Dana + Dave

It is so hard to sum up in a short blog post all of the images that were captured during a wedding day.  There are the details, the unexpected emotions captured in the camera, the portraits, speeches, dances, and the list goes on and on.  I have to pinch myself a little bit when I think about how lucky I am to share in all of these moments with a bride and groom.  

Dave and Dana's wedding was an absolute stunner.  Each detail was so carefully planned and realized throughout the day.  I attended college with the couple so it was an extra bonus for me that I got to catch up with old friends and laugh and share the day with fellow Brits.  Their ceremony and reception was held at Westmoreland Country Club outside of Chicago, Illinois.  The grounds were gorgeous and set the perfect backdrop for Dave and Dana's late summer wedding. 

While the entire day was perfect, I have two favorite moments that I just have to share. The first was the couple's first look.  They were so anxious and excited to see each other.  That one moment before they saw each other for the first time on their wedding day was filled with so much love and anticipation. I felt so honored to be a bystander watching all of the love between the two of them.  My other favorite moment had to be on the dance floor. It was the best mix of different generations just busting a move together. The couple had an awesome band that kept the party going late into the night. 

Thank you so much for including me in your day, Dave and Dana. It was a true honor to capture the memories and to get to know all of the people that celebrated with you. Cheers to a life of happiness and endless celebration together! 

Jack + Kathleen

Seriously this engagement session . . . perfection.  Kathleen, Jack and I all went to college together and it was so fun to see them again.  I am so thankful for our little college and the bond between all of the Albion alumni.  But anyways, back to these pictures.  Kathleen picked downtown Dexter for their shoot and I am so glad she did! I had never been, and we were lucky enough to get a perfect evening to explore.  It was one of those locations with great flowers and scenic trails, but was also close to the downtown area for a few urban photographs which gave their shoot some nice variety.

Kathleen and Jack were so comfortable with each other the entire time.  I loved watching them interact from behind the camera and seeing how sensitive and sweet Jack was to Kathleen. True love! I am already looking forward to photographing their wedding in Ann Arbor next summer.  Happy planning, you two!

2014 Highlights: Part 1

I simply cannot believe that we are getting ready to wrap up another year.  I wanted to take time and highlight some happenings from 2014.  In all honesty this year has, by far, been my favorite year yet.  Because I just can't get enough of 2014 I thought I would break this up into two posts.  Today highlighting some of my favorite client photo shoots and later this week highlighting some of my favorite personal photos.  

2014 was the year that I made the leap to follow my dreams and make photography my full time job. It was a difficult decision full of emotion, fear and uncertainty.  I haven't looked back once. Photography is my true passion and I feel my love for photography growing deeper with every photo shoot. This year I worked on an amazing project with the Downs Syndrome Guild of Southeast Michigan, photographed a whole bunch of little ladies in their momma's wedding dress, shared in wedding days and met so many amazing families.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting my passion and letting me share in the story of your family.  Thank you for letting me into your homes and making silly faces to get true smiles, thank you for exploring parks together, showing up rain or shine and letting me share tears of joy with you on your wedding day.  My clients are the best and for you I am so, so thankful.