Lakeport State Park, Michigan
Summer sunset family sessions at one of my favorite state parks.
The Nichols Arboretum, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Lexington State Harbor
Andrea + Todd
The end of summer waves will always be a favorite. With how gorgeous our Great Lakes are, this view never gets old.
Backyard weddings are some of my favorite weddings. Sydney and Marcus were so excited to share such a beautiful day at their home they bought together earlier last year. These two are some of the most genuine and hilarious people you’ll meet.. and with such talent. After meeting at the local black box theater, these two were inseparable. This sweet family of four also shares humor and love with two smart and adorable twin 5 year old girls. Summer was warm and beautiful and the sun shining that day was magic.
Venue: Sydney and Marcus’s backyard
Flowers: DIY by Sydney
Cake: Betsy’s Bakes
A gorgeous vintage backyard wedding full of antiques and love. Stacey is a hairdresser and Jordan is a bee keeper among other things. Stacey’s mother owns an antique store in Port Sanilac, Michigan called Remarkables and beautifully decorated their barn in the back yard. It is literally one of the most unique and beautiful spaces I have had the pleasure to shoot in. It rained a bit, just as the ceremony began at Lady Of The Lake church and then cleared up enough for gorgeous portraits at Harbor Beach marina. A must have stop for a drink at Shady Shores and then onto an incredible party with dancing at sunset. The cake and pies were made by Stacy’s family and little honey pots were take home gifts to the guests. The end of summer in the mitten doesn’t get much better than this.
Private Residence and Downtown Port Huron, Michigan
The Ford Piquette Plant, Detriot Mi
I have watched these two and their beautiful relationship unfold over the last few years. I met Jen at a previous wedding and the friend circle of brides that would welcome me into the most beautiful friendships and memories.
Detroit has my heart. The coldness of this November day with bits of sunshine would seriously make the perfect day to the end of my season. The Ford Piquette Plant is seriously a vintage car dream and sooo the style of these two. Jen should be an interior decorator, as most of the pieces used for details, are her own. This woman has talent and one of the most beautiful hearts and Jake is the ultimate match, hilarious and one of the biggest sweethearts. Honestly I couldn't have asked for better people to share my passion with.
First looks are my favorite and so are sunsets over Detroit.. especially when we get to play on rooftops
In the thumb of Michigan, Grind Stone City.
These two beautiful souls.
Elle + Dave
Fort Gratiot County Park
Fort Gratiot, Michigan
Sunrise in November with a real life fire bender.
Lexington, Michigan
Collabs with friends
Detroit shines bright with these two gems.
I am going to start this blog first by saying that the year 2020 was about growth.
We have all grown in someway, somehow through the roller coaster of a year. I am ever so thankful to have reconnected with my clients and friends, enjoying the slowness, the time with my family and self reflection. Life is full of challenges and without them we would stay in the same place. Thank you for inviting me to share these moments of life with you. From playing in Detroit countless times and watching the sunset over the city scape from Belle Isle to traveling north to Traverse City to the vineyards. Being #smitteninthemitten continues. There was a lot of joy, laughter, love and light. As always, you all amaze me. So cheers to moving forward and hugs in the near future!
The Gem Theater, Detroit Mi
Talk about an insane, long awaited union of two of the sweetest, most creative women I know. Saturday was one for the books. I have never witnessed such an intense feel of love when both Elise and Kara walked into their ceremony space. The entire room was hollering and over the moon with joy for these two. As Elise's father had stated a few times "This is the couple of the year.." and it couldn't feel more true. Kara and Elