Photographic Memories by The Oberstadts

New year, big surprises!

2012-01-05T08:43:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone :)

We had a wonderful 2011 filled with many photo shoots and we captured many smiles and great memories. One of our goals for 2012 is to become better bloggers and keep you all updated with the inner workings of Photographic Memories!

Stay tuned for an update about next weekend's New York wedding and the preparation that comes with an out-of-state photo shoot. We can't wait!

2011 has been filled with exciting changes!

2011-07-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

Photographic Memories (as we know it) has grown beyond our wildest dreams.
Heidi became a published photographic artist this March in SCENE, a central Wisconsin publication.

We've done an impressive number of photoshoots this year- starting off the new year right with Avery and Davey's beautiful wedding in Wausau. That beautiful shoot was followed with a whirlwind of variety:
Scarlet Curve's promo photos in Stevens Point
Photojournalism from the labor protests in Madison
Dalzhouse in Appleton
Trout Unlimited's State Convention in Stevens Point
Hannah and Mike's engagement photos in Stevens Point
Justine Karen Hoffman's ADORABLE baby photos in Chicago
Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo at the Barrymore in Madison
Kendra and Jake's rainy day engagement session in Stevens Point
Jenilee and Zach's engagement photos along the river in Stevens Point
Adam and Kate's engagement photos at Lawrence in Appleton
Andrew Charles Brown's Easter Sunday baby portraits
Danny and Becky's engagement photos in Wausau (with ice cream!)
Scott and Madeline's gorgeous wedding in Appleton
Angelic baby photos (literally!) of Cian Cleveland in Stevens Point
Hannah and Mike's Memorial Day weekend wedding in Stevens Point
Jamie and Corey's engagement photos around the capital in Madison
Kari and Davin's engagement photos starting in Schmeekle Reserve in Stevens Point
Photojournalism at the 2011 MREA Energy Fair in CusterBaby Lee Lavigne's one-year old ballpark photos in Waunakee
Devon and Christy's long-distance-bridging photos in Stevens Point
Lifest 2011- being a crazy "ninjagrapher" in Oshkosh for 5 days
Curtis and Melissa's beautiful golf-course wedding in Minneapolis
Jenilee and Zach's sweet wedding ceremony in Plover
"The AIR Project presents: Happenings" at the Rising Star Mill in Nelsonville
and last, but certainly not least, Brelyn Elizabeth Rogue's baby photos at the park in Wausau.

Anxious to join the list? Our summer and fall (and 2012!) are filling up quickly, but send us an email at: heidi@theoberstadts.com and we'll fit you in! :)

I guess it's time to play catch up...

2010-08-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

I admit it, I've been a bad blogger. I take full responsibility. :(

However, the organized Virgo in me is ready to make up for lost time. Please- pop some popcorn, grab a soda, sit down, and get ready for a whirlwind tour of the summer so far. :)

We will start way back in May, on the 15th, at the lovely wedding of my dearest friend Tiffany Balz to Mr. Handsome, a.k.a. Jason Clark. I've known Tiffany since first grade in Mrs. Gifford's class... so, needless to say, we have many, MANY memories together. We traveled to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for this event. I did some shooting in the morning, with the ladies at the salon, and I did the cake cutting, but my main role was... brace yourself... lead ukulele player. :) Brian and I played all the music for the ceremony, so there was ukulele and saxophone, some Sigur Ros on piano, and a little guitar and vocals.

It was a beautiful day with good friends, although it is taking me a long time to get used to the name Tiffany Clark. :) We love you guys!!

The next big event of the summer is a pretty serious one.

