Photographer:  Melanie Landro Photography

Ceremony: St. Mary Roman Catholic Church

Venue: UpperEast

Florals: Flowers for Dreams

Bride's Dress:  All About the Gown

Cake: Oliver's Bakery

Music: Delta Disc Jockey's

Assisting Photographer: Basil Creek Photography

Thank you for visiting.  If you would like to book Melanie Landro Photography

for your own wedding,  I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.

Photographer:  Melanie Landro Photography

Ceremony & Reception: The Gardens Wedding Center

Florals: Flowers for Dreams

Bride's Dress:  Bliss Bridal

Groom Attire: Mike Bjorns

Cake: Sweet Discoveries

Music: Ramon Rivera

Assisting Photographer: Basil Creek Photography

Videographer:  Ethan O Rourke

Thank you for visiting.  If you would like to book Melanie Landro Photography

for your own wedding,  we would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.

Photographer:  Melanie Landro Photography

Venue: Providence Vineyard

Wedding Planner: Joy by Jay Events

Florals: by bride

Bride's Dress:  Martina Liana

Cake: Bennison's Bakery

Music: Kidron Music

Assisting Photographer: Basil Creek Photography

Thank you for visiting.  Need a wedding photographer?  I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.

Photographer:  Melanie Landro Photography

Venue: UpperEast Kenosha

Assisting Photographer: Basil Creek Photography

Thank you for visiting.  Need a wedding photographer?  I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.

Photography: Melanie Landro Photography

Venue:  The DeKoven Center

Florals: by bride

Cake: O&H Bakery

Wedding Gown: Dantela Bridal Couture

Bridal H&M: Janette Wence

Groom's Attire: Men's Warehouse

Assisting Photographer:  Basil Creek Photography

Thank you for visiting.  Need a wedding photographer?  I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.

Portraits Photographer:  Melanie Landro Photography

Portrait Location: Hawthorn Hollow

Reception Photographer: Basil Creek Photography

Thank you for visiting.  Need a wedding photographer?  I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.

Photographer:  Melanie Landro Photography

Venue: The Vault

Florals: Flowers by Trellis

Bride's Gown:  Bon Bon Belle

Hair & Makeup: Beauty by Jaide

Groom's Attire: Bjorns

Cake: Lovin Oven

Music: Daniel Garcia

Videography:  JY Films

Assisting Photographer: Basil Creek Photography

Thank you for visiting.  Need a wedding photographer?  I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.

Photographer:  Melanie Landro Photography

Venue: Bristol Oaks Country Club

Assisting Photographer: Basil Creek Photography

Thank you for visiting.  Need a wedding photographer?  I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting.  If you are in need of a wedding photographer, I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

NOW BOOKING 2021 WEDDINGS

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting.  If you are in need of a wedding photographer, I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

NOW BOOKING

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting.  If you need a photographer, I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting.  If you need a photographer, I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting.  If you need a photographer, I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting.  If you need a photographer, I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

So I'm bringing this one up to the surface for an easier find and read. 

If you're a couple planning your own wedding right now, and reading this still leaves you with any questions, please reach out.  I'd love to chat with you and help if I can.   

Why you may want to consider a First Look. www.melanielandrophotography.com/blog

The “First Look” is a newer-ish wedding day phenomenon that has started becoming more and more popular with brides and grooms.  However, if you haven’t actually sat down to consider the reasons behind WHY you may want to opt for a “First Look”, as opposed to the traditional “Altar Look”, you may not really understand it and the benefits to doing one.  And you may not really know if it’s something you would like to do, or not.  It’s very untraditional for most people, so that right there is usually a turn off for couples that don’t understand the reasons of WHY behind a First Look.

Every couple should do what’s truly best for them, their personal timeline, and their desires for their special day.  There is no right or wrong way to lay out your wedding and your first glance at your love.   So no matter what you learn about a first look, whether from me or someone else, do whatever sits right with you.

 
So keeping in mind I am not trying to persuade anyone into doing a first look, or not, but strictly offering some information and education, here are some reasons some couples choose to do a first look, and some benefits to having one. 

1.  It’s sometimes the only option for beautiful portraits during daylight.

I met with a couple one summer to talk about their wedding day details and photography, who had a gorgeous ceremony and reception location right up the road from the equally gorgeous lake Geneva.  They had a beautiful vision for their portraits being taken at the park nearby the ceremony location, and then out on a pier over the lake, with the glowing, setting sun behind them and their wedding party.  The photographic vision was perfect.  I loved it.

