A long, long time ago (eh … 6 years, but I totally just looked at the date on my computer to confirm) … I was a fresh college grad — 21 years old — seated at the desk of my very first photography job — the Portage Daily Register.
Sidenote: For anyone who’s wondering how I “started out,” I’m entirely convinced the PDR hired me mostly because … there was no one else. Portage consists of about 15 people total, and 13 of those Portageans (the coolest 13, of course) already worked at the newspaper (yes, you Craig, and you Sue, and you Julie … and you Jesse, and you Marlene, and you Andy … who am I kidding, you guys aren’t reading this blog anyway!!). Point being, people don’t just up and move to Portage. But, I loved it, and I so wanted that job.
OK, back to my brand new desk: I had an envelope filled with health insurance documents and life insurance policies, some sort of contract which stated the newspaper could fire me at any given time for no particular reason, a box of 1,000 shiny new business cards, my own personal blue iMac, a few pens, a pile of reporter’s notebooks, a couple spare camera batteries and a passed-down Rolodex of “very important” phone numbers that meant absolutely nothing to me.
And then, I had Tori.
Thank God for that. I didn’t know how to shoot, I hardly knew how to write … I didn’t even know how to dress. I just knew how to show up to work. (And I had the AP Stylebook memorized.)
Tori sat next to me — in a cubicle of four desks, Tori was to my left. When beginning a new job, all you can really hope for is a cubicle-mate who doesn’t scare you half to death. In Tori, I had all I asked for, and a whole lot more. If I had a question about a name in that Rolodex, Tori was there: Not only would she tell me who the person was, but also who he married in 1982, what kind of car he drives, where he takes his lunch breaks and what types of vegetables he had growing in his backyard garden. Tori was wicked smart, gut-busting funny and soon, I came to realize she was one of the kindest souls … ever.
Fast forward a year or two. Tori took her life to big city of Chicago while I moved down south and did my photography-thing somewhere between Disney World and the Gulf of Mexico. Then, I moved back to Wisconsin (I missed the cheese), and Tori got engaged. Last year, I received an e-mail from her: “Can I hire you to shoot my wedding?” And just like that, we once again found ourselves cruising around Baraboo, this time taking wedding photos — Tori in her beautiful dress, Ian in his snappy suit and me with my fanny-pack-photography-gear wrapped around my waist. It felt as if time hadn’t even passed — a reporter and photographer team — joking around, telling old stories, making new memories.
Tori, thank you for the laughs we shared, both now and in the past — I feel entirely honored to have spent time with you and your new husband on the most important day of your lives.
Tori and Ian were married at The Al. Ringling Theatre, with their names on the marquee and all. This makes it totally official in my book.
Tori had the great idea of taking a few shots by some of the historical buildings at Circus World Museum. Bring on the pretty colors!!
The next photo of Tori’s dance with her father is definitely my favorite from the day … I’m a total pushover for a sweet moment mixed in with matching colors and pretty lighting in the background. I love how he’s holding her hand right on his heart.
I was eyeing up these authentic animal crackers all. night. long. They were just as yummy as I remember.
We all feel like this about boys at one point or another …
“Hope you have good luck,” says a very insightful little one, followed by a handmade heart with Tori+Ian in the middle. Really, that’s all you need in life … a little luck and a big heart. 🙂 Congrats to you both, Tori and Ian!
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