Happy Holidays!

My favorite Christmas movie is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and I can barely contain my laughter (in anticipation of what's to come) as he pulls up his hood and says "later dudes" at the beginning of the sledding scene (you can see a clip HERE). By the time he hits the Wal-Mart parking lot I practically have tears rolling down my face because I'm laughing so hysterically. It's such a great movie, with the crazy Christmas light covered house, the squirrel in the Christmas tree, and of course Cousin Eddie. How can anyone forget Cousin Eddie in his trapper hat?

When I saw this little hat in the pet section at Target, I knew I had to get it for our Christmas card photo this year (it's very Cousin Eddie, don't you think?). Einstein was a good sport, although he's not a huge fan of it - he kept it on long enough for me to get this adorable photo.

Happy Holidays!!

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Favorite 10 of 2010

Wow, what a year! 2010 was a year of many firsts - starting out with my first newborn session and photographing my first wedding near the end. Throughout 2010, I had the pleasure of taking photos for so many amazing people - I had an extremely difficult time narrowing down my favorite 10 photos (I wish I could choose 20!!). These photos were chosen because they represent one (or all) of the things I love in a photo - emotion, something creative or unique that I haven't seen before, and feeling a connection to the people pictured. Here they are - in the order which they were taken:

The session I had in March 2010 with Alyssa and Sydney was incredible. I remember for this photo I was challenging Sydney to make each one even cuter than the last - and she didn't fail to deliver.
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It took a little while for Emily to warm up to me on the day of her session, but once we got to the park she started feeling more comfortable. Have you ever seen a more adorable little girl? I just love her curls.
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Hanna and Joey's session was one that challenged me creatively, and I got the opportunity to try some new things. I love how you can almost feel their love and happiness radiating through the photo.
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I have never seen a baby held this way before, and Oliver seemed to love it. I have a ton of favorites from this session, but something about this photo is so interesting to me.
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This session with Jessica and Eric was just a practice session for Josh and me, but I absolutely adore the way this photo turned out. I love everything about it - Jessica's expression, the lighting, and the way Eric is looking at her.
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Kathleen and Brett were another practice session, and they were wonderful to work with. I really like the symmetry of this photo.
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I know this photo is of a pair of shoes instead of people, but this photo will always represent the day that my dream of being a wedding photographer became reality. I will always be grateful to Chelsea and Richard for allowing me such a wonderful opportunity.
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The rainbow in this photo was completely unintentional as a bridesmaid's flash went off across the dance floor right as I was taking this photo of the first dance. As it turned out, what some might consider a "mistake" ended up being a very unique and interesting photo. How many people can say they had a rainbow show up during their indoor, evening reception?
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Lindsey and Brandon were so fun to work with and I had a very difficult time choosing a favorite, but I love the way Brandon is snuggling up to Lindsey. They both look so happy and in love!
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Leslie and Adam's wedding was so much fun to photograph, and there were a ton of great photos but this one kept jumping out at me. Leslie looks SO incredibly happy - it just radiates out of the photo. Just looking at this picture makes me smile too!
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For the Bride: A Personalized Touch

I'd consider myself a detail oriented person and now that I'm a photographer, taking detail photos, (especially of the dress) is one of my (many) favorite things to photograph at the wedding. A bride's dress is (hopefully) the dress of her dreams, the dress that makes her feel more beautiful than she ever has before. When I saw Lila Frances' shop on Etsy, I knew that my sister Abby (also a detail oriented person) would love one of the personalized hangers to put her wedding dress on when she gets married in January. So, I ordered her one as a gift - and here it is...

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If you or a bride you know would love one of these hangers, you can check them out HERE. You can personalize them in tons of ways and they definitely add something special to the photos of your gown. Please note, she does mention there is an 8-10 week waiting list at this point.

I hope you guys are having a wonderful week - I'll be posting my favorite 10 photos from 2010 very soon, so stay tuned!!

Nurse Jen

I've been spending the past couple of days playing nurse to Einstein, who injured his shoulder on Thursday night and is on total restriction for the next four to six days. He's starting to feel better, but I think he's still enjoying being carried or held almost every minute of the day (who wouldn't enjoy a little pampering every once in awhile?). Unfortunately this means that he can't be out playing in the snow (his fave!) that we got last night, but he seems to be content for the moment in his pile of cozy blankets.

I hope you all are enjoying the little taste of winter we got last night! I thought we were supposed to get a bit more snow, but hey - I'm not complaining!! Have a wonderful weekend. :)

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Happy Thanksgiving!


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I have so many things that I am grateful for this year - my husband Josh, my pup Einstein, my family & friends. This past year has been such an exciting one - I booked and photographed my first (and second) wedding, and I've gotten to meet so many wonderful people that I not only consider clients but also friends. Thank you for letting me into your lives, for allowing me to photograph your families and special events. I know I've said it many times before, but I am so blessed and thankful for all the opportunities that came my way this year, and for all the opportunities yet to come. I hope you all have a wonderful day with your family this Thanksgiving!

Life in the Pod


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Josh calls it "The Pod", as in...two peas in a pod. The Pod is a place that's snuggly and warm, where everything is right with the world.

