Sigma 35 1.4 mm Art Lens Review | Wedding Photographer Review | Photography

As my business has expanded I am lucky enough that my equipment has also expanded to better achieve my photography style. One of those updates was the Sigma 35 Art. Before this lens my main was the 24-70 sigma, but since the new lens came along I have it on my camera 80% of the time.

I love the focal length; it gives more to the surrounds and I don't have to deal with the warp at the edge that I did with the 24-70mm. The warp really came into play with Family Formals and Wedding Party photos.  

The 35mm is sharp as a tack. I really wanted a lens that would capture sharpness at the 1.4 aperture to better suit my style and I feel like I have fulfilled that goal with this lens. 

The focus for my lens is fast. I have had really good luck with my sigma lenses focus. I read a lot of other reviews before purchasing that stated the lens had focusing issues. My lens has been nothing short of amazing and has been my quickest lens focus out of all my lenses which for a wedding day is a must. 

The lense feels heavy duty. Compaired to my Nikon 85 1.8 and 50 1.4 it has more weight and a good feel to it.  

The 35 1.4 mm is not going anywhere and will defiantly be one lens you will not find me without. 

Setting Time Aside for Sunset Portraits | St Paul & Minneapolis Wedding Photographer | For the Bride

At the end of your wedding day you're finally married! As you are starting the reception with your friends and family, you have a little time to eat.  Once you have eaten and hydrated, I encourage you to set aside some 10 - 15 minutes for sunset portraits. Sunset will bring a close to one of the most adventurous days of your life and it also has the mostbeautiful light of the day that really cannot compare to anything else. (Besides sunrise ) At this point all your posed photos are done and I know you are excited to start the dance party! Before the big party grab your new spouse and photographer, put on your sneaky ninja shoes, dodge your guests, and book it out the door for the first photos where you are husband and wife. (People will congratulate you all night long if you let them! Take the back door if you need to!) Even if the sun does not shine on your day, take those few stolen minutes to spend with your new hubby and talk about the day. (With your photographer creeping at a distance)
I highly encourage ( if you haven't gathered that yet) all my MW couples to save at least 15 - 20 minutes from their reception for your first intimate portraits as husband and wife.

Trip To Chicagoland Speedway & Taste Chicago | Buckets Lists | Personal

I have a bucket list. I don't have an age limit attached to it, but whenever the opportunity (and finances) arise I like to cross those experiences off. Two big ones I have already accomplished are Visiting Japan and Skydiving. My current list has a lot of travel (Europe, Seattle, ect.) and experiences like a hot air balloon ride or holding a red panda. One thing I never really thought about was combining my bucket list with my husbands. After we got married Marcus's bucket list became a part of my own. One of his bigger desired achievements include visiting all the NASCAR tracks in the US. This past weekend we crossed our fourth track off the list by traveling to Chicagoland Speedway! 

It was a smaller track that is curved so no matter where you sit you will be able to see any part of the track. Marcus loved it; he brings a hat to be signed and was able to get a total of 10 signatures on it from this trip.  Although his favorite driver (Kyle Larson) didn't win, we still had a blast at the race. 

Monday, we explored downtown Chicago! We started the day with a Taste Chicago Food Tour by Tastebuds Tours. This was our second food tour our first being in downtown Minneapolis. These were our foods and Stops.  

Deep dish Pizza by Pizano's Pizza , a Brownie at The Goddess and the Baker, a sandwich at Als, cupcakes at Sugar Bliss, Chocolate at Fannie Mays and then we finished out with a brat at Berghoff. 

Our favorite food was by far the Brownie from The Goddess and the Baker. It was rich, moist, and delicious enough I ate it before getting a photo. The other foods on the tour were just so so. Our tour guide was sweet and knowledgeable making the tour worth while.   

After the food tour we went to the Skydeck at Sears Tower (Willis Tower) and went out on the Ledge. Not being afraid of heights, I started to walk out all confident and then about halfway changed my mind and started to walk backwards ! We finished the night out with deep dish pizza from Giordano's at Navy Pier and watched an Imax viewing of the Movie It. (We are horror movie people)