On September 15, 2014 (one year ago today), Chad and I were loading our lives into a U-Haul to move across the country. Although we were definitely looking forward to our new chapter in Raleigh, North Carolina, it was so hard to leave so many friends, clients and memories behind in southeastern Wisconsin. Plus, putting that Lake Michigan lakefront in our rearview (especially as a nature-lover and photographer) was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

This post contains images of the last 20 sunrise scenes Chad and I witnessed from our Kenosha apartment.

Chad & AmberAmberSeptember 15, 2015sunrise, Lake Michigan, Kenosha, natureComment

Ryan + Nicole | A romantic Wisconsin wedding

Last month, Ryan and Nicole tied the knot in Wisconsin. Despite the chilly November air and slightly gloomy sky, it was one of the most beautiful days we've experienced. The love these two have for each other cannot be equalled and the way they swoon in each other's arms is the sweetest.

There are SO many images of this pretty navy and white wedding I think you'll love to see. View the entire gallery here or check out the highlights below...

WeddingsAmberDecember 17, 2014Kenosha, Burlington, Veterans Terrace, fall wedding, Wedding Photography, wisconsin wedding, Wedding StoryComment

Bryan + Maddy | Bright & dreamy wedding in Wisconsin

I just love how the perfect light can make for the most romantic of settings. This bright, sun-soaked wedding at The Club at Strawberry Creek (Kenosha, WI) was a perfect example. Bryan and Maddy's outdoor wedding ceremony and portraits on the golf course were as dreamy as they come. Their colors of yellow and celadon blue added to the sunny disposition of their celebration, too.

This wedding included lots of unique, fun ideas I'm excited to share about. Read on and see their beautiful highlights...

WeddingsAmberOctober 21, 2014wisconsin wedding, Wisconsin, Wedding Photography, Strawberry Creek, Outdoor, Kenosha, Wedding StoryComment

Randy + Amanda | An enthusiastic WI wedding celebration

Two things were absolutely certain about this wedding celebration: Randy and Manda are completely in love and they are both incredibly loved by many. There was joyful laughter, there were happy tears, lots of pink, a surprise second wedding dress, and plenty of dancing. The bridal party was a very tight-knit group of friends, which only added to the crazy fun. Plus these families know how to celebrate!

I hope you enjoy their wedding story and image highlights...

WeddingsAmberOctober 13, 2014wisconsin wedding, Kenosha, Festival Hall, Downtown Racine, Wedding Photography, Wedding StoryComment

Nick + Angela | A magical Wisconsin Wedding

The beautiful bride may have been wearing the Disney Cinderella Wedding Dress (by Alfred Angelo), but this wedding was far from make-believe. At moments it certainly seemed like a magical fairytale, but the reason so many friends and family members came to celebrate in August was because of the very REAL love between Nick and Angela.

I'm so excited to share their wedding story and image highlights...

WeddingsAmberOctober 4, 2014wisconsin wedding, Wedding Photography, Kenosha, Kenosha Country Club, Wedding StoryComment

Wedding Sneak Peek | Bryan & Maddy

WeddingsAmberSeptember 7, 2014sneak peek, wisconsin wedding, Wedding Photography, wedding, Strawberry Creek, KenoshaComment

Wedding Sneak Peek | Nick & Angela

WeddingsAmberAugust 17, 2014sneak peek, wisconsin wedding, Kenosha, Kenosha Country ClubComment

Love conquers all | A Kenosha Engagement Session

When Kyle and Samantha met online just over a year ago, they couldn't stop talking to one another. After several lengthy online message exchanges, they planned a formal date for a few days later! ...Except they couldn't wait that long, so they got together for a "pre-date" ice cream hang out the evening before their actual date. Love it!

Six months into their relationship, Kyle knew he wanted to marry Samantha. The last month for these two love birds has been quite the wild ride...

Engagement Sneak Peek | Kyle + Sam

EngagementsAmberJuly 9, 2014sneak peek, wisconsin engagement, Kenosha, Lake MichiganComment

"I Think I Wanna Marry You" | A surprise Kenosha Engagement

It was Thanksgiving and the garage was full of their friends and family, who were all enjoying the Packers game on the big screen. Much to Manda's surprise, Randy had arranged for everyone to be in on a little something extra-special, too.

Read all about Randy's surprise proposal and check out the image highlights from their Engagement Session...

Engagement Sneak Peek | Nick + Angela

EngagementsAmberMarch 17, 2014sneak peek, engagement portraits, Downtown Kenosha, Kenosha, wisconsin engagementComment

Love At First Text | a Kenosha winter engagement

As stunningly gorgeous as these two look, I can assure you, their beauty is not only skin deep. Ryan and Nicole are two of the classiest, genuine people we've met and their heartfelt love for each other is undeniable. Although they met briefly in fifth grade and shared a high school class or two together, it wasn't until this past summer that they truly hit it off. Nine months later, they find themselves head-over-heels for each other and counting the days until their November wedding.

As you look through these image highlights of Ryan & Nicole's engagement session from a couple weeks ago, I hope you enjoy the details of their beautiful love story...

EngagementsAmberMarch 3, 2014engagement session, Petrifying Springs Park, Winter, Kenosha, Wisconsin, dog, Engagement StoryComment

A Kenosha engagement wrapped in love & laughter

I am not exaggerating when I say that Mark and Raquel make me laugh more than any other couple I have met. They each have a sense of humor that is quick, clever and natural—it's only amplified when they are together. (Check out their Facebook wall conversations if you don't believe me.) You can't help but smile when you're with them. And we've learned that they can't help but smile & laugh when they're with each other either! These two best friends are tying the knot in September.

As you look through these image highlights of Mark & Raquel's engagement session from this fall, I hope you enjoy the details of their beautiful love story...

EngagementsAmberFebruary 25, 2014engagement session, engagement portraits, Kenosha, Petrifying Springs Park, Fall, Engagement StoryComment

Getting a jump on "forever" | Kenosha Engagement

In retrospect, it's obvious now that the end of their senior year (2012) at Carthage College was a defining moment. Forever grateful to the friend who introduced them, Spencer and Kathleen are now looking forward to wedding bells in August! We have absolutely loved getting to know these two. We first met Kathleen as a bridesmaid when we shot her brother's wedding back in 2012. We were honored when she called us up almost immediately after she and Spencer were engaged.

As you look through these image highlights of Spencer & Kathleen's Kenosha, WI engagement session from this fall, I hope you enjoy the details of their love story...

The most special fishing lure | Bryan & Maddy's engagement

I first met Maddy when I worked with her a few years ago. Her witty, laid back personality easily added her to my must-have friends list. After she introduced us to Bryan, it was obvious that they were perfect for each other! They're not exactly sure when they "officially" started dating, so they just picked 08-08-2008 to make it easy to remember. "It was around that time—early August—so we made it easy," Bryan said.

As you look through these image highlights of Bryan & Maddy's Kenosha engagement session from this summer, I hope you enjoy the details of their love story...