But I then had to bring up the fact that the sun sets at a much different time of day in October than in June.  In October, when their wedding date was, we would only have about 30 minutes to try and get to the park and lake after the ceremony and then capture any portraits before the sun was gone.  30 minutes is not enough time to shoot family portraits, wedding party portraits, and bride/groom portraits.  Not even considering time for transportation.

Well, those beautiful portraits she envisioned did happen – but it was only possible because we added a first look to their timeline earlier in the day, before the actual ceremony.  It was the best decision ever for them!  They had their first look (it was a beautiful tear jerker), and then we took the majority of their wedding party portraits, family portraits, and bride/groom portraits.  This gave us the opportunity to then still make it down to the pier to catch the beautiful setting sun after the ceremony for a few shots.  Having taken all those portraits earlier in the day, made it possible for us to capture the photos they wanted at sunset by the lake.  And those sunset portraits were breathless!

If you hold off on all your portraits until after the ceremony, and you have an evening ceremony, you may only have 30-60 minutes before the sun sets and all your photos will need to be taken with flash or other lighting options.  If you love the look of flash photography and night photography, and are cool with that being the majority of your portraits, then that’s prefect for you!  If you love the look of photos that are taken when there is some sun and natural light available outside, however, then you could definitely benefit from having a first look before the ceremony, and taking some of your portraits earlier, when there is still day light.

My husband and I actually did this before it was a “thing” when we married over 10 years ago.  We had an evening, candle-lit ceremony, so portraits after the ceremony just wasn’t possible given we definitely wanted some taken with natural light outside among the beautiful, natural foliage.

It’s strictly a personal preference!

2.  It can make your schedule and timeline for the day less hectic.

It can be a LOT to fit in – family portraits, wedding party portraits, bride/groom portraits, detail shots of the reception location, cocktail hour, … there can be a lot to try and capture when considering the photography while still trying to enjoy the day after becoming husband and wife.  Having the first look before the ceremony, with some portraits to follow, helps ease the flow of the rest of the day a bit.

It breaks the photography up a bit, and spaces the portraits out more so it doesn’t seem like one long photoshoot after your ceremony, too.  If you think you’ll be torn between wanting to capture as many beautiful shots as possible, versus being able to let your lipstick diminish and enjoy some of the cocktail hour with your friends and family you’ve invited to celebrate with, this might be a very real benefit for you.   Or at the very least, just not feel so rushed.

This ‘less hectic’ timeline does appeal to some couples as we’re talking about their timeline and the details of everything.  For some couples, it might be the only way to make the day actually flow the way they really would like it to.

3.  You’ll likely end up with more portraits of you and your love.

When you have a first look, you end up having more time in your schedule for portraits because the pressure of fitting them in between your ceremony and reception isn’t there, AND there’s a good chance you’ll still end up taking a few shots after the ceremony even if you do have a first look beforehand.

4.  You won’t waste your wedding day hiding from each other.

Seriously. (I kind of agree with this one.) Even if you have yet to be married, if you’ve ever been in a bridal party you’ve likely witnessed the ever–crazy doings of making sure the soon-to-be-wed couple don’t see each other!  It truly can add a level of stress to the hours leading up to the ceremony.  You have bridesmaids standing guard at every corner as the bride moves through the building, and you have groomsmen on the lookout for safe passage from one room to another.  AND after all of that, there are still the occasional times the bride and groom will still end up accidentally seeing each other.  I’ve witnessed it!  It can be very disappointing for the couple if they are striving to NOT see each other before the ceremony.  Who needs all this unnecessary stress?!

Doing a first look avoids this whole scenario for couples that this doesn’t appeal to, and gives them the opportunity to spend more time together on one of the most special days and moments of their lives.   And the intimacy … I think everyone assumes that having a first look will take away from the amazing moment of seeing each other for the first time as you walk into the room and towards the altar. IF this is a concern for you, there is nothing that can take away from the moment your love steps into the room and is about to join you at the altar to become one and say “I do”.  I’ve witnessed it, rest assured.  A first look will not take away the magnitude of that moment.  They are two entirely different moments really.  Your first look is private, and special in its own way, and doesn’t diminish the actual moment of becoming husband and wife.  At least, I’ve never seen it do so, and yet I know this is a main concern for most couples when considering a first look or not.

Perhaps because a first look simply goes against generations of tradition?  If we consider the fact that this tradition actually came from the days of prearranged marriages, when the couple to be married didn't even know each other, they were kept from seeing each other until the very moment they were at the altar so no one changed their mind and tried ‘running’ if they didn’t like what they saw. This reason doesn’t really hold water in today’s society.  It’s just “a tradition” now.
      
