I LOVE what I do! Photographing people is my passion! I love dreaming of different ideas for shoots. I am naturally drawn to romance, fantasy, whimsical and of course sassy! I shoot over 30 weddings a year locally, nationally and internationally. I love to travel and combining my job with travel seems like the perfect fit for me! My photography services are available for Weddings, Family Sessions, Boudoir, Glam, Head Shots, Pageant & Model Portfolios, Maternity and Children. I no longer offer newborn sessions for new clients, only existing clients. 

All my sessions include hair and make up. I work with the best Glam Squad any photographer could dream of! I have teamed up with Viva Voce Salon's owner, Jayme Mees and her extremely talented stylists and Make Up artist, Sonji Steenberg of SonjiFace Make Up. When you step foot into the Portrait & Boudoir Loft, you'll sense the creativity and happy atmosphere. A session with me is a full experience. You'll leave with extra confidence and feeling on top of the world. We have fun in our shoots. That's a guarantee! 

I am a Member of the MNPPA (Minnesota Professional Photographers of America) and WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International) as well as a Founding Member of Twin Cities Wedding Professionals and Wish Upon A Wedding Minnesota.

Growing up in South Africa and traveling from the age of 21 has given me a well-rounded take on the world and its diverse cultures. I am a natural people person with a wicked sense of humor and I'd love to meet you! I love Coffee, Chai Tea and Chocolate. Feel free to pop in for a visit. I work most days in the Studio Office and would love to meet you! And PS FYI: My name is pronounced Don-ay! ;)

The Portrait Loft is located at 509 2nd Street, Suite 204, Hudson WI 54016. 

Weddings are an amazing lifetime event. A seasoned, professional photographer is crucial to tell your wedding day story. I have been photographing weddings for 11 years locally, nationally and internationally; from gorgeous barn settings to glorious yacht clubs, chartered cruisers, beaches, forests and intimate backyards.

I want to capture the way you smile at each other, that awesome bond the 2 of you have, the excitement on your faces as you see each other for the 1st time walking down the aisle and the joy you experience as you move to the next exciting chapter in your lives! I like to keep the big day upbeat, drama free and above all FUN! Throw in some romance, some artistic shots, some high fashion poses and real moments, and you have yourself one heck of a Wedding Day Story in your images! One day when you are old and grey and you're sitting in your rocker on your porch sipping tea (or bourbon! - whatever your choice may be), when you flip through your photos, I want you to grin from ear to ear as you remember every detail of your super sweet, amazing wedding day!

Below are my 3 packages that I offer. If you need help in deciding which package is right for you, let's chat. It would be 'just swell' to be your wedding photographer!

Flirty - $2,999 - 6 hours of coverage
Sassy - $3,999 - 8 hours of coverage
The "Diva" $4,999- 12 hours of coverage

All packages include:

• Donae as the Lead Photographer and a 2nd Shooter (Weddings out of the Twin Cities or State/Country will incur an additional fee - send me a message for information)
• Editing of Images (turnaround time depends on workload, but is approximately 8-10 weeks)
• Private Online Gallery of Wedding Images to share with your family and friends (high resolution with my Print Release)
• Unlimited phone calls, coffee dates and brainstorming sessions to PERFECT your wedding day!
• *1 hour Engagement Session {Twin Cities Weddings}
• 50 free miles of travel {additional miles @ 0.60 per mile}

A $850 non-refundable retainer is required, along with a signed contract to secure your wedding date.

If you do not see a package within the 6, 8 or 12 hour packages that fits your budget, I do offer a'la carte pricing of $500 per hour. My a'la carte pricing is not available on Saturdays during peak wedding season (May thru September), however if I am open on your wedding day and your wedding has a short booking window, it may be a possibility. Contact me and let's chat! You never know until you TRY! ;)

Available for Weddings Nationally and Internationally (Inquire for Pricing Breakdown)

*Engagement sessions do not add monetary value to your package. These sessions are an opportunity to get to know each other and for you to use the images from the session for a wedding slideshow, save the date cards, announcements, printing etc. The Engagement session occurs before your wedding and cannot be redeemed for a shoot after your wedding has occurred.

Need an Engagement Session without a wedding package? The cost is $475.

Want to add a "whimsical un-booth" to your wedding reception?

We'll set up a fun backdrop, provide the booth with props from hats to mustaches to signs to frames (the options here are endless), professional lighting and a fun, outgoing photographer to capture the wild, crazy and hilarious shots of your guests. The booth opens after your dinner/speeches/1st dance and will last until the end of the evening that you have contracted with Donae Cotton Photography. The Gallery for your whimsical booth is posted to your Facebook page for all your guests to enjoy and download at their leisure as well as posted to an online gallery.

A' LA CARTE wedding items may be added on to any package and include:

A 8x8 Leather Bound 20 spread Engagement album for $450
Wedding Albums ($250 design fee, a 6x6 20 page spread is $650, an 8x8 is $850 and a 12x12 is $1,250)
Hi Res copy of your Engagement Photos onto a Thumb drive ($225)

The Portrait & Boudoir Loft is located in downtown Hudson, WI on 2nd Street above the Viva Voce Salon on the 2nd floor in Suite 204.        It is spectacular & I pinch myself every time I come to work.  Offering natural light from the west and north, exposed brick walls (2 shades - one dark and one light), unique hardwood flooring and 12 foot ceilings. Adjoining the shooting space is the Make-Up room where Sonji will transform your look with her skills. Beyond her room is Viva Voce's Loft where your hair will be styled perfectly for your shoot with me. My studio office is adjoined to the Portrait & Boudoir Loft - that's where all the post shoot magic happens! I work Tuesdays - Fridays at the Office - feel free to pop in for a visit! Shoots are only taken by appointment and full payment is required to hold your slot. 

I offer and extensive array of clothing, lingerie and fun outfits (free for clients to use) and also rent them out to other photographers or private events/functions.

Our Space is available for rent for private functions such as Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Corporate Training Events, Yoga, Barre Classes, Fashion Shows, Small Business Meetings and Networking Business Training Seminars etc.

Visit http://vivavocesalon.com/loft-home.html or call (715) 808-8035 for more information and for booking details.

To contact me, email me on info@donaecottonphotography.com or call me on 651 829 1688

Hey! Did you know that SonjiFace Make up also offers private make up application lessons! Contact the Salon on (715) 808-8035 to schedule your one on one appointment and let's get you looking FABULOUS !