Samantha + Brian [St Pat's and Brown Deer Wedding Photography, Iowa City]

Samantha and Brian were married on a beautiful August 2nd at St. Pat's in Iowa City, followed by a reception at Brown Deer in Coralville. Their colors of coral and gray were perfect for summer, and what a stunning couple these two are!

These two had such a great first look, and both said later that it was their favorite part of the day. Emotions always run high in anticipation of seeing each other, and after exchanging letters to each other, they met in front of the church for the first time on their wedding day. I also loved the moment Samantha had with her dad, so sweet.

After the ceremony we headed down to the Pentacrest, before heading to Brown Deer for the reception. I can't think of anything prettier than sunset pics on the golf course there, the light is just perfect and those photos are always my favorite of the day.

Congratulations to Sam and Brian, thank you for choosing us to document your day! I hope you like the sneak peek.

Vendor Info:
Dress- Bridal Elegance
Tux- Heart to Heart
Flowers- Missy, Waterfront Hyvee
DJ- Unique Events
Catering- Marriott 
Cake- Yummy's




Below photo by Josh






Below photo by Josh




























Below photo by Josh


Below photo by Josh












Photo on right by Josh




Below photo by Josh


Below photo by Lauren Brown Creative


Below photo by Josh




Below photo by Josh

Below photo by Lauren Brown Creative


Photo on left by Josh










Photo on right by Lauren Brown Creative




Below photo by Lauren Brown Creative



Below photo by Josh












Below photo by Lauren Brown Creative




























Below photo by Josh

On Moving Forward...

It's been nearly a year since I went full time with photography. Some days it feels like it's been just a few months, and other days it feels like it's been ten years. The past year has been full of every emotion known to man - I've felt intense loss, as well as joy. I've cried tears of sadness, probably more in the past year than I have in my entire life, and I've also laughed until my stomach ached and tears of happiness ran down my face as I tried to catch my breath. I've lost friends, and gained new ones.

This year I've had opportunities that have changed the way I feel about photography. Experiences that have changed me as a person. Relationships that have built me up, and relationships that have left me broken. Most of all though, I've realized who, and what really matters to me the most. I've realized that doing what you love is the thing that keeps you moving forward when you are exhausted, but that sometimes you also need friends and family to hold you up along the way.

Things will be changing a little bit at Jen Madigan Photography over the next year. I've realized many things about myself, and the direction in which I want my life and business to go moving forward. I want to go back to the reason that I started this - to tell people's stories in a natural, timeless way. I want to tell YOUR story, not someone else's that you saw on Pinterest. I want to know my clients, and I want to photograph their families as they grow. I want my business to be personal, because that connection is important to me.

I also want to thank everyone for your incredible support, opportunities to try new things, and for trusting me to document some of the most important times in your lives. So many of my clients have become friends, and I'm so grateful to know each and every one of you. I couldn't do this without you, and I can't wait to continue to photograph you all for years to come.

Cake & Whiskey Magazine

A couple of months ago I had the pleasure of photographing Erin Brenneman of Brenneman Pork for Cake & Whiskey Magazine. This session was one of my favorites to date, not only because Erin is wonderful and fascinating, but also because while I was shooting I got to cuddle and even deliver a baby pig! It was such an amazing experience, and photographing people who are doing what they really are meant to do, is so inspiring to me. I am so blessed to have met Erin and to have been selected to photograph her doing what she loves.

Thank you to Megan at Cake & Whiskey Magazine for asking me to be a part of this, and for selecting one of my images for the cover. I can't tell you what this meant to me. xo - Jen