5.  It takes away pressure and possible stress.

There can be so much build up to not seeing each other until you are ready to walk down the aisle.  ‘Anxiousness’ might be the perfect word here for some.   I’m not saying you are anxious about the marriage, but that you can be anxious about the wedding day going smoothly.  Having a first look can take that pressure away for some couples.  It does not take away from the amazing moment of seeing your soon-to-be spouse walking towards you to finally become one – just all the anxiousness for that moment to be so perfect and the pinnacle of the day.  I think the pinnacle is actually the moment you say, “I do”.  Right?

   
6.  It can turn into the only time you’re actually alone all day.

Really?  You’re thinking, “No.  Not possible.  It’s our wedding! Of course we’ll be spending the day together and have some alone time.”  Well, actually, you’re wedding day is anything but ‘alone time’ for you and your husband/wife.  Unless if you’re eloping, it’s a day that will be spent with everyone close to you – family and friends – and nope, no alone time until you leave the reception.  Having a first look actually gives you alone time.  And very special, intimate alone time at that.

For a first look, I will of course set things up so the photographic opportunities are at their best, and then I will step back to give you a few moments alone.  Whether you take those moments to just hold each other and wipe the happy tears away, and tell each other how excited you are to say “I do”, or to talk about what you had for lunch and how getting dressed went, it’s up to you.  But either way, having those private moments together, alone, to breathe and relax, before saying “I do” sounds pretty amazing to some couples.

I think bottom line, it comes down to timeline for most couples, and what they want to fit in to their day, and how stressed they may or may not be doing so.   Think about what works for you and your timeline, and what you are hoping to get out of the day.  

If you are reading this and have already married, did YOU do a first look?  Leave a comment below to share with other future brides on your own experience with it.  Pro's?  Cons?  Did you love it?  Anything you would have changed?      

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting.  If you need a photographer, I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting.  If you need a photographer, I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

They say there are two gifts we should give our children: one is roots, and the other is wings.  I remember being a new mom and really “hearing” this saying for the first time.  It stuck with me.  The saying, “Be the change you want to see in the world”, has also always stuck with me.  They don't just have to be inspirational memes to share on Facebook; they can be words to ignite real action.   Project Beauty Kenosha was an opportunity for so many parents and families to do just that. 

It was an honor to host the inaugural Project Beauty sessions earlier this month, giving our daughters stronger roots, and the opportunity to help our girls rise above the pressures of perfection found among peers, social media and society. 

Thank you to everyone that supported the project and shared the news of the project.  Thank you to everyone that sponsored the project.  And thank you to all the brave girls and families that participated in the project and took a step toward being the change we want to see for ourselves, our children and our community.

25% of the proceeds from "Project Beauty" sessions were donated to Kenosha's local organization of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to support and help raise awareness of depression, suicide, eating disorders, bullying and those victimized by sexual violence, and to support the services NAMI can help provide to those in need.

Melanie Landro Photography's "Project Beauty" sessions hope to bring a positive light to some of the mental health issues our youth and families experience and to help normalize conversations so more of our children, and adults, feel comfortable seeking help and support when needed.

**I hope to schedule future Project Beauty sessions soon.  And although the inaugural event was focused on our young girls, the message of Project Beauty can apply to anyone, of any age, of any gender.  I hope to have enough interest for future sessions for our boys, as well.**

To participate in future Project Beauty Sessions, please CONNECT with me.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting.  If you need a photographer, I would love to connect.  Please submit your details HERE.

Last year I wrote an article to help couples decide if having a "First Look" was the right thing to do for your own wedding, or not.  (You can read it HERE.)  I'm so happy to see that hundreds of you have read the article!  I hope it's been helpful for most of you.  A recent conversation I had with a prospective couple made me think about those of you that know you do NOT want to have a First Look, but would love to have an intimate moment to connect, for just the two of you.  

If you and your partner do not want to do a First Look, but would love to have an intimate moment, some sort of connection in the day, before the ceremony, what are your options?  Anything?  Absolutely.

1. Write a Love Letter To One Another. 

Writing a love letter is a wonderful way to feel "connected" to each other if you choose to not have a first look and see each other prior to the ceremony.   It can be emotional or funny, or a combination of the two.  Either way, it's something to consider.  As your photographer, I can quietly document the special moment, as well.  Whether the love letter makes you laugh or cry tears of joy, it can be a very emotional and special moment you may want to remember through a photograph.   My motto - the details of the day help tell your whole wedding day story.   HERE is an article on Brides.com that goes into more detail on love letters for your wedding day. 

