Sweeney Photography

Friday, June 21, 2013

Voted Best Photographer in Madison WI - Madison Magazine!!

I want to start by sharing a story. Not too long ago I was sifting through my mail and came upon an envelope from a local publication – Madison Magazine. I opened it and then my jaw hit the desk. “Madison Magazine wishes to congratulate Sweeney Photography as the Gold Winner in the BEST Photographer category for 2013!” (Okay, just typing that got me a bit choked up.) My first thought was – wow that’s so wonderful!!! Followed by – I wonder who the big winner is? I quickly went to their website and realized that the big winner was indeed me. A smile formed, a tear fell and a silent WOOHOO rang out. Why silent? I had to keep this fabulous and truly unexpected news to myself until today.

Today I finally get to share it and say THANK YOU Madison Magazine! THANK YOU Madison Magazine Readers and Voters! THANK YOU Family and Friends for your support the past 11 years! And above all – THANK YOU to the Brides and High School Seniors and Families and Babies and Professionals that have allowed me to share their special moments, days and events!

Voted Best Photographer in Madison WI by Madison Magazine

Madison Magazine Best of Madison 2013

Thursday, March 14, 2013

More than your average senior portraits in Madison WI

Shouldn’t graduation portraits be more than just a nice smile or a new outfit? I think so. Typically the senior portrait sessions here in the studio start out with what I call “The Grandma Wall” poses. You know the ones – the ladies are gently resting a cheek on their ever so delicately folded hands and the gentlemen are looking very serious as they rest their chins on a rugged fist. Thank goodness today’s Grandmas are way cooler and want to see something more exciting!

I encourage all the young adults that come to me for their senior portraits to bring in items that really help to tell their story. I want their proof booklets and finished portraits to unquestionably show who they are at this time in their lives. It is my hope that they will someday look back at these photographs and remember that they were the bees knees. (Translation: awesome, cool, hip, swagger, Gucci, fizzy)

senior portraits in Madison WI

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

One very excited photographer in Madison WI

Share Random Photos Wednesday

Festival season officially began for me last night with the kickoff meeting of the Summerfest Street Team. Anyone that knows me knows that I have a love of music that is somewhat ... passionate. And my love of the World's Largest Music Festival is a part of what keeps me going through the long, cold winter here in Wisconsin.

I've been part of the Summerfest Street Team for several years - a team leader for the last two. I've had such a blast getting to know the people that organize the festival and the fans that love it. I can't imagine not being a part of it. Why do I love it so much? There are many reasons - the music, the food, the people I meet. The diversity of all of those things. There truly is something for everyone at Summerfest.

If you want to know more about the festival go to summerfest.com and follow me on Facebook and Twitter (links found on my web site). I will post updates, photos and let you all know where the Street Team will be so you come by and say Hi! We always have some free tickets to give away. Plus, this year we are hoping to have some events here in Madison. Woohoo!

I'll be sharing photos I've taken over the years on Wednesdays from here on. Let me know if you recognize anyone on stage or off.

Photographer in Madison WI

Monday, March 11, 2013

Kids & Family portraits in Madison WI

Monday is: share kids and family portraits day.

I really enjoyed spending a couple of hours with this cool little family unit. It was a very laid back, go with the flow kind of session – as you can see by the photos. This was one of those “ah ha” moments (as a photographer) that helped me see family portraits should be less about “posing” and more about laughing. I realize that in a few areas there is some blurriness due to motion but I accept that. These photos tell me the story of this family – the fun, the spontaneity and the love.

Photographer in Madison WI

Sunday, March 10, 2013

It's still cool when ...

... I see my work published.

The Delta Routine is one of the bands that performed at the Pablove benefit event in January. The are a great bunch of guys and their music is awesome! They have been out on tour for a bit so check your local listings and their site for a show near you.

http://thedeltaroutine.com/

Friday, March 8, 2013

Share wedding photographs in Madison WI

Friday is Share Wedding Photographs

I love taking wedding pictures inside the Capitol building. It’s architecture just screams for a bride and groom to pose. On this particular day I had the luxury of time with my couple so we played. On our way down from the third floor an idea for a mini photo story popped into my head. I asked the bride and groom to stand in the middle of the elevator doors and kiss. This is what happened …

Wedding photographer in Madison WI

sweeneysphotography.com

Thursday, March 7, 2013

What's so special about senior portraits in Madison WI?

Thursdays are for sharing senior portraits.

One of the things that I really enjoy when taking senior portraits is when they bring along a younger sibling for a few photos. Coming from a family with six kids I know how special the bond is between siblings. A couple of years ago I had a big sister ask for a few photos with her younger brother. Now this was pretty sweet all by itself but her younger brother was probably one of the most adorable little brothers ever. He happily jumped in and did every thing we asked him to do. And when I say jumped in – he really did. No worries about the cell phone still in his pocket ….

This past summer I was asked to share the senior portrait experience with him. Still sweet. Still adorable.

Thank you Katie and Danny!!

Senior portrait photographer in Madison WI


Senior portrait photographer in Madison WI

sweeneysphotography.com

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Photographer in Madison WI shares The Color Run

Wednesday: Share Random Photos

If I could have enough time to do all the editing I need to do .. that would be great. Especially where family get togethers are concerned. Last summer two of my sisters, my soon to be brother in law and several friends decided to do the Color Run in Milwaukee WI. I had never heard of this event until then. I did some research and thought it looked like a blast. It was.

Throughout the course they have various color stations where the runners/walkers are hit with a bit of color. We were positioned at the blue station. At some points all you could see was blue "smoke" and then one person would burst through. And each and every person had a smile on their face. It was crazy. It almost made me want to do it but that feeling passed very quickly. Ha!

If you're into running/walking and color - then do the next Color Run! Here's a link for more info. They run all over the country so I'm sure there will be one where ever you are located.

http://thecolorrun.com

Photographer in Madison WI

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Photographer in Madison WI shares some art

Tuesday: Share Art Photographs or Business Portraits

On this Tuesday I will be sharing a couple of my art pieces. One is a few years old and one was is a newborn. However, both started out as photographs or in the case of the Cog - three. They were hiding but through many layers, filters, brushes and more - they surfaced.

I have my first official art installation going up in Madison next month. I'm kind of nervous but trying to enjoy this step in my career. If you want to see more of my artwork please click on the link to my web site and then on the Fine Art tab.

Photographer in Madison WI


Photographer in Madison WI

sweeneysphotography.com

Friday, March 1, 2013

Hand in Hand

Friday: Share Wedding Photos

I took this photograph more than a handful of years ago. The wedding was small and intimate and every moment was filled with love and happiness. This photo was one of my favorites of the day because it signified taking their first steps into the future – together, hand in hand.

The second image is what I saw in my head today. Sometimes I just like to play. By the way, the carpet was not blue.

Wedding photographer in Madison WI

sweeneysphotography.com

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Coffee with Sean

Thursday: Share Senior Portraits

Over the years I’ve been lucky to be able share many special days with more than a few families. This spring will mark one of those days for one of my favorite families. Sean will graduate from high school.

This senior portrait session was a bit different than most. As I clicked the shutter I saw two faces – the one that was sitting in front of me that day and the other was the face in my head that I’ve seen grow up over the last 11 years. We spent a good portion of a day in the studio and at various locations in Madison. My favorite moment was when we took a short break and Sean bought us coffee. As we chatted about a million different things – I realized that he had gone from being this amazing, sweet and goofy kid into a smart, witty and goofy young man.

Well done Sean.

Senior portrait photographer in Madison WI

Kids portrait photographer in Madison WI