Flannel Angel

This is a dear and wonderful friend of mine, Laura. She's an incredible, generous, and loving human being. She teaches Yoga (side hustle) in Milwaukee.

This is a personal project of mine.... More when all is said and done. 

I want to break it down for how timing, location, lighting, clothing/props, and a graceful subject comes into play. 
I wanted a Winter Wonderland. So not too much snow falling on subject or icy cold conditions, but ya know just right. Ha! I had my props and clothing for Laura at the ready. I scouted this area last summer. Remembering I saw this last year and knowing how beautiful the pine trees would look with snow I called my location to ask permission to shoot here. I happen to like winter and even enjoy it. Watching the weather that morning, we hoped in my car and drove out to this beautiful location. This one makes me smile BIG. I love everything about it. The lighting is soft, my subject is shining, the plaid pops from the background, and they are joyful photos.  💖💖💖

Ain't LOVE Grand!

What can I say ? These two, they melt my heart. I've had the honor of getting to know Madie over the last five years and then more recently got to know her sweetheart, Andrew. They're fun to be around, full of love, joy, some sass(ha!) and kindness. It fills me with joy to see them in a beautiful & loving relationship. Their friendship grew into a love relationship over the years. This year, in May they are to be husband and wife, partners for life! To say I'm excited for them and their families is an understatement. 💘

Here's a part of an article that  they are in M Magazine. There is also a GoFundMe page that friends and I set up for them. We all want them to have their fairy tale wedding! If you feel like donating that's great, or spreading the word helps too.



When Andrew Gerbitz first met Madie Ehlers at a Special Olympics basketball practice at the Pabst Farms YMCA in Oconomowoc 10 years ago, he believed his prayers for someone to love had been answered. Gerbitz, now 36, says, “I prayed about it and God brought me Madie.” 
Ehlers was just 16 at the time, though, so Gerbitz had no choice but to wait for her. And, like many romances, there would be obstacles to overcome. 
“Six years ago, Madie was diagnosed with a rare brain disease,” says her mother, Mary Beth Freckmann. “She had three brain surgeries, two in 2014 and another last October. Andrew’s been through a lot too. He lost his dad.”
Over the last several years, Gerbitz and Ehlers grew closer, taking classes together at the Y, dating to get to know each other better, and, at long last, finding love. Just thinking about that makes Ehlers dissolve into giggles.
“I just love him so much,” she says. “He’s so kind and he makes me laugh a lot. I just can’t take my eyes off of him. I can’t stop thinking about him.”
One year ago, Gerbitz surprised her when he got on his knees at their Zumba class and asked her to be his bride. Ehlers, without hesitation, said yes. The date is set for May 30. The bride and groom, both living with Down syndrome, are looking ahead to their big day with the same determination they’ve brought to every other milestone in their lives. 
“I am continually impressed with what Madie learns,” says Freckmann. Although experts told Freckmann early on that her daughter would likely be limited in her abilities, she is working at a local restaurant. Ehlers also wants to become a Zumba instructor and to take voice lessons. With help from her mom, she has also launched a chapter of People First, a self-advocacy organization for people with disabilities, in Lake Country.


GoFundMe
https://www.gofundme.com/f/cfunee-love-is-love

MKE Lifestyle
http://www.mkelifestyle.com/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=15MinutesWith%3AAndrewGerbitz%2CMadieEhlersAndMaryBethFreckmann&category=Milwaukee+Resources&fbclid=IwAR2kgLFz3At26IOQfGJ4JD1-IWpzZIRM13-Ne_cG7JiGTFNtWHvQAjtSX4g

Tito at the Office

Tito, named as in the tasty vodka, goes to work nearly every day with his Dad, Justin at Shorewest South Metro.  Tito was about 4 ish months here. That my friend, is a challenge to have a pup sit and stay! One trick is I have them up on furniture. Usually works for a few minutes. :)  And a few treats nearby doesn't hurt either.

In need of a kind and friendly realtor?  Justin might be your guy.
Justin Ippoliti
jippoliti@shorewest.com
414 419-4797

Molly Goes to Grant Park

Molly & Macey's first and last official photo shoot together. It's a bittersweet story. Molly was rescued from a hoarder's home. She ended up with Macey, who patiently trained her to be less timid and more outgoing. I would have never guessed Molly started off her life that way, since she took to me right away. Sadly though, Molly is being re-homed due to extreme allergies that Macey's bf has to her. The good news is that Molly is going to a home with a little boy who loves dogs. Macey did the best she could for Molly. 💗

#GetOutside

This past weekend (Friday-Monday) I was out enjoying the trails at Rezter Nature Center out in Waukesha. Four days of hikes = good for the mind and body. I shared a few of these images on Instagram. Follow me there if ya like. https://www.instagram.com/stefbartzphoto/

Miss Della Wells

  Portrait by Stephanie Bartz- all other images pulled from the web

I've been a fan of Milwaukee self-taught artist, Della Wells, since the moment I saw her collage style images years ago. I love her use of color and materials to tell stories. I proudly own a small art piece and doll. Plus, conversations with Della leave me wanting more time to talk.

She has been in shows around the country and now is one of a dozen local artists chosen to be a part of the new Milwaukee Bucks arena. https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2018/03/09/new-milwaukee-bucks-arena-feature-work-della-wells-dozens-other-artists/394532002/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6HwWpHA-Lc

Logan in the Snow

Challenge: dogs that  wander off if unleashed. Solution: use heavy duty rope attached to a 30 pound Kettelbell that rarely gets any use! In theory that was a genius plan, in reality it worked OK since this sweet & playful pup, Logan, was strong enough to drag the weight all over the place. It did keep her from running off into the woods so that she could play fetch with their parents. I also sought out a quiet location to help avoid distractions.

I love snow as a backdrop to portraits.