2. Exchange Gifts

Another way to feel connected with one another on your wedding day, is to exchange gifts.  Have a staff member at the venue or hotel, or someone in the wedding party, deliver the gift to your fiance the morning of your wedding day.  Or some time during the day after you've parted ways to prepare.  And again, you can choose to wait to open the gift until your photographer arrives so that you can have the special moment captured.

3. Have a "First Touch"

Some times when the nerves start getting high as you prepare during the day, all it takes to calm you is a simple touch from your soulmate.  Simply have your family or wedding party help coordinate bringing you to where the other is preparing, or anywhere in your venue, so as not to accidentally walk in on each other.  You can both stay on opposite sides of the door, opened just enough to hold hands and hear each others voice, or stand around a corner from one another, still out of sight but close enough to connect by holding hands and whisper lovingly.

4. Plan a Surprise

Who doesn't love a surprise from your partner?  Plan ahead to do something sweet and simple enough to actually pull off sometime during your wedding day activities and preparation.  Write a love letter that you hide in your fiance's ditty bag, or hide it somewhere you know they will find during the day.  Plan ahead to decorate your car with flowers or ribbons as a surprise for when you part ways that morning or the night before.  Have a single rose delivered.  There are many small ways you can surprise each other.

5. Teaser Text Messages

If none of the above are quite your thing, or you run out of time to properly prepare something for your soon-to-be spouse, simply send "teaser" photos back and forth throughout the day via your cell phones.  It can be a playful way to stay connected during the getting ready part of the day while still not seeing each other.  

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting.  If you need a photographer, I would love to connect.  Submit your details HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting and supporting your local artist.

If you have an upcoming session with me in November or December or beyond, …if are considering scheduling a photo session in the winter months, …or if you’ve never considered a session outdoors in the winter months because you don’t think it’s a good option – this post is for you. 

Outdoor photo sessions during the winter months can be just as beautiful as the images we create during a session in the spring, summer or fall.  Every season has its own special beauty, including winter.   The end goal of every session I have with a client is to not only capture you in a beautiful environment, but to capture an image that really evokes the love and beautiful emotion between you and your fiancé, spouse, or family.  An image that tells your own story, and the beauty of your story for this time in your life.  So whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, we’re going to capture that beautiful relationship and the love between you – the landscape and environment is just going to look a little different from season to season.   

The biggest difference is, well, it’s cold in the winter.  That can cause some question as to "what to wear" for your session, or prevent some people from booking their own outdoor photo session during this time of year.  Or it might cause some to cancel their session, or even never consider it as an option to begin with.  My hope is that this blog post well help more of you, with all of this.

Since we live in Wisconsin, it’s cold out for about 6 months of the year.  That’s HALF the year!  From November to early April we can expect the possibility of snow.  If you didn’t get your session scheduled during the “busy” season for outdoor photography – May to October – don’t let that stop you from considering booking one in the colder months.  All you have to do is prepare a bit differently. 

Below are the same tips I give all my clients who book with me when the possibility for cold weather comes up.  If you take these tips to heart, and spend a little time in the days or weeks before your session preparing with these tips in mind, your session will be a wonderful experience with beautiful photos to treasure afterwards. 

This time last year, I had an engagement session scheduled with Kim and Noah.  It was mid-November, temps in the low/mid 30’s, raining in the morning, but we didn’t cancel the session.  We knew the weather wouldn’t be holding any promises for something warmer or sunnier any time soon, so we continued on with our plans.  Their wedding was in the upcoming spring, so it was now or never, and they definitely wanted to capture their engagement and have beautiful photos of this time of their life. 

The session was beautiful.  Kim and Noah did an amazing job preparing for their session and really put some thought into each of the tips I gave them to prepare – and it paid off.  They got the most out of their session, and a gallery full of beautiful images to enjoy and share and treasure forever.  I’ve included some of their images, and others, to inspire you. 

I hope these tips help some of you with making it easier to prepare for your own cold weather session, or to inspire you to consider one in the future if you haven’t before.  Enjoy!

TIP 1: Bring a blanket.  There are some beautiful poses that I will guide you through that include using a blanket. Not only will it keep you warmer during the beginning of your session, but the blanket helps evoke the emotions that we want to try and capture and portray in your images, as well.  Coziness and closeness, and intimacy between you and your fiancé, spouse, or even family.

You can choose a neutral colored blanket to go along with the more neutral tones and colors we get during winter months outside, or you can choose a blanket that brings a pop of color to your images like this classic red and black flannel/checkered blanket that really captures the essence of this time of year, as well.

