If you follow the blog, you will know it’s been a couple of months since my last engagement session. I’ve missed them so! Engagement sessions are fun and carefree- and the best way for me to get to know my clients.Â
 The best part is that getting to know my brides and grooms really inspires my excitement for their wedding days! I’m convinced that my couples are some of the cooooooolest people in Madison because every experience I’ve had this summer has been fun, unique, and rewarding.
Well, this morning the engagement session dry spell was broken by Mindi & Ethan. We were all a little disheartened when we had to reschedule the session due to yesterday’s foreboding forecast, so the shoot started a little gloomy in more respects than the gray weather. We were all quick to recover, though, and we had an amazing shoot! Between Mindi’s awesome laugh and Ethan’s outgoing personality, we were like best buds in no time. I am truly looking forward to their wedding next August.
It was hard to narrow down my favorites for this blog post, but here we go!
We started at Tenney Park, in one of my favorite trees:
We strolled through the park a bit and the goofy side started to come out!
The color red popped up several times during our shoot, and this was the first. I love this little dock!
The bridge at Tenney Park has been a popular portrait spot for years, but it will never lose its lovely character.
Ethan REALLY wanted some shots with the Lifeguard station, so I happily obliged…and then instructed him to show his athletic prowess with a nice big leap.Â
 I think he did a great job, don’t you?
More fun in the sand! These two were brave- I can’t say I’d have gone barefoot in Wisconsin in OCTOBER. But then again, like I said…COOL couples. Sometimes sacrifices must be made in the name of great portraits!
After the beach, we made a quick pit-stop at the apartment. These images do require a bit of explanation, because I usually reserve the ring shots for the wedding day. A while ago, shortly after Mindi & I became Facebook friends, Mindi posted a status about her new kitchen cabinets and how Ethan was painting them red. I was immediately intrigued! I mean come on- red cabinets?? Awesome! Right away I knew I wanted to photograph Mindi’s beautiful ring inside the cabinets. And voila, engagement ring shots:
I had an awful experience with gas station coffee on my way to the shoot, so Mindi & Ethan were total sweethearts and bought me a hot almond joy mocha from Michelangelo’s on State Street before we began the second half of our session downtown. I couldn’t help but take a couple shots inside!
I did mention earlier that red popped up everywhere, right?Â
 This is such a fantastic combo- Mindi’s coat and this awesome door!
Loved this next shot as soon as I saw it on the back of my camera.
You just can’t do a session downtown without making a stop on the Capitol steps.
They laughed at me when I ducked behind the planter for this shot, but this is why my couples trust me.Â
And just one more little red accent… Mindi has such a classy beauty. I can’t wait till she’s all bride-i-fied!
We were all surprised at the lush foliage and flowers in this cold weather! It was gorgeous…
I promise we did not go anywhere we weren’t supposed to for this next one…Â But even if we had, it was totally worth it.
We ended our session across from our parking ramp, with the famous round Overture window. Lovely!
To Mindi & Ethan- you guys are SO much fun to photograph.Â
 We’re going to have a BLAST next August! I hope you enjoyed your preview!For details about hiring Red Gecko Studio as the photographer for your upcoming wedding, please use the “Contact” section of this blog! Red Gecko Studio proudly serves weddings and special events in Madison, Milwaukee, and southeastern Wisconsin. Travel to any other location in the world can always be arranged! Thanks for visiting!
by Mandie Haberman
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