Michael Krakora Photography

Getting Ready For Senior Portraits

We are gearing up for the Senior Class of 2010. We will be spending a lot of time outside in great new locations.  Bring us your ideas and we will make it happen.  If you are interested in working with us as a Senior Model, contact us for more details.  We are only taking a limited number of models per school so contact us soon!

Maria + Brain :: e.session

With all of our engagement sessions, Heather and I want to do things that our couples want.  If they want to have a session in the winter, we are always excited for that. It gives a chance to have some fun in the snow. Well, we tried to do that with Maria and Brian but Mother Nature had another idea. It is really hard to play in the snow the week after 40 degree temps and lots of rain.

This didn't deter them though. We scheduled the session and worked to find some snow. The light was perfect for portraits outside. Nice and soft from the overcast sky.  We started at the Monona Terrace and then went to Olbrich Gardens – we found our snow there.  It was great walking along all of the paths in the quiet of the garden while capturing Maria and Brian being themselves. It allowed us to get to know them and see what a wonderful relationship they have.

Thanks for such a fun session.  You two had us laughing a lot that day.  Enjoy more images from the slide show.

It was really cool noticing how Maria would often stand this way. 

What I love about the next two shots is that these were taken within seconds of each other. The first one is Mike's viewpoint and the last image is Heather's.

One Stinking Cute Baby

I was so lucky to get to document another wonderful and very old friend. If anyone in this world has dirt on me, it is Anne. We have had so much fun through the years. Even though life is turbulent – Anne and I have seen each other through those times. And now I am lucky to be a part of her life when she has a child. August is amazing! I can tell already that he will have Anne and Joe's crazy sense of humor. The laughter, as it always is, was loud and free flowing.

Here are more of my favorites in a slideshow.

His smiles were so contagious!

He makes this look not only easy, but tasty too!

This was my favorite from a series. Anne's hair is so thick and beautiful. She was nuzzling his noes and he would open his mouth just enough to let her hair brush against his mouth and he would giggle.  It was a really sweet moment that I keep replaying in my head. It is wonderful to see Anne so happy.

One thing Anne and Joe really wanted was an image of August crying. Got it!  LOVE this shot!  Even crying, he is so stinking cute!

Old Friends

Ken and I have been friends since about the 7th grade. He has been like a brother to me for, well, a LONG time. When he met Sarah I was ecstatic – she is fantastic. And, when he called to tell me that there was a bun in the oven, I was even more excited. The only sad thing is that they no longer live in the midwest, but in Portland. I really cherish those last minute calls around the holidays where we can share a bit of chaos. This year they wanted to get some shots of the family in and I am so glad Mike was able to do it!  I love how these turned out. Such a fun session with such amazing people. 

I love this! Emma was soooo fast. 

Ahhhhh!  Giant baby!  :o)

This series cracks me up! Ken hasn't changed a bit!  He has been making these faces forever and it just cracks me up to see these.

Ken and Sarah,  you guys are amazing and we feel so blessed to have you in our lives. I just wish you were closer! Hopefully we will get to see you guys this summer. 

Here are some more images in a slideshow.

Kari + Greg

Kari + Greg have an energy that radiates and is contagious. Working with them on their engagement sessions was so much fun. The weather was frigid, but they were very tolerant and willing, as long as we started with a cup of coffee. Who can blame them?

Here is a link to more of our favorites.

There is a certain quiet in this image. I love it.

Rachel + Jordan

Shortly after New Year's we had another power wedding at the Overture! It is fun how even though events can be at the same location, they can still be so unique. Beyond Elegant Events did a wonderful job pulling everything together. Rachel did all of her own designing of her stationery. It was beautiful!

Daffodil Parker did a fantastic job with the flowers. The colors were just stunning.

There were a bit of nerves before the wedding. Rachel and her father took turns peeking through the doors to see how many people were there. :o)

Rachel + Jordan's ceremony had so many really special and unique touches. There was a lot of laughter and yes, tears!

Follow this link to enjoy more of our favorites in a slideshow.

Rachel + Jason : : New Year's Eve

There is one word that truly describes Rachel + Jason as a couple – unplugged. It was a word that was heard often to describe Jason. I would say Rachel is more of the plugged-in half of the couple. Together, they are perfect! They totally balance each other. We had so much fun hanging out with them and their friends and families on New Year's eve. What a way to bring in the New Year. Rachel + Jason are so obviously loved by everyone. It was wonderful!

Rachel had the most amazing clear blue eyes!

There were so many nice touches.

:o)  

One of the many cool things about documenting weddings is that we pretty much see it all.  I have to say, I have NEVER seen this!  It was an old-school phone that attached to your cell phone.  TOO FUNNY!!!!

Happy New Year's!

Check out the rest of our favorites in the slideshow!

We cannot forget about the fabulous vendors that we had to opportunity to work with on this wedding!

Location: Overture

Flowers: Fleurishes

Wedding Coordinator: Ginger & Co.

Reception: Sardine

  

Rachel + Adam Get Married

Shortly after Christmas we had the honor of photographing Rachel + Adam's wedding. After getting a huge dumping of snow the week before, we were greeted by weather in the 40s and rain which means a big slushy mess and fog. Despite the weather, their day was beautiful. We began with some preparations at ANUI and then headed over to the Hilton to get dressed. 

I LOVED these shoes!  :o)

A wonderful, almost painless, dress-birth.  (For our brides, you know what I mean.)

Rachel was the epitome of calm, cool and collected and she swore there would be no tears during her ceremony. I don't think she was quite prepared for the first meeting though. It even brought tears to my eyes. 

Rachel's aunt did the flowers and they were perfect. It is always a nice touch when your aunt can fly in Peonies from overseas.

I wish I could remember what we were talking about! 

I love how the blusher looks on brides...

though it makes dabbing those tears just a bit more difficult.

Good luck with the rest of your interviews Rachel! 

Click here to see more of our favorites in a slideshow.

Rachel + Jason

Mike and I cannot wait to spend New Year's Eve with Rachel + Jason!  It is sure to be a beautiful wedding.  I have been talking with Andrea from Fleurishes and the ideas she has come up with Rachel and her Mom are going to be amazing.  

Check out the slideshow!

Kendra + Sean

I really wish I could have been on this engagement session!  What a beautiful day!!!

Check out more of our favorites in the slideshow.