TIP 2:  Wear layers.  It's a very simple and common sense tip, but one that can be overlooked.  Just like you would prepare for going outside in the colder months for doing anything, like sporting events outside or going for a walk or hike to enjoy nature and the fresh air, or to play with your family, ...you're going to add layers.  And preparing for your outdoor photo session is no different.

There are a lot of great options for thermal under layers now that are made of a real thin, slippery material that add a lot of warmth, but do not add a lot of bulk.  Or you can just layer with tank tops, t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, long sleeve button up shirts and then put a nice, warm sweater on for your outermost layer.

For ladies, you can still wear a dress for your outdoor session, too, if you want.  There are a lot of great options in dresses for colder months that you can choose from.  Just look for one that’s made with a thicker, heavier material, and longer, or even a shorter sweater dress.  Just add the layers underneath the dress with thermal bottoms, leggings, or heavy tights.  And then just pair it with some knee-high or ankle boots.

TIP 3: Wear coats. You might not think about choosing a coat as one of your outfit options for your photo session, but they can look just as great as any clothes you may choose to wear and obviously add an extra layer of warmth, as we move through your session.  

It can be a long dress coat, a pea coat, a trench coat, or something more casual like a black bomber coat or a leather coat. Whatever you want it to be.  And if you don't have a coat that you really want to be photographed in and use for your images, consider borrowing one.  It's a very easy thing to borrow, and not too personal of an item to borrow from someone.  Ask a sibling or a family member, a friend, or even a co-worker you're close with.

TIP 4:  Bring winter accessories, like winter hats, scarves and gloves. Again, it's a simple tip and common sense but one you might not think of for your photo session.  Accessories are great to bring for your photos because they can easily change the look of the image, giving you extra options for your images, and of course add on a layer of warmth.  

If you do bring winter hats it's something that we can add on towards the end of your session when you're probably going to feel your coldest, and save for last if you don’t want to worry about it messing with your hair for other pictures once it’s taken off.   (Especially us curly-haired girls.)

TIP 5: Embrace the weather and have FUN!  Kim and Noah and I had so much fun during their session – even though my fingers were frozen by the end of it.  And they truly had a blast - they were laughing, embracing each other, and having a great time.  And the images we were able to capture because of how they did embrace the session and weather, were just that much more beautiful. 

Keep in mind why you're there…  you're there to be with your loved ones, to really enjoy that bit of time together and capture some gorgeous images that really show your relationship and your love for one another.  Images to have for the rest of your lives.   So show up with a fun attitude and it's going to be a great time!  (A shot or two of whiskey for the adults never hurts either!)

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting and supporting your local artist.

Photography: Melanie Landro Photography
Venue: www.kempercenter.com
Music: DJ Ran - www.completeweddingmilwaukee.com
Bride: www.davidsbridal.com
Groom: www.menswearhouse.com
HMUA: www.flairstylingstudio.com

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting and supporting your local artist.

Throw in their spot-on modern, boho style, with Chicago alleyways and side streets for our backdrop - and you have a happy photographer with happy couples.  I hope you enjoy these three sweet couples and all their details!

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting and supporting your local artist.

You already know why you need me - because you value the importance of photography and beautiful images that are more like art.  

Melanie Landro ... I am extremely dedicated and passionate about documenting your life’s journey through beautiful, simple, and classic photography.  I have been through an engagement – I am building a strong marriage – I am raising and loving my children.  I understand that gush of love and thankfulness you feel when looking at your fiancé, your spouse, your child – your life.  And I understand the fierce desire to have your loved ones documented so you can always hold on to these moments, and to document them in a way that captures what you feel. 
 

I capture images for my clients to treasure forever… for generations to come.  Photographs that make you feel.  Photographs that are intended to be art for your wall, the most personal art imaginable.

From your session with me, you will have works of art that truly come from the heart, that you can proudly display on your walls and celebrate every day.  You will be able to surround yourself in your own home, with images that mean more to you than most anything else.

I will get to know you and your partner, work with you, pose with you, and have fun with you, so that we can capture the beauty of your relationship and this unique time in your life.
 

(For a bit more info about me & MLP, click here.) 
 

Two families from two very different cultures, came together this beautiful spring evening, to celebrate one thing : Kim and Noah's love for one another.  It was simply a stunning evening of classic style and natural elegance in the city, at the breathtaking Pfister Hotel. 

There was so much love and care poured into every little detail by both the bride and groom, and many other family members, with heartfelt speeches, many, many gifts of talent, and lots of laughter and fun.  An emotional, surprise song from the bride for the groom ... a beautiful piano performance gifted from the bride's niece ... games filled with laughter for everyone to enjoy ... and a very romantic first dance.   What a beautiful celebration of their new life together.