On June 29th, I had a total thyroidectomy. I've had problems with my thyroid for about five years, but the complications reached the point of no return, so I went under the knife.
It has been a somewhat tricky recovery- due to the size of the incision and the hormonal changes as I switched to synthetic thyroid hormone. The scar makes me feel like one tough cookie! Luckily, I am on the upswing, and almost back at 100%. I've resumed my training for the Fox Cities Marathon on September 19th, and I am able to continue working hard on this wonderful photography business! :)

A couple short weeks later, we were able to shoot the wedding of Katie and Jason Folwarski in Wausau, Wisconsin. They were married at the beautiful St. Therese in Rothschild (where WE were married!), and it was a gorgeous wedding day. We found a covered bridge to play under, and a stretch limo is ALWAYS fun!

Congratulations, Katie and Jason!!

Shortly after the Folwarski celebration, I had an opportunity to reconnect with the LaVigne family. Katie has started our summer of Delta Omicron photos... she is one of our Delta Omicron sisters! We have a history with this beautiful couple... here is a recap, from wedding to maternity... :)

Well, as it turns out, that little baby is a BOY! Welcome to the world, baby Lee! And what a beautiful doll he turned out to be. Take a peek!

You're right, Leon... I think he's going to grow up to be a great ball player! :)

Congratulations, LaVigne family, we're so happy for you!

Next stop on the Oberstadt summer tour took us to DeForest, Wisconsin on July 24th, for the wedding of Delta Omicron sister Becky Schultz to John Rush. This wedding was altogether too much fun! I had a wonderful time with the ladies while they were getting ready, and Brian had fun with the gentlemen- playing with their portable disc golf basket!!

The music was provided by a wonderful chamber quintet, and the reception was filled with really personalized details of the couple.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Rush, we send lots of love from your Delta Omicron siblings, and thank you for inviting us to share your day!

...And then there was Brendan and Luda. Brendan is one of my most admired and respected professors from the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point. When I found out he was marrying Luda, the gorgeous and hilarious sweetheart from overseas, I jumped at the chance to capture their day. Their hot, August wedding was was on the 7th and 8th, in Waupaca, Wisconsin. This wedding brought friends and family from all over the country to celebrate in the Caldwell style! The music was astounding; it brought together musicians from different areas and backgrounds to perform and connect in a way that words can't describe- I hope our images speak for themselves. :) Saturday's party was hosted by the Buchman family, Sunday's ceremony was at Red Mill Chapel, and Sunday's party was brought to us on a boat on the beautiful chain of lakes.

As you can imagine, I was one wiped out photographer after this party!

Congratulations, Brendan and Luda, we are blessed to have shared your big day with you.

Avery and Davey. Even their names are adorable together. Avery Cance is another Delta Omicron sister, and she graced our presence on our wedding day with her beautiful horn playing in a quartet. We got together this week, on an INCREDIBLY humid day in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, to play in the park and capture some engagement portraits...

We're excited for your January wedding, Avery and Davey! See you then, if not before!

Please stay tuned for more August weddings: the August 13th wedding of Jennifer and Matt and the August 21st wedding of Kelly and Jeffrey!

Baby LaVigne

2010-04-29T12:30:00.001-07:00

Is it a boy? Maybe a girl?
Who knows!

I tried putting my X-Ray Superman Vision Lens Filter on the camera before the photos, but no luck. I guess I'll have to wait until it is time for newborn photos. :)

Brian and I shot the wedding of our friends Leon and Katie LaVigne, and they came back for more! Here is a little preview...

I'm so excited for the two of you! Your love for each other and for your baby shines through all these pictures. :) Best wishes for a comfortable delivery, and we're anxiously awaiting the opportunity to take some newborn photos!

love,
.:heidi:.

A whirlwind trip...

2010-04-29T10:36:00.000-07:00

The Oberstadts have safely arrived back in Wisconsin. :)

Ready for a recap?

We were able to squeeze in a photo session with Stephanie and Barry the evening before we flew out to the East coast. The weather was beautiful, and the sunset was extraordinary!

Barry is a devoted Green Bay Packer fan, so of COURSE we took some shots in honor of the greatest football team ever. I'm not a biased blogger at all! ;)

We had such a great time playing around with them and the camera, and we can hardly wait until their wedding day! :) Thank you for letting us be creative and crazy!

