Madison Family Photographer | Urban Lakefront & Ice Cream

Daughter holds stuffed animals

We marked Elsa's second birthday down at the Madison lakefront — and Lake Mendota had opinions about it.

We wandered through the beautiful Allen Centennial Gardens, saluted the seagulls down on the docks, and finished the afternoon the only way you can when you're this close to the Union Terrace — Babcock Dairy ice cream. Strawberry and vanilla. Obviously.

A few things I will always love about this session: the way Elsa kept losing a shoe (it is genuinely impossible to keep shoes on a two-year-old and I am here for it), the loveys she carried everywhere, and the moment the unexpected drizzle arrived and brought her pure, uncomplicated joy.

Picture of wishing tree at the park, 2 year old and dad are in background

moms ties a wish around the wishing tree

Two year old has tears while both parents comfort her

Family waters the garden with a hose and stream of water. Sun flare in the background

daughter holds stuffed animals in the garden

Mom crouches down to talk to daughter face to face in a garden

Dad swings daughter in the air, mom claps, sun flare

2 year old picks up pink bunny on green grass.

Two year old puts shoes on wrong feet

Dad follows young daughter on path. Light and sunflare come through trees

Mother holds up 2 fingers to help daughter count how hold she is

Happy family of. three sits on the park bench

madison-family-photographer

Both parents touch daughter's foot while playing a game.

Family together on pier, hugging tight, blue skies, wind blowing hair

The sky couldn't make up its mind. Sunny, then dark as night, then sunny again. Clouds ran a marathon overhead while the lake roared beneath them. For about twenty minutes we had one of the most fascinating visual canvases I've ever worked with — angry light, choppy waves, and a two-year-old who was completely unbothered by all of it.

Family looks at ducks on lake. Dramatic clouds and light present

Family walks on busy bike path

Family walk on busy bike path

parents walk toddler on path with sailboats and bright sun behind them and the lake to the side

parents walk toddler on path with sailboats and bright sun behind them and the lake to the side

Ice cream stand

Black and white photo of family ordering ice cream

focus on ice cream sign and prices with dad and daughter walking through the frame with cones

Family eats ice cream in crowded terrace

dad and daughter eat melting ice cream at the same time

Dad was an absolute trooper. Happy birthday, Elsa.

Dad carries daughter, side view, melting ice cream drips down his hand. Reflection of lake, flags, clouds in window.

girl makes an ice cream cheers with her parent

Whether you're celebrating a birthday or just an ordinary summer day in Madison, reach out to chat about documenting this time in your family's life.

Here is what Sherry had to say about working with me:

Jen is awesome. I cannot say it enough. She communicate really well. She meet us before the session to talk about our ideas and thought. At the day of the session, she let us to be ourselves. We did not do poses or anything like that. We just play with our kido and have fun. She take a lot of photos for us and end up giving us extra. The photos are the best part. It is so amazing and precious to us. The photos are so beautiful. I will high recommend to anyone who want to have their family photos.

xo, Jen

Beautifully Ordinary is a trademark of Jen Lucas Photography, LLC.