Local photographers point to a spectrum of spaces—from a Milwaukee parking garage to a Madison farmers’ market—but the overall theme remains the same: When choosing a location, look for a place that is special to you and represents who you are as a couple.
“The portraits should tell a story about the couple—how they met, why they’re in love, what makes them unique,” says Dave Watkins, president of Narella Studio in Lake Mills. “If it doesn’t do that, then it’s just a photo of what they look like. Engagement photos can and should be more than that.”
Location, location, location
“Choosing a location that’s familiar or significant to the couple helps a great deal to make them comfortable,” says Watkins. “I want it to be like a date—they’re window shopping on State Street or walking through a park—and I’m along to capture them being them.”
If you’re having trouble choosing, ask your photographer for help. A good shooter will have favorite spots in cities throughout the state, and will take the time to find out what you’re about.
“I usually ask them to give me an idea of what kind of space makes the most sense for them. Are they city dwellers? Do they love nature? Do they love wine? Once I have a little more information, I can make suggestions of locations that I think would suit them,” says Jessica Kaminski, owner of J. Kaminski Photography in Milwaukee.
Some suggestions
Wisconsin abounds with stunning rural locales and buzz-worthy city scenes, and there’s no better place to achieve that range than Milwaukee. Tracy O’Connell, who owns Expressive Photography in Mequon with her husband Patrick, loves the natural splendor of Klode Park on Milwaukee’s North Shore. “It’s a gorgeous beach, with lush trees and great landscaping,” she says.
Many of O’Connell’s clients also love popular Lake Park, which is widely known as one of the most romantic parks in Milwaukee. It boasts the regal Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro and an intri-cate stone staircase that leads from the park to the lakefront. “Clients bring their dogs and we photograph it as a romantic walk in the park,” says O’Connell. “It’s very European looking.”
Among O’Connell’s other southeast Wisconsin favorites are Milwaukee’s historic 3rd Ward, rural rustic barns and the floral Boerner Botanical Gardens in Hales Corners. Watkins says the Milwaukee Art Museum’s underground parking garage, with its stark white interior, provides a unique setting, while Kaminski prefers the urban chic of the 5th Ward warehouse district.
In south central Wisconsin, Watkins touts the beauty of Madison’s University of Wisconsin Arboretum. “It has just about every kind of environment you could want: flower gardens, prairies, woods, water, orchards,” says Watkins. “It feels more like a state park with woods and trails than a city park. The colors in the fall are simply amazing.” But he cites a sunny day at the Dane County Farmers’ Market, a crowded Saturday morning event around the Capitol building in Madison, as the place for his most memorable engagement photographs. “I photographed the couple as they walked through the crowd, but occasionally had them stop and pose in certain spots. It was memorable for me because the crowd and chaos made for a great backdrop, plus it was so fun to watch all the people looking, pointing and wondering what was going on,” he says. “At first couples feel a little strange posing with people and traffic going by, but there’s sort of a celebrity effect that takes over and all the attention they get becomes a lot of fun.” A similar effect can be achieved at local fairs, outdoor concerts, in a restaurant or at a Fourth of July fireworks viewing. In northeast Wisconsin, Door County is wedding photographers’ hands-down top pick. Its stunning resorts, lakes and natural beauty can be captured from the shores of Sturgeon Bay to the tip of the peninsula in historic Gills Rock.
Milwaukee area
Door County area