The story of Cory and John, and how I came to be their photographer, begins all the way back when John and I were a young, 17 years old. 

John and I had traveled to Australia and New Zealand together on a student ambassador program with other high school students from all over the state. I remember John being an immediate favorite of everyone on the trip, he was just a fun, easy going guy with an increibly big heart. 

The journey down to Australia and New Zeleand definetly created so many life long bonds. After returning home, a group of us from the trip would always get together, go to high school home comings together, have sleep overs and enjoy our lives as crazy, hooligan teenagers! 

After graduating high school, such as life, we slowly started to dispurse, trying our best to keep in touch, but not always having the time to allow for it. As life went on, many of us went through college, got married, had babies, and carried on with the regular day to day hustle and bustle.

That's where Facebook came in to play...

Oh yes, Facebook. The place where many have reconnected, and some have disconnected, but in our case, we reconnected! John and I caught up with each other's lives through social media and I couldn't have been happier to see this friend come back into my life, and with him, I would gain another friend in Cory, his new fiance! 

Long story short (some what...) They asked me to be their photographer! I remember saying to John "Who would have ever thought when we were 17 that I'd be photographing your wedding!?"

This neat little story of our history doesn't stop there. John and Cory had planned their wedding to be held on June 27th, 2015 in the Wisconsin State Capitol, followed by an evening of fun at the Overture Center. This date in it's self was special because it followed the Supreme Court ruling that same sex marriage would be legal in all 50 states. Without knowing it, when they planned to be wed on the 27th, John and Cory would not only be celebrating their love and commitment to one another, but the equality and love for everyone all around the U.S. 

I can honestly say that I adore these two and the love they share. They are, in every way, amazing people and a beautiful couple.  

Thank you for having me be in your lives, John and Cory, and a part of your very special day. Looking forward to watching your family grow and sharing many more years of friendship!

Here's to love, always winning...

When Wendy and Matt had asked me to photograph their wedding, I knew it was going to be one heck of a party with great people!

I've known of Wendy since high school, but I hadn't actually met her until my husband and I started dating. I've always known her to be a sweet, extremely kind and very fun person. When I met her fiance, Matt, I knew the two were the perfect match. Matt is witty, fun and just as kind hearted as Wendy. 

One thing I can say about this couple which really stood out to me is the great mixture of love and friendship that they share and the love and friendship that they are surrounded by.

Their wedding day couldn't have been a more beautiful April day, warm, sunny and all together, beautiful! Their wedding ceremony was at St. John's Lutheran church in Portage, Wisconsin, with the reception following at The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond! The clear theme through out their wedding day was the common love they share for the game of softball! 

Here's a big thank you to Matt and Wendy for having me be a part of their gorgeous day! Congratulations on your lives together!  

Here's a recap of their day! 

Some day, it will end.

Dirty hands, sniffling noses, they will stop bringing me dandelion bouquets. 

As I stood at the sink, monotonously scrubbing the pots and pans, I could hear them,

"Mommy come here, I want to show you something!!"

"Yes, Okay, I'll be right there..." I reply, half heartedly as the list of things I need to get done ramble through my mind. I hear them again, "Mommy, COME!!!" I sigh, dry my hands, stressed, and just wanting to get the dishes done so I can move on to the next task of the day. 

I walk outside... without haste.  There they are, and it hits me how wrong my priorities were.

Two blonde, blue eyed little boys, with dirt all over their little hands, picking dandelions.  

 

The scene is beautiful. My heart stops, and I am immediatly glad that I pulled myself from the dishes and thoughts of what needs to be done, because, what I really needed, was to recognize the beauty God has blessed me with. These boys, and the little yellow "flowers" they were picking, just for me.  

These days will go by so quickly. These moments, never to return.

Far too often have I ended a day in a heap of exhaustion, not taking into account all that is around me. I simply made it through the day without taking a breath for my family. A breath for myself. A breath for God. 

Ambition is in my blood. I love to work, I love to be busy and I love to be the best at everything I do. I have to be the best. There isn't an option. Although this might seem a great character trait in a job interview, it can also be a curse, in family life, which can cloud the mind. 

All my life, I've put myself to the test and overcame many obsticals, always coming out stronger. Then I began my business.

I can be a mother of three, operate a business, be the best friend a friend could be to my girlfriends, a present family member, help my husband whenever he needs me to run for parts for the family farm, be the best wife I can be to my husband,  make sure everyone is fed healthy meals... the list can go on and on.  But I am human, and I have come to face that fact. I was truly hoping my super powers would eventually kick in, but the clock is ticking and I still don't have a cape! 

That moment, with the little yellow flowers that we call "weeds", and the little hands that picked them out of love for me, reinforced the idea that I need to take a step back, and refocus on all the things I love and prioritize a little better while I still can. 

A couple weeks ago, I posted my new career path on my personal page. This is the new path of O'Seiler Photography until our little ones are in school full time. Thank you again for all your support and viewing my work! I wish you many days of Dandelion Bouquets!  

Post: 

I love what I do and I feel incredibly blessed to have been working with so many amazing families. I can't call photography my "job" because it isn't. It's what I love!

But there are four people in my life who I love even more... and I will admit that this past summer, fall and winter, I didn't quite make them a priority. 
For that reason, Todd and I have decided, that starting this summer, I will start to phase out of family, newborn and maternity photography until the kids are in school full time. My main focus in photography will be weddings/ engagements, seniors, and stylized sessions. Narrowing down the wide range of photography will provide more time for me to dedicate to each individual client without compromising the quality of my work or time with my family. My priority in business is to provide my clients with 110% dedication & creativity to them while creating, shooting, and processing the final product for them to keep memories for a life time. 
My priority in life, is my family. In order to give all that I can to both, I need to know my limits.

I want to thank everyone so much for all the time we have spent together, creating memories and laughing. Until the kids are in school full time, I will still be offering family mini sessions once a year so I can still keep in contact with my clients.

I truly appreciate all of you so much and I thank you for understanding family life.

O'Seiler Photography is still very much alive and well, just moving on a different course for a short while!!!

Thanks again!