Kim and Noah, your wedding was truly beautiful, emotional, and memorable in every way!  Thank you for trusting me to tell your story and being such a joy to work with!  I hope you love and cherish your photos for the rest of your life together.  Much love, Melanie.  xo   

Venue : thePfisterHotel.com
Florals : jessfleurfun.com
HMU : eyedoairbrush.com
Cake : Ohdanishbakery.com
Music : allstarmusicdj.com
Photography : www.melanielandrophotography.com
Second Shooter : www.instagram.com/basilcreekphotography/

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting and supporting your local artist.

On your wedding day, don't forget to carve out some time in your timeline for just you two. I've noticed that the time my couples have with me, their wedding photographer, tend to be the ONLY real moments they have together without being surrounded by their wedding party and guests ... the entire day. You put SO much care and effort into making sure your guests have a wonderful time on your wedding day, and you should do the same for yourselves, too.
 
Make sure you put some real thought into carving out a bit of time for one another.  Make the decision ahead of time to do this for yourselves, so when you’re caught up in the lively celebration with friends and family and being pulled in different directions, you won’t have a hard time stepping away for even a few minutes to enjoy this bit of “alone time”.
 
We can sneak away, take a quiet walk, capture some timeless, authentic moments of just the two of you ... you'll be thankful you did.

How can I serve your photography needs?  Contact me HERE.

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting and supporting your local artist.

If you enjoy photography but are not a photographer yourself, check it out and mark your calendar for the contest next year (shootandshare.com).  It’s super fun and the photos you’ll see are amazing!!  And if you are a fellow-photographer, let me know if you enter next year.  I’d love to share in the experience with you!

Here’s my image that made it to the top!

xo

When I got the message from my sweet friend last fall that she would love for me to capture her and her husband, to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary, I was thrilled.  Not only was I going to get to see her again, but also be able to help her capture such a personal and meaningful time in her life. 

When I got another message a couple weeks before their scheduled session, letting me know that the detailed plans for their shoot had changed a bit, I was beyond thrilled!  Reading that message made my jaw drop and my breathe catch in the back of my throat when I realized what I was now going to be a part of. 

Not only were we going to capture their love and one year wedding anniversary, but I was also going to help them with an extra special announcement.

Take a look below to see for yourself!

The hour I got to spend with them was so meaningful, filled with such love and happiness.  Seeing your friends happy is one of the best feelings.  It was such a joy and honor to capture this for Tracy and Will. 

If you’re curious, they’re baby girl is due in just a few weeks now, in April!!

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting and supporting your local artist.

I've created a tradition.  For a few years now, I've started every new year out sharing an important, heartfelt message with all of you.  A "new year goal" that I wish for all of you, but a goal you can work on any time of the year  ...  "Have prints made." 

Prints have become a dying breed for so many (myself included compared to 10 years ago), but they are so important.  10 years from now, and certainly 30-40 years from now, the technology we use to save and archive our digital picture files WILL CHANGE.  You can count on it.  Those discs, USB drives, yes, they will change and the pc you are on certainly will.  We cannot guarantee that we'll be able to access our images another 20, 40 years from now.  And where does that leave us?  Where does that leave the next one or two generations?  With no pictures of their loved ones.

Have prints made, friends!  Hang them on your wall, on a shelf display, on a table or dresser, put them in an album, or even simply put them in a photo storage box. Once a month or once a quarter, have your tangible prints made this year. Print them, share them, enjoy them, save them, pass them on to younger generations... You'll be so happy you did!  Especially if you have children or grandchildren; there is nothing like a picture to connect one generation to another.  Sometimes, that is all we have of our loved ones. 

And pictures are one of the first things we seek out when we’ve lost someone we love.  Between my family, and my husband's family, we lost five close family members last year.  You can bet that we were very thankful for all the photos we gathered and shared with one another along the way.  Those prints brought joy and laughter in a time of sorrow and grief, and they added a very tangible presence and connection while we celebrated their lives.

A couple years ago I also read an article about how having family photos out on display in your home boosts the self-confidence of children, and gives them a stronger sense of security and "belonging" when they could see their own photos, and their own family's photos, out on display in their homes.  If you have children, take a moment to share with them the story behind family photos on display in your home.  Watch their eyes light up, and a smile from deep within spread across their face.  You're giving them family legacy, grounded history, a real sense of roots and love.     

Do something about it this year.  For you and your family.

Melanie

xo

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting and supporting your local artist.

