This is Mel and Fred with their dog Atticus in their home and their neighborhood. I took these photographs over 2 months ago and I wanted to share them and tell my story of Mel Barnes. Mel and I moved to Madison together in 2006, we lived in a drafty old blue house that was frequently visited by mice, we lived off of leftover Persian food from Caspian Cafe (where we both worked - hands down best food in the world), we would get ice cream on the first snow fall every year and we often were found at MadCity Records in the dollar bins. We lived together in that house for 3 years, having 10 other roommates throughout those years but we stuck together through it all. I made a ‘no cat’ rule in our first year and she broke it, Señor Gomez came into our home, helped with the mice and taught me cats can be pretty great. We found our clothing at Dig n Save, we had crappy internet so we spent most of our evenings in our gross basement drinking coffee, doing homework and creating art or sitting on our front porch meeting people who to this day are still in our lives. I loved my years at the ‘01, I loved those years with Mel Barnes as my roommate. I love that Mel is now a lawyer for Planned Parenthood, has a real great dog, a loving partner and a beautiful home and I love that she asked me to come document their life.

I get the chance to hang out with Caitlyn at the studio I work at from time to time, and I just love her, she is hilarious, sweet and just one of my favorites. A few weeks back Caitlyn and Bryan celebrated their 2 year wedding anniversary and I got to celebrate with them by documenting their adorableness. I asked Caitlyn about their wedding and how he proposed to her and here it is in her words:

"We got married on Sept 29, 2012 and this coming Janurary we will have been together for 9 years. He was in my brothers band growing up and we started dating when I was 17. I went to California with my parents and my friend Brittney and I always get Bryan souveniers when I go on trips without him, -stupid things nothing fancy. So this time, we went to Bubba Gumps and I got him a fuzzy shrimp magnet. When I got home I gave him said magnet and he said, "I know you always get me gifts so I wanted to get you something." Of course he pulls out the rings and proposes in our living room. I have no idea what he really said but Kitty was next to him while he was on one knee and I started shouting, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" over and over. He finally said, "Yes, I have a ring!!!" All in all, I got a ring and Bryan got a fuzzy shrimp. We got married at Seno in Burlington which is a beautiful woodland center. The day was perfect so its hard to pick out a favorite moment. The weather was perfect, thank goodness because we didn't have a plan b, we were getting married outside no matter what. Seeing him at the ceremony was special because we didn't see each other before so he was all teary and cute. When we were anounced to the crowd our officiant accidently said "I present you, Mr. and Mrs. Williamson" so that was pretty funny since Bryan's last name is Mach. Overall, our wedding was wonderful. It was filled with friends and family from all over the country and looking back I wouldn't have changed anything. It was perfectly us. Not too much fuss, just fun. "

A few weeks ago I got together with my friends Jessica and Joseph to meet their daughter Dee Dee and catch up. I've Known Jessica and Joseph since the first week I moved to Madison, they both lived in my neighborhood and we would spend many late nights on the porch listening to records that would end in a dance party. I remember when Joey proposed, I remember their lovely wedding day and now, years later they have a little girl that I get spend time with and document her life .