Of course, we stayed up way too late that night: last-minute packing! We didn't want to forget any important equipment... and Brian had to find space in our luggage for my several pairs of shoes. :) I heard that people are trendy over there on the East coast... I didn't want to look like a tourist!

We carpooled to the airport with our friend, Devon, who was flying out to visit his parents in Alaska; he brought his father an ADORABLE puppy. I can't think of a better way to pass time in the terminal!

Our flights were wonderful, everything was easy as pie. We spent the next few days exploring Maryland, doing a little sightseeing, and shooting the rehearsal and wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Bobby McQuin. :) Megan... the woman formerly known to me as Ms. Moss... planned a beautiful wedding surrounded by lots of family. :) We made a print of this image, taken at their rehearsal, and gave it to them at the ceremony. Bobby had given a very sweet little speech referencing the phrase that I placed on the image...

Their wedding was in a beautiful location: St. Paul Catholic Church in Damascus, MD. The love radiating from all the guests was really something that you had to be there to experience... although I tried to capture the magic of that day! :)

Congratulations, Bobby and Megan! We're so happy for you, and we are so blessed that you chose us to share your special day!
P.S. Your families ROCK! Thank you for taking us in and treating us like your own. :)

The day after the wedding, I decided to run a 10K. I had seen signs for it, the Pikes Peek 10K, around Gaithersburg and Bethesda, MD. So, I slept like a rock on Saturday night, and woke up bright and early on Sunday morning. It was a great race...

I set a PR... 58:23! :)

The rest of the trip was filled with all sorts of fun things... we rented kayaks and paddled on the Potomac River in DC, I ran (and almost broke my ankle!) in Georgetown, and we ate sushi and enjoyed the scenery (along with Orioles v. Yankees traffic) in Baltimore.

Our flights home were a little turbulent but mostly uneventful, and we are happy to be home, in our house, with our dog. :) Thanks for all the memories, everyone!

love always,
.:heidi:.

Samantha Theuring

2009-12-03T01:09:00.000-08:00

I had the pleasure of shooting Sam's Senior flute recital at UWSP.

This woman is amazing.

She can make her flute sound like so many things... it can be sweet, or funky, or soft and expressive, or percussive and rhythmic. The creativity shown by all the musicians (and our colleagues) made this experience one I won't forget.

a piece written by a UWSP composer, Matt Muelling

Thanks, Sam and company...
love always,
.:heidi:.

Margaret and Jason!

2009-11-02T18:12:00.000-08:00

We were lucky enough to spend a beautifully drizzly fall day with this couple. Their heartfelt ceremony took place at the bride's church in Scandinavia, and was filled with family and friends.
The ceremony was at (the always beautiful) Sentry World, and we had a lot of fun playing outside in the rain!

Congratulations, Margaret and Jason!
love,
.:heidi:.

Austin

2009-11-02T15:51:00.000-08:00

I met Austin for the first time when Brian and I were walking into Polito's (a pizza place in downtown Stevens Point). As I walked in the door, Austin stuck out his almost-two-year-old hand to shake mine! He is just the most animated toddler, and I was chomping at the bit to get him on the other side of my lens.

This sweet Southern family called me "Miss Heidi..."
love,
.:miss heidi:.

Thomas, Ethan, and Alex

2009-11-02T15:24:00.000-08:00

I had the most amazing Halloween this year.
I got to spend the chilly afternoon and evening with the most ADORABLE 9-year-old triplets:
Thomas, Ethan, and Alex... and their dad, Michael.

Luckily, I was able to get past the fact that all three are VIKING fans!! ;)

It sounds crazy, but I fell in love with these little guys! We had a TON of fun...
love, as always,
.:heidi:.

Cormac!

2009-11-02T15:03:00.001-08:00

Brian and I had the pleasure to hang out with our friends Erin and Nate last month, and we were lucky enough to have brought our cameras... just in time to catch little Cormac being the shining star that he is. :)

We love you, Erin, Nate, and Cormac! :)
Thanks for the wonderful evening!
love, as always...
.:heidi:.

