Katie Derksen Photography

Monday, August 30, 2010 9:06 pm

Ryan and Nathan — Milwaukee twins photographer

Posted in Newborns

Blog! I’ve missed you! It’s been a week or two … but I’m back.

Sorry Ms. Blog, but photo shoots and corresponding with clients take precedent, and after hours, it’s wedding planning, 24/7. No really, I mean it — these wedding nightmares have taken OVER my life! Honest to goodness, I can’t remember the last peaceful night of sleep I had. This morning, I woke up in a panic about the flower girl dress. The night before that, I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup to the ceremony. Anyone have a wedding nightmare cure? I’m more stressed when I’m sleeping than I am when I’m awake!

I wanted to share a couple photos from a twins newborn shoot I had a few weeks back. These adorable baby boys were slightly older than my typical newborn age, but only by a couple months — little Ryan and Nathan were born several months prematurely, so they had to spend their first few months in NICU.

Let me introduce you to Ryan and Nathan … or Nathan and Ryan … I’m horrible at telling twins apart, especially identical ones!

Sixteen years from now, I may have two embarrassed teenage boys on my hands, but this picture was totally worth it.He loves his brother so much, he kissed him! (Any Moms out there most likely can guess what he’s really doing … )

That’s all for now, but check back later this week for an exciting new product!

Posted in Newborns Tags: katie derksen, katie derksen photography, milwaukee children's photographer, milwaukee newborn photographer, milwaukee twins photographer, wisconsin children's photographer, wisconsin newborn photographer, wisconsin twins photographer

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Monday, August 16, 2010 8:40 pm

Ellyott Jordyn — Milwaukee newborn photographer

Posted in Newborns

I like to run. I think. Maybe.

Actually, I’m not really sure I like it at all.

A few weeks back, I ended a post by saying, “I’m off for a run!” As if I’m oh-so-cool, the type of person who runs without waver, my feet drifting along the pavement as if I were born in Baby Nikes.

Ah, no.

Although running has always been a part of me — something I’ve fallen back on when those peanut butter M&M’s somehow found their way into my belly again — the sport and I have broken up a few times. Through the college years, we were going steady. Like, dating six days a week … sometimes even at 5:30 in the morning. After graduation, I ran the Chicago Half Marathon and did quite well, if I may say so myself. The year after that, not so much: I blacked out at the 11th mile. No lie.

Since then, we’ve had our ups and downs, but these days, I run about two or three miles a couple times a week. I don’t think about solving world peace on my runs, or calculate complicated math problems to keep my mind distracted — 80 percent of the time, I’m usually thinking about what I can eat for dinner, since I just ran off about 928 calories and all. (Or, 250 … same thing.)

Well, a couple weeks back at a newborn session, my running aspirations received a mini kick-in-the-butt when I met a woman I’ll call Mrs. Inspiration.

As I stood on their front doorstep, camera over my shoulder, I was greeted by her husband: With a brand new baby in his arms, he told me his wife would be back in a minute or two — she took a quick trip to Starbucks, as their night before was a bit sleepless.

I carried in my equipment and started setting up. A moment or two later, Mrs. Inspiration walked into the room. As I looked up, my immediate thought was, “This can’t be Mom.” Little Ellyott Jordyn was just seven days old, and Mom hardly looked like she had given birth seven months ago, much less seven days.

We chatted a bit as I started snapping some photos. A half-hour into the session, I mentioned how fabulous she looked and asked, “So what’s your secret?”

Running, she said. She likes to run.

I thought to myself, “Oh, that’s cool. She jogged off and on through her first trimester and then ate healthy for the last six months. I can do that someday … not a big deal.”

But no.

Want to know what it is, ladies? Want to know how you can look gorgeous and fit within days after giving birth? You need to run miles … like, almost every day. With a baby inside you.

“I actually ran two miles the night before Ellyott was born,” she said in the most humble voice I’ve ever heard.

I tried to pull back my bulging eyes as I picked my jaw up off the floor. Suddenly, my sensitive tooth didn’t seem to hold up too well in the Excuse Department.

Pam, you’re an inspiration to me, and it was wonderful to spend some time with you and your family. When Ellyott is a teenager and thinks her mom isn’t cool anymore, remind her of what you were doing the night before she was born. That’s a 10 on the Cool Scale.Here are some photos of the lovely little girl …

And we couldn’t forget about her big brother.

Posted in Newborns Tags: katie derksen, katie derksen photography, milwaukee children's photographer, milwaukee newborn photographer, wisconsin children's photographer, wisconsin newborn photographer

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Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:54 pm

Briana and Mike — Milwaukee wedding photographer

Posted in Weddings

Her future maid of honor knew he was the one — it was only a matter of time before Briana was convinced as well.

Months passed, boyfriends came and went, but Gretchen — Briana’s best friend — kept insisting.

“My cousin Mike … just meet him and you’ll see,” Gretchen pleaded.

After a few missed encounters, the two finally crossed paths. And soon thereafter, Briana knew she had found someone special.

“How was your weekend?” Gretchen asked one Monday morning, months later.

“You know, it was wonderful,” Briana said. “Once you find that special person who you can do fun things with and share happy times, all of your weekends seem to be good.”

It’s so true, isn’t it? Life seems to come full circle when you meet the person you’re meant to marry. Weekends are happier, low-key nights on the couch aren’t so boring anymore, ice cream somehow tastes better (OK maybe that only held true for Tommy and I … darn you, Oscar’s) … and life, all around, seems to be totally complete.

With every wedding, I become a little more of a romantic. With every vow, life somehow seems a bit more fair. As a fly on the wall — with no one to talk to, my cameras at my side — I am the one person in the room who gets to watch the couple constantly, uninterrupted. I see those little moments that others may not — she touches his back, he glances her way, they steal a kiss when no one is looking. Somewhere between the fancy ceremony and big, delicious cake, true love begins.

First, Briana’s shoes … her bridesmaid dresses were black, so Briana’s shoes were black and white … LOVE them. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t — shoes are a very sensitive subject with women, you know.

The next set of photos is probably one of my favorite sequences out of all the weddings I’ve photographed. Right before the vows, she had what a family member later described to me as a “Briana Moment.” It was so enduring. I’m pretty convinced every eyeball in the church was glued to this moment …

Here’s the glance … she loves him. Pictures don’t lie.

This live band totally rocked and most definitely deserves recognition … but for the life of me, I cannot recall their name. If anyone recognizes the singer, leave a comment below! Brides-t0-be, this band was amazing!

Congratulations Briana and Mike! Your wedding day was a dream!

Posted in Weddings Tags: chenequa wedding photographer, katie derksen, katie derksen photography, milwaukee wedding photographer, wedding reception photography, wisconsin wedding photographer

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