I'm pretty sure that Einstein was a person in a former life, and we were quite possibly Siamese twins, because in this life we are rarely apart (and I think we both prefer it that way). Einstein gets up early every morning to come with me to my nanny job, and we typically spend our evenings curled up on the sofa watching TV (where Ein sometimes chooses to snuggle with Josh until he tires of me giving him pitiful looks). In the freezing winter months, I get a personal lap warmer and Einstein loves it because he gets lots of belly rubs, so it's a win-win situation if you ask me.

Simply put, that's life in The Pod, and it's one of my favorite places to be.

Holiday Cards - Samples

I had a few minutes so I sat down and made up some samples of the holiday cards I have to offer this year. If you had a session this year and are interested in ordering some cards, please email me at madiganphotography@gmail.com by December 5th!

Sample #1 (5x7 flat card)
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Sample #2 (5x7 flat card - can be made into a folded card)
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Sample #3 (5x7 flat card)
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Sample #4 (folded 5x7 card - you could just use the front and make it into a 5x7 flat card as well)
Front:
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Inside:
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Sample #5 (option to make this into a 5x7 folded card)
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Thankful Thursday: Feeling Blessed + Announcement


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I cannot express how incredibly thankful I am for every single client I've had the pleasure to meet and take photos of this year (and thanks to the couples who have already booked me for their weddings in the coming years). I look over the past year and I feel so incredibly blessed to have met so many wonderful people. It's such a privilege to be chosen to document important milestones in my clients' lives, and I am grateful every day for each opportunity that comes my way.

I also wanted to take a minute to let you all know that I am no longer accepting bookings for 2010, but my calendar is open and ready for 2011 photo sessions! I have a few unavailable dates at this point, you can view those HERE.

I changed up my pricing a bit for 2011, making it a little less complicated by having children/family/newborn sessions all the same price. Although it's not mentioned on the pricing page - any couple that books me for their wedding receives a $50 discount on their engagement photo session.

I also added holiday photo cards to my price list and if you had a session this past year and want to get holiday cards through me, you will receive 10% off. Please note, all orders need to be in by December 5th for holiday cards, December 10th for any outstanding session orders that still need to be placed. If you're interested in holiday cards, please email me at madiganphotography@gmail.com for more information.

Again, thank you so much to everyone for their continued support!

Leslie and Adam

Leslie and Adam are the second couple that will always have a special place in my heart, as they (along with Chelsea & Richard and two other couples - Shannon and Kameron in 2011, Amie and Travis in 2012) booked me before I'd ever actually done a wedding. They had faith and confidence in me when I had no wedding photos to show them, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity.

With that said, Leslie and Adam are a wonderful couple. They chose not to do engagement photos, but we met up this summer and had coffee so I could get to know them a bit. Turns out both of them are ISU grads and had several mutual friends, but didn't officially start dating until they were both living in Iowa City and attended a friend's wedding in Minnesota.

Leslie and Adam had a very chilly day to contend with on Saturday, but the church was warm and cozy with it's candle lit aisle. After the ceremony, we headed to the IMU to take some photos indoors, and then I had to say good-bye to the happy couple as they drove off to their reception (they chose not to have photo coverage for the entire day). I am sure the party was amazing, and both Josh and I want to wish Leslie and Adam (and their chihuahua Butch) the best now and always. Congratulations!!

I couldn't fit all of my favorites on the blog, so be sure and click HERE to view Leslie and Adam's slideshow!

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My view of the first look (love Adam's reaction):
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Josh's view:
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Love this photo Josh took after the first look...
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Leslie and her mom having a moment before the ceremony begins.
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Andrew

I've known Andrew since he was in junior high, when I began working for his family back in 2002. He's really more like a brother than a friend, and I can't believe he's going to be graduating from college in the spring.

Andrew is incredibly funny, and never fails to make me laugh. He's a wonderful actor and I know he'll go far in whatever career path he ends up pursuing. Here are just a couple of shots from his session:

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Happy Halloween!

Einstein, Josh, and I wanted to wish you all a happy and safe Halloween! Einstein got his haircut this past week, so also he wanted to show off his spooky new bandana complete with spider ring. Isn't he handsome?

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Lindsey and Brandon

First it must be said - Lindsey and Brandon are ADORABLE. Seriously, have you ever seen a cuter couple?
I always like to get the story on how my clients met, so you know I asked these two as well. They told me that they grew up in the same town, and Lindsey was friends with Brandon's sister. When Lindsey went off to college, she and Brandon decided to start dating and have been together ever since! Lindsey is a girl after my own heart, as she loves her dog Scout with every ounce of her being (much like I love my little Einstein). Brandon is a mechanical engineering major so he and Josh had plenty to discuss as well (I know I heard some talk of motorcycles in there at one point!!).

I must share the one thing that made me sad about this session - I won't be photographing their wedding this coming June!! I had so much fun at this session, and I wish Lindsey and Brandon the absolute best now and in the future. I know their wedding will be gorgeous!

If you'd like to see even more photos - check out their slideshow HERE.

We started the session at their home, so their pup Scout could join in for a few photos.
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Taken by Josh
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Next we made our way downtown and found a ton of great spots!
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Taken by Josh
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