Emily!

2009-10-12T16:53:00.001-07:00

We had so much fun with Emily (and her sister and mom) when we got together to shoot her senior portraits this week.

Check out this beautiful girl!!!

Emily and her sister, Kasey, surrounded by the beauty of fall in central Wisconsin!

We both had a great time with you, ladies! Thanks for allowing us to make these memories!

love, as always,
.:heidi:.

Melissa and Danny!

2009-10-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to have perfect fall weather and perfect timing for our shoot: Schmeekle Reserve (where he proposed), Bukolt Park, and downtown Stevens Point!

Melissa and Danny are a very sweet, friendly couple, and we are looking forward to spending their winter wedding day with them!

Here is a little preview to some of these beautiful fall photos! :)

We can't wait to capture the beautiful images that will arise from your winter wedding!

love,
.:heidi:.

Kelly and Jeffrey!

2009-09-20T14:10:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Kelly and Jeffrey, who just booked us for their August 21st, 2010 wedding in Stevens Point!
We're VERY excited about this couple and their unique and creative wedding plans!

love,
.:heidi:.

Aden Hubbard

2009-09-16T16:54:00.001-07:00

Hello, everyone!

As part of my portfolio development, I have started an intense (but fun!) study of newborns, infants, and toddlers!

Check back often for more images of these little darlings!

I now introduce you to...
Aden Hubbard!

The afternoon that Aden had his first "modeling" session, he was feeling cranky and had also just discovered his own tongue.
Around that 7 weeks old age... he was just full of faces to show the camera!

love, as always,
.:heidi:.

Katie and Jason's Engagement Session

2009-09-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

We had a REALLY fun Saturday morning with Katie and Jason.

We played at the park...

...and downtown...
Gosh, I love that phone booth!

We are looking forward to spending the big day with this funny, cute couple!

We hope you two like these photos as much as we do...

love, as always,
.:heidi:.

Congratulations, Melissa and Danny!

2009-09-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Melissa and Danny for booking us for their January 8th, 2010 wedding!

We're excited for the unique situations that a peaceful winter wedding day will bring! :)

love,
.:heidi:.

Jason and Amber!

2009-08-13T11:18:00.000-07:00

We had such a FANTASTIC time shooting this wedding.......
it was filled to the brim with Texas details, through and through! The bride and groom met while in school at Texas A&M, hired us while still living in Texas, and brought all their friends and family from Texas on up to Waupaca, WI, for the ceremony and reception! :)

The bride and groom showed off their dancing skills... and Amber's gorgeous dress!

This dock has special meaning to the family- they have had TONS of portraits taken on it over the years!

Thank you, Jason and Amber!
We had such a good time, we're trying to plan a trip down to Texas OURSELVES!

With love,
.:heidi:.

Danielle and Brett

2009-07-28T15:30:00.000-07:00

We had so much fun with this couple on their wedding day in June that they came up to Stevens Point to visit us for a post-wedding photo shoot! We played at the park and closed off the day with a beautiful sunset and a Stevens Point classic- Belts ice cream!

Thank you for coming up to visit, Danielle and Brett!!
love,
.:heidi:.

Catherine and Chad

2009-06-22T21:47:00.000-07:00

Catherine and Chad's (truly southern) Alabama shore wedding!

Catherine has been a friend of mine for quite a few years- we met working together in college, and we both have degrees in the arts. It has been wonderful to see the way Chad makes Catherine smile, and I'm so happy that Brian and I were able to participate in their big day in such a special way! Catherine chose me as her matron of honor, and Brian did most of the photography for the day. I did have a unique vantage point, however...

Catherine and I, as I anchored her veil in her hair.

An incredible experience, complete with NINETY degree temperatures and sweet tea!
We can't wait to go back and visit....

love,
.:heidi:.

