Friday, July 10, 2009

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Where Does the Time Go Anyway?

We love birthdays around our house!

This year we had a family & friends party for Carter in June to celebrate his 3rd birthday. The cake is probably as big of a deal if not bigger as presents. This year Carter requested a helicopter cake and had it flavored after his current Starbucks fav...Carmel Latte from Sweet Cakes. We give the boys free reign to design what type of cake and it's flavor, a role they take very seriously. They honestly start thinking about it months beforehand, It's actually rather funny to realize that their inventions have ended up as a regular menu item!

The cake!




Our sweet Carter what seemed like yesterday (around 8 months old).


And Carter now.




We just celebrated Ethan's 7th Birthday this evening! That kid has also grown up WAY too fast. I still have a hard time believing I'm old enough to have a second grader. Because Ethan wanted a larger gift this year (a camera -- woo hoo!) we opted to do a small family party which was really quite wonderful. Ethan decided he wanted a Pine Wood Derby Track complete with race cars. Cake flavor? Pineapple, Coconut, Mango, and Strawberry. And yes, it was SOOO good! This was also a Sweet Cakes creation. We LOVE Barb and her staff!





Ethan around 9 months (and me)...


Ethan all grown up...sigh.




Ethan and I did have a conversation tonight that has me feeling a bit better about him growing up. When he has his 15th birthday, he promised he wouldn't think he knows everything. :)

Monday, July 06, 2009

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John + Emily 6.14.09

A couple weeks ago, I had the honor of photographing John and Emily's Sunday ceremony and Champagne brunch in Eaton Rapids at the English Inn. I could say that Emily and John are smitten, but looking at the photos you will find that to be more than evident!

We arrived as Emily was just finishing up her makeup... I was immediately taken with her veil. LOVE it.


A quick make up check outside... perfect!


While I was shooting the make up photos, Ryan went outside to shoot her dress and shoes... also love.




Just a few more of the veil and Emily getting ready!










This wedding did not have a Maid of Honor or a Best Man. Instead, Emily had her brother be her Man of Honor and John's sister was his Best Woman. And if you think that just means that they stood up next to them... think again. Emily's brother was right in the middle helping with the dress and the shoes! SO sweet! My brother would have NEVER done that.




Waiting to see John for the first time...


Yah, he cried. :) Here's the smitten part. Actually from here on out.


They each brought letters they had written to each other. This is such a great idea. So easy to forget everything you want to say in all the hype.






Little girls still make me weak. Same warm fuzzy feeling when seeing a puppy.


The ceremony...












A quick shot with Emily's mom, Jane.


More fun with Emily and John :)






Brunch! Quite possibly one of the best wedding day meals I've ever had. HIGHLY recommend the English Inn.


And those of you who know me or follow my work, know that I have a slight obsession with these beauties.






















I find this one rather humorous. Ryan is trapped. :)


And then a little bit of ring art!






Thank you guys for letting us be a part of your day!!

Friday, July 03, 2009

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The Definition of Vintage.

I'm committing a big no-no and blogging out of order. But my boss says it's ok as long as I make it quick.

Tonight I had the honor of photographing Jung and Zach's engagement photos. I think we shot for almost four hours. We ran out of light towards the end, but that's what Trailblazer headlights are for, right? :) I had to post just a few of these...

Zach's grandparents' wedding attire from 62 years ago. Handmade. All the lace. All the pearl beading (real pearls, mind you). Undeniably breathtaking. Not only are they stellar in front of the camera, but we hit up TGI Friday's for a midnight dinner and they told me their incredible story. You'll have to wait for the full post to hear that part... for now, enjoy the beauty of a bygone era. You will definitely see some of these on the wall of my NEW STUDIO!! :D





And one of my favorite toys this summer... it was made for this photo.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

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Lindsey + Nick 6.13.09

To say I love this group of people is a severe understatement. It all started two years ago when Alicia found me randomly online and hired me to photograph her wedding to Kyle in Traverse City. We met on the day of the wedding and from that day, a truly genuine friendship was formed. Of her five bridesmaids, I've gone on to photograph two more weddings (including Lindsey) and am working on designing an album for a third bridesmaid who had a sucky wedding photographer (gave them the disk but never filled the album they had already paid for). Alicia is now the woman behind A Day In May that was voted favorite event planner in Northern Michigan. While Alicia just got to relax and be a bridesmaid in this wedding, you'll be seeing a few more A Day in May events in the very near future!

I met with Lindsey and Nick early last spring in a Starbucks next to Ikea. It was a no brainer. I think we had both decided that I would be the one to photograph their wedding. Which is good because if they were not in agreement, I might have had to crash the wedding and shoot it anyway. Nick is a swimming genius from U of M and just completed his master's in something medical and technology related (totally drawing a blank at the moment). It's always rather cool to hear that a certain Olympic gold medalist will be in attendance at the wedding. I generally don't get star struck and, in fact, didn't figure out who it was until yesterday when I finished editing the photos. The sweet part of the story is that Nick's old swimming coach's wife and kids came all the way from Europe so that the kids could be the honorary flower girl and ring bearer. The coach tragically passed away a few years ago but was certainly not forgotten. Another swim coach paid a beautiful tribute to him at the reception. Lindsey is no slacker either... she just graduated this spring to officially become a dentist and work with her dad's practice. Her dad could not have been more proud. Lindsey and Nick together are the perfect balance of laughter and stoic, carefree and efficient. One thing is for sure... they're smitten. And I am so thankful I got to be a part of their celebration.

Meet Lindsey.


And a few members of her entourage.




The aforementioned flower girl. Seriously sweet. Makes me weak.




Natural beauty.


And the handsome ringbearer... doing what boys do best when faced with a house full of women, make up artists, and hair stylists.




Love this bouquet. Soft and romantic.




A few of the girls steaming the veil. Never a shortage of laughter with these women.


OK, so the bride's room in the basement of St. Mary's in Ann Arbor is a little less than luxurious. Florescent lights. No daylight. A small sink and tungsten light over top. It did have the mirror pictured in the shot above. But the floor space was about the size of a walk in closet. Because I think the getting ready photos can be some of the most beautiful during a wedding day... I asked if she'd mind terribly if we could turn the florescent lights off. Because Lindsey is a rock star and she trusted me... I'm pretty sure she made a good decision. :)






These little gentlemen were pretty darn handsome too...






Waiting...


And the joys of a Catholic ceremony... LOTS of photo ops!








Lindsey's proud parents..






And Nick's proud parents...




Good times.


Yah, we were all dying laughing.


The party. :)






















And FINALLY a bit of sunshine on what was a very gloomy dark day. They were game to leave during the after dinner lull to grab a couple more shots. So worth it.






Remember that proud dad? Yup. Still beaming.








Nick's mom is too... and check out the way he looks at her. Boys sure do love their mommas.


And, as expected, the party continued to rock into the early AM.




Not to be outdone by the cowboy hats that were dispersed at Alicia's wedding, Lindsey's dad ordered 200 pair of chasing lights glasses! In memory of MJ, this is Alicia and Christina busting out to Thriller. ;) Lish is going to love me for this!!




Told you they're fun. :)


There's a small shortage of guy photos on this post because I haven't gotten Ryan's images yet... soon and very soon...

Also, I appreciate your patience with this finicky blog. This thing dates back many, many years. I have a new branding company working on a complete image overhaul (the blog included) but won't be ready until late summer. Should be much more user friendly and will actually load all the images!!

Friday, June 26, 2009

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Tuck in Time with Carter

AKA Peter Pan