Bodin and Mikka Nichols met in Mikka’s hometown— Watford City, ND—when Bodin was visiting his dad for a few weeks of the summer.
As the summer drew to a close and Bodin didn’t get the chance to visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Mikka played the role of tour guide for him.
The rest, the couple says, is history.
When it came to planning a wedding, Mikka remembers it was important to find someone who could capture the day with dreamy-looking photos.
“A must-have for us was a photographer who shot both digital and film photos,” said Mikka. “We loved the look of film photos, but still wanted to have beautiful digital pictures.”
To find the perfect wedding photographer, Mikka says she scoured Instagram, coming across the well-lit and ethereal shots on Kelsey Jade Photography’s page.
Drivable Destination
With two different home states and guests from all across the U.S., Bodin and Mikka chose to get married in the Spearfish area because they went camping there while dating.
The couple knew they’d found their photographer, and planned the date for June 28th, 2024 in Spearfish at The Barn at Aspen Acres.
Though most couples find the process of wedding planning difficult, Mikka and Bodin enjoyed it.
“It was so much fun to dream and think of ideas for our wedding day,” said Mikka. “Many times, we tried to knock out a bunch of to-dos by heading to a coffee shop and making a little date out of planning.”
Kelsey shares her goal is to make clients feel as stress-free as possible, like the camera isn’t even around.
“My team and I have a very relaxed approach to posing, and we tailor wedding days to your needs and unique style,” she said.
MIKKA´S ADVICE
“It’s so easy to get caught up in all the tiny details, because there are a ton of them while planning a wedding. On the day of the wedding, none of those things even matter! What matters is that you have the best day ever, surrounded by your loved ones, starting the rest of your life with your partner.”
Starting out with a digital camera in college, Kelsey has gone from photographing landscapes and wildlife to now capturing natural and candid moments in relationships.
The photographer’s style is romantic and coastal, inspired by Kelsey’s love for travel, architecture, and the ocean.
“As a hybrid film and digital photographer, I work to create images that are true to life with soft colors, low contrast, warm skin tones, and natural blues,” she said.
Kelsey and her husband, Tom, initially bonded over their mutual love for photography, and the couple would bring a 35mm film camera on hikes. Now, Tom shoots with Kelsey, as well as learning alongside her and renovating the studio.
“He’s truly my rock, soft place to land, and my best friend,” said Kelsey.
“I love creating light and airy images, and I work to find the best light to showcase my couples.”
– Kelsey Jade Photography
In Vouge
Film photography is trending and can achieve nostalgic, dreamy shots.
To begin booking with Kelsey, couples send an initial inquiry, to which she reaches back out with a custom quote and timeline. Next, she connects with the wedding planner to schedule the day efficiently.
Depending on the package, Kelsey Jade Photography can photograph welcome parties, rehearsal dinners, after parties, or even a morning-after brunch.
Though weddings can be what Kelsey calls a “beautiful blur,” she is committed to capture how the wedding felt, and not just how it looked.
“Through the booking process, engagement photos, and wedding day, she was our hype girl, so professional, organized, creative, and—not to mention—captures the best moments in the most beautiful way,” shared Mikka.
To start their wedding day, Bodin and Mikka decided to have breakfast together at a cabin on the morning of the wedding.
Mikka says she will cherish the memory for ever: “We got to start the best day ever by praying together, having a coffee on the deck, and reflecting about our journey to get to our wedding day.”
For more information, visit Kelseyjadephotography.com+