The Beckman Family

2009-06-22T18:01:00.001-07:00

We were able to spend Memorial Day with the Beckman family and their out-of-town extended family... what a perfect opportunity for some new family portraits! It was a beautiful day and a beautiful setting, so we spent the afternoon outside...

Family portraits can tucker out even the most resilient baby! :)

...and the whole crew. What a lovely family!

Thank you, everyone! It was wonderful to work with you.

love,
.:heidi:.

Danielle and Brett!!

2009-06-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

An INCREDIBLY fun day...
A few sprinkles...
A botanical garden...
True love...
...and a farm party!
We had so much fun with these two, we feel like old friends!
Congratulations!

Who knew bringing up the gifts for communion would be SO fun!?

love, as always,

.:heidi:.

p.s. we can't WAIT to shoot your barn photos!

Kristen and Steve

2009-06-15T22:28:00.000-07:00

What a sweet couple! Thank you for choosing us to share your day, Kristen and Steve!
We really enjoyed spending the afternoon with you last month.
A beautiful, sunny summer day...
A very sweet, classic Lutheran ceremony in Kronenwetter...

Can you see their family resemblance?

love,
.:heidi:.

Finally home...

2009-06-14T15:44:00.000-07:00

Mobile to Dallas....
Dallas to Cedar Rapids...
Cedar Rapids to Chicago...
Chicago to Mosinee...

Four flights later, we are home from Catherine and Chad's Alabama beach wedding.
Images will be posted soon....

.:heidi:.

A vow renewal...

2009-05-31T19:25:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful day with Samantha and Jonathon Goodreau.

Despite a few sprinkles during the ceremony, the wedding party (and guests) escaped unscathed and proceeded to enjoy themselves during the reception!

Thank you for inviting us to spend the day with you, Mr. and Mrs. Goodreau!

.:heidi:.

A Little More Fight...

2009-05-11T15:26:00.000-07:00

So proud of my friend, Danny... he just played a sold-out CD release show here in Stevens Point.

He's close to our hearts- I've known him for my entire undergraduate career and he played and sang at our wedding. It's hard to believe how time flies...

What a talented, kind guy... best of luck to him with his future in Nashville!

love,
.:heidi:.

Congratulations, Jen and Todd!

2009-05-09T08:23:00.001-07:00

We were able to spend an early spring Saturday morning with Jen, an elementary music school teacher, and Todd, a charming firefighter. Their personalities just played off each other in the most adorable way, and their love is so obvious! We had a great time, and we're looking forward to working with them on their big day!

Love,
.:heidi:.

Soiree Musicale 2009

2009-05-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

On April 24th, I was lucky enough to photograph the guests, musicians, and students involved with the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point's Soiree Musicale 2009.

Here are just a few of my noteworthy shots of the evening.

Prof. Roseman with guest alumnus Sam Handley

Scholarship recipients and the donors who make them possible

During intermission, lightning lured the "jazz kids" outside...

Prof. Mathew Buchman directing the UWSP Jazz Ensemble

The UWSP Jazz Ensemble with guest alumnus Kelvin Kaspar

Vocalists in their prime...

UWSP Piano Faculty, past and present

A few clarinetists/scholarship winners/lovely ladies

Love,
.:heidi:.

Congratulations, Ben and Carolyn!

2009-04-08T07:58:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Ben and Carolyn for booking us for their July 10th, 2009 wedding!

We had the opportunity to spend some time with them shooting their engagement portraits recently. What a wonderful, hopeful, inspiring couple! Oh, young love...

Congratulations, Mara and Paul!

2009-04-08T07:45:00.001-07:00

We have completed the images from our newborn portrait session of the sweet Chloe Beckman. What a beautiful, peaceful baby girl.

Here's some proof of how adorable she really is...

Congratulations!

2009-02-27T11:54:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Katie and Jason for booking us for their July 10th, 2010 wedding! We're looking forward to your summer engagement portrait session!