Why you may want to consider a First Look. www.melanielandrophotography.com/blog

The “First Look” is a newer-ish wedding day phenomenon that has started becoming more and more popular with brides and grooms.  However, if you haven’t actually sat down to consider the reasons behind WHY you may want to opt for a “First Look”, as opposed to the traditional “Altar Look”, you may not really understand it and the benefits to doing one.  And you may not really know if it’s something you would like to do, or not.  It’s very untraditional for most people, so that right there is usually a turn off for couples that don’t understand the reasons of WHY behind a First Look.

Every couple should do what’s truly best for them, their personal timeline, and their desires for their special day.  There is no right or wrong way to lay out your wedding and your first glance at your love.   So no matter what you learn about a first look, whether from me or someone else, do whatever sits right with you.

 
So keeping in mind I am not trying to persuade anyone into doing a first look, or not, but strictly offering some information and education, here are some reasons some couples choose to do a first look, and some benefits to having one. 

1.  It’s sometimes the only option for beautiful portraits during daylight.

I met with a couple one summer to talk about their wedding day details and photography, who had a gorgeous ceremony and reception location right up the road from the equally gorgeous lake Geneva.  They had a beautiful vision for their portraits being taken at the park nearby the ceremony location, and then out on a pier over the lake, with the glowing, setting sun behind them and their wedding party.  The photographic vision was perfect.  I loved it.

But I then had to bring up the fact that the sun sets at a much different time of day in October than in June.  In October, when their wedding date was, we would only have about 30 minutes to try and get to the park and lake after the ceremony and then capture any portraits before the sun was gone.  30 minutes is not enough time to shoot family portraits, wedding party portraits, and bride/groom portraits.  Not even considering time for transportation.

Well, those beautiful portraits she envisioned did happen – but it was only possible because we added a first look to their timeline earlier in the day, before the actual ceremony.  It was the best decision ever for them!  They had their first look (it was a beautiful tear jerker), and then we took the majority of their wedding party portraits, family portraits, and bride/groom portraits.  This gave us the opportunity to then still make it down to the pier to catch the beautiful setting sun after the ceremony for a few shots.  Having taken all those portraits earlier in the day, made it possible for us to capture the photos they wanted at sunset by the lake.  And those sunset portraits were breathless!

If you hold off on all your portraits until after the ceremony, and you have an evening ceremony, you may only have 30-60 minutes before the sun sets and all your photos will need to be taken with flash or other lighting options.  If you love the look of flash photography and night photography, and are cool with that being the majority of your portraits, then that’s prefect for you!  If you love the look of photos that are taken when there is some sun and natural light available outside, however, then you could definitely benefit from having a first look before the ceremony, and taking some of your portraits earlier, when there is still day light.

My husband and I actually did this before it was a “thing” when we married over 10 years ago.  We had an evening, candle-lit ceremony, so portraits after the ceremony just wasn’t possible given we definitely wanted some taken with natural light outside among the beautiful, natural foliage.

It’s strictly a personal preference!

2.  It can make your schedule and timeline for the day less hectic.

It can be a LOT to fit in – family portraits, wedding party portraits, bride/groom portraits, detail shots of the reception location, cocktail hour, … there can be a lot to try and capture when considering the photography while still trying to enjoy the day after becoming husband and wife.  Having the first look before the ceremony, with some portraits to follow, helps ease the flow of the rest of the day a bit.

It breaks the photography up a bit, and spaces the portraits out more so it doesn’t seem like one long photoshoot after your ceremony, too.  If you think you’ll be torn between wanting to capture as many beautiful shots as possible, versus being able to let your lipstick diminish and enjoy some of the cocktail hour with your friends and family you’ve invited to celebrate with, this might be a very real benefit for you.   Or at the very least, just not feel so rushed.

This ‘less hectic’ timeline does appeal to some couples as we’re talking about their timeline and the details of everything.  For some couples, it might be the only way to make the day actually flow the way they really would like it to.

3.  You’ll likely end up with more portraits of you and your love.

When you have a first look, you end up having more time in your schedule for portraits because the pressure of fitting them in between your ceremony and reception isn’t there, AND there’s a good chance you’ll still end up taking a few shots after the ceremony even if you do have a first look beforehand.

4.  You won’t waste your wedding day hiding from each other.

Seriously. (I kind of agree with this one.) Even if you have yet to be married, if you’ve ever been in a bridal party you’ve likely witnessed the ever–crazy doings of making sure the soon-to-be-wed couple don’t see each other!  It truly can add a level of stress to the hours leading up to the ceremony.  You have bridesmaids standing guard at every corner as the bride moves through the building, and you have groomsmen on the lookout for safe passage from one room to another.  AND after all of that, there are still the occasional times the bride and groom will still end up accidentally seeing each other.  I’ve witnessed it!  It can be very disappointing for the couple if they are striving to NOT see each other before the ceremony.  Who needs all this unnecessary stress?!

Doing a first look avoids this whole scenario for couples that this doesn’t appeal to, and gives them the opportunity to spend more time together on one of the most special days and moments of their lives.   And the intimacy … I think everyone assumes that having a first look will take away from the amazing moment of seeing each other for the first time as you walk into the room and towards the altar. IF this is a concern for you, there is nothing that can take away from the moment your love steps into the room and is about to join you at the altar to become one and say “I do”.  I’ve witnessed it, rest assured.  A first look will not take away the magnitude of that moment.  They are two entirely different moments really.  Your first look is private, and special in its own way, and doesn’t diminish the actual moment of becoming husband and wife.  At least, I’ve never seen it do so, and yet I know this is a main concern for most couples when considering a first look or not.

Perhaps because a first look simply goes against generations of tradition?  If we consider the fact that this tradition actually came from the days of prearranged marriages, when the couple to be married didn't even know each other, they were kept from seeing each other until the very moment they were at the altar so no one changed their mind and tried ‘running’ if they didn’t like what they saw. This reason doesn’t really hold water in today’s society.  It’s just “a tradition” now.
      
5.  It takes away pressure and possible stress.

There can be so much build up to not seeing each other until you are ready to walk down the aisle.  ‘Anxiousness’ might be the perfect word here for some.   I’m not saying you are anxious about the marriage, but that you can be anxious about the wedding day going smoothly.  Having a first look can take that pressure away for some couples.  It does not take away from the amazing moment of seeing your soon-to-be spouse walking towards you to finally become one – just all the anxiousness for that moment to be so perfect and the pinnacle of the day.  I think the pinnacle is actually the moment you say, “I do”.  Right?

   
6.  It can turn into the only time you’re actually alone all day.

Really?  You’re thinking, “No.  Not possible.  It’s our wedding! Of course we’ll be spending the day together and have some alone time.”  Well, actually, you’re wedding day is anything but ‘alone time’ for you and your husband/wife.  Unless if you’re eloping, it’s a day that will be spent with everyone close to you – family and friends – and nope, no alone time until you leave the reception.  Having a first look actually gives you alone time.  And very special, intimate alone time at that.

For a first look, I will of course set things up so the photographic opportunities are at their best, and then I will step back to give you a few moments alone.  Whether you take those moments to just hold each other and wipe the happy tears away, and tell each other how excited you are to say “I do”, or to talk about what you had for lunch and how getting dressed went, it’s up to you.  But either way, having those private moments together, alone, to breathe and relax, before saying “I do” sounds pretty amazing to some couples.

I think bottom line, it comes down to timeline for most couples, and what they want to fit in to their day, and how stressed they may or may not be doing so.   Think about what works for you and your timeline, and what you are hoping to get out of the day.  

If you are reading this and have already married, did YOU do a first look?  Leave a comment below to share with other future brides on your own experience with it.  Pro's?  Cons?  Did you love it?  Anything you would have changed?      

Celebrating their 5th year of marriage, we toasted with wine, and hit the trails and beach to capture my vision and their authentic love in this season of their marriage and life. 

With Heather being a photographer and artist herself, the fun we had creating and capturing was just unreal.  I have so much love for this session and these images.  The vision I've had was wholeheartedly embraced by Heather & Tj, and I couldn't thank them enough for trusting me and letting go with me.

Best. Session. Ever.

xo   

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting and supporting your local artist.

I couldn’t be happier for these two beautiful souls.  Love, kindness, respect, generosity, and patience truly are what you witness and experience when around them.   

The beautiful photography I was able to capture from their day could have been e n d l e s s.  I share but a small taste of their amazing day for your eyes. 

See more from Melanie Landro Photography in the future by Liking our page on Facebook and Instagram.  There's so much more to see. 

Thank you for visiting and supporting your local artist.

We were just steps away from the Lake Michigan waves with their gentle roaring sound in the air, the slight wind was blowing through the flower garden, the evening sun was warmly shining down on us, and with their closest friends and family members surrounding them, Patrick and Michelle said their "I do's" and committed their lives and love to one another.  

This moment was solely about their love and having those closest to them there to celebrate in their happiness. It was so beautiful and simply breathtaking.

These two are like family to me, and I was so honored to capture their beautiful day for them.