While hanging at the family farm last summer we challenged our daughter to find a 4 Leaf Clover, and within 5 minutes happily she skipped over with this and said, “Here you go.”.  

O.k. here’s where I have to come clean with my story.  See when I challenged her to find a 4 Leaf Clover, did I really think she was going to find one????   Well, of course like every parent who wants their child to be successful in every thing they do,  I expected she would!   Well….maybe reality and my inner thoughts were closer to….. this will keep her busy  her for a while so Dan and I could keep weeding the grape garden!     Was it luck that she found this treasure in under 5 minutes flat, answering my challenge with ease?   Maybe, but I think it was more than that.  See she stopped me in my tracks and if you ask me, I believe it was God’s gentle way to shout out to me, “STOP!!! what you’re doing, and take the time to share and enjoy every moment as a family.    The weeds in the garden can wait! “

Finding this picture in our phone, makes my heart smile all over again.      Hope it is a lucky day for you too and that this helps to remind you take time to stop, share and enjoy every moment!

We’ll reveal the winner of our Cup of Jo, I Spy later today!    Stay tuned.

Well, this week, while on a run to the store, this blob of yellow something  along the sidewalk ( I really don’t want to know what it was) spoke to Dan… “Yo, look here, it’s a big Heart in Yellow for you! “    So he just had to get his phone out and snap a pic for me.   Of course he had to endure the stares and odd faces from the other shoppers walking by obviously thinking, “What in the world are you taking a picture of dude?”

Well, I have to say, I love my husband and I think no I know he one-upped me with this Naturally Heart!   See, even though he saw the heart, he didn’t see it all, because when I opened this today, I couldn’t believe it as I counted not 1…2…3… but at least 4 signs love in this ONE Hearts Naturally Phone Gram!!!!   Holy Cow Dan, you are ‘da master!

So for some extra Joy, I thought it would be fun to play “I Spy the Signs of Love” in this picture.   So list at least 4 signs of love in this picture including one thing that is not a heart  for the chance to win a $10.00 Starbucks Gift Card, A Cup of JO from us.    Simply Like this post, Like our page on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/artfuljoyphotography and leave your comment below listing the I Spy Signs of Love you find.

We will draw the get a Cup of JO from us winner from all submitted entries (Your email address will not be shown or shared, but used to contact the lucky winner.)

So leave a comment sharing the signs of love you can find in this pic, below.    We’ll reveal the answer and winner next Friday!

Have a Joyful Friday!

Even if you are not planning a Fall wedding, Orange is bright, fun, and modern!  And Red is sophisticated classic style.   What color combinations are you planning for your wedding?   Let us know, leave a comment below.

credits

photography by Artful Joy Photography

 Joe and Ann, Green Bay St. Norbert’s Wedding Fall 2010

Amanda and Ray, Green Bay Our Lady of Lourdes Wedding  Fall 2010

Megan and Bryan, Milwaukee Wedding Fall 2010

Jenna and Craig, Green Bay Military Wedding Summer 2010

Cristina and Denton, Stevens Point Wedding Summer 2010

Jamie and Robert, Madison Wedding Fall 2009

Let us know what color inspiration you’d like us to feature next!

Love is never to0 far away if you look for it!

Because of the ridiculous Wisconsin cold snap in January, we waited to shoot their session until the weather warmed up.  Well, who would have guessed that on the day we rescheduled their session for the bitter Wisconsin cold weather returned with a vengence.   Amy and Eric were extremely brave to venture out with the windchill near 1 degrees Saturday, but we had so much fun!  I love to shoot engagement sessions because they are such a great way for us to get to know our clients. 

My session with Amy and Eric was a perfect example.  We were laughing the whole way through it,  jaywalking, and waiting for random guy’s singing break to be over so we could have the historic steps of Oshkosh Water’s Library and the sidestreets all to ourselves.  Some of my favorite moments of the day came when we ventured into the library to warm up.   A specially big thank you to the library staff for granting permission for us to take pictures inside the Water’s Library, in Downtown Oshkosh;   What a beautiful building and to think we had it all to ourselves.   Finally, to cap things off,  we popped into the New Moon Cafe to warm up with a cup of Jo!    Amy and Eric, we cannot wait to capture your wedding this Fall at the beautiful Heidel House Resort on Green Lake.   I know it is going to be amazing!

To keep the cold at bay, we started out inside their beautiful home.  And right away, I could tell Daisy was going to be the star of the show…  (she is sooo sweet!)

Check out the slideshow to see more of their fun winter Engagement Session!

]]> http://www.artfuljoyphotography.com/blog/2012/02/meet-amy-eric/feed/ 3 http://www.artfuljoyphotography.com/blog/2012/02/2012-brides-choice-award-appleton-wedding-photographer/ http://www.artfuljoyphotography.com/blog/2012/02/2012-brides-choice-award-appleton-wedding-photographer/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:54:56 +0000 AmyJ http://www.artfuljoyphotography.com/blog/?p=1616 Good news comes, in small packages.   We received word today that we were selected to receive the 2012 Brides Choice Award!   This is the third year in a row we have received this honor.    We want to give a special thank you to our awesome clients for their support and recognition and placing us in the top 5% of Wedding Pros nationwide!

]]> http://www.artfuljoyphotography.com/blog/2012/02/2012-brides-choice-award-appleton-wedding-photographer/feed/ 0 http://www.artfuljoyphotography.com/blog/2011/10/fox-hills-resort-wedding-christine-paul/ http://www.artfuljoyphotography.com/blog/2011/10/fox-hills-resort-wedding-christine-paul/#comments Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:01:19 +0000 AmyJ http://www.artfuljoyphotography.com/blog/?p=1517 Blessed with bright blue skies, with wisps of horsetail clouds the day was perfect for Christine and Paul to say ”I will”.   Surrounded by love, in the spanning St. Peter the Fisherman’s Church in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, just a few blocks from the crisp magnificent Lake Michigan shore, Christine and Paul realized their dream.  Today they would become one.    The day was joyous, filled with laughter, hints of happy tears and most of all filled with love.   It was this love, the love Christine and Paul have for each other, of two amazing families and the love of amazing friends that shined bright.    Oh and yes, I have to give a shout out to one of the most fun and amazing bridal parties we’ve had the pleasure to work with.   This close group of family and friends were there for Christine and Paul in every way imaginable.   Ready at a moments notice to help, to support and most of all to celebrate with them.   It was a joy to see Christine and Paul surrounded by such amazing family and friends, surrounded by so much love.    To an amazing couple, thank you for having us capture your wedding day and in sharing your love.