Congratulations!

2009-02-11T19:32:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the Goodreau family for booking us for their vow renewal on May 9th, 2009!

Congratulations to Catherine and Chad for booking us for their destination wedding on the Alabama shore on June 13th, 2009!

Congratulations to Jaime and Karl for booking us for their August 8th, 2009 wedding!

Congratulations to the Novak and Wieser families for finalizing their wedding plans and booking us for their October 3rd, 2009 wedding!

Landscapes?

2009-02-11T19:25:00.000-08:00

Brian and I have been spending our weekends studying nature and landscape photography with my mentor and dear friend, Bill Gardner.

I started this mentorship with the idea that by learning more about landscape photography, I could become a better portrait photographer. I didn't know that I would learn more about myself as an artist, take better pictures to begin with, or become even more comfortable with my camera.

For the last two Sundays, we have spent the early morning hours out in the cold and snow waiting for the sunrise. We've been having an incredible time... and our images truly reflect this.

I will have new photos to post shortly.

Congratulations!

2009-02-02T21:02:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Amber and Christopher for booking their wedding with us for July 25th, 2009!

Congratulations!

2009-01-26T12:03:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Danielle and Brett for finalizing plans on their June 6th, 2009 wedding! We're looking forward to spending the day with you!

Reflection in my subjects...

2009-01-10T09:40:00.000-08:00

For the last week and half of my winter break before practicum, I've thrown myself into learning about the masters: some of those portrait photographers who have changed popular culture... especially those who have changed it without meaning to.

So far, the greatest point of personal reflection for me has been realizing how a subject changes in the face of the photographer. Not the camera, but the photographer.

Comparing images of Leibovitz and Arbus, for example. I was reading the writings of these artists, and I really agree with Annie Leibovitz. She discusses how she is too nice to get the types of photos that Diane Arbus gets. Not saying that Diane isn't nice... I've obviously never met either of these ladies! Their character brings out different qualities in their subjects, and it is actually quite apparant, if you take the time and awareness to look for it.

It's interesting to think that people are not always posing for the camera... they may be posing for the photographer. I've always tried to identify other artists' portraits by the way they are framed, or the colors, or the exposure, or the types of subjects that they choose. What an interesting way to be identified- by the artists' reflection in the subject. Subtle, but powerful. Now I'm going to tear through our portfolios and see if I can see Brian and I in our photos- maybe even tell them apart? :)

.:heidi:.

new packages!

2009-01-07T23:58:00.001-08:00

Hello- friends, clients, and cyberspace strangers:

Due to popular demand, Brian and I have created new packages designed specifically for weddings, senior portraits, babies, and families. Our new business layout became effective January 1st, 2009.

Please send us a message if you're interested in finding out the new options and pricing!

http://oberstadtphotographicmemories.com

-The Oberstadts (Heidi, mostly)

p.s.- Wish us luck on our first year of L.L.C. taxes! Thank you, Tina Mandeville of Precise Accounting in Madison! We love you!

Happy days for our friends...

2009-01-02T19:49:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Ben and Carolyn for booking us for their July 10th, 2009 wedding!

Congratulations to Jennifer and Todd for booking us and finalizing the date of their wedding for October 2nd, 2010!

Welcome!

2009-01-02T19:46:00.000-08:00

Hello, friends!

The Oberstadts and Photographic Memories, L.L.C. have officially entered the blogging world. Keep in touch for new photos and information! Talk to you soon!

- Brian and Heidi

Katie and Leon

2009-01-02T19:37:00.000-08:00

Katie and Leon
November 1st, 2008

Brian and I headed down to Watertown, WI for the LaVigne wedding. It was a beautiful day, warm and mostly sunny. It was also a beautiful wedding. Many of the details of the wedding reminded us of the couple- such as wedding pie, instead of cake, and a ceremony that included a vocal choir, a handbell choir, and a trumpet choir!

Here are some of our favorite photos from their wedding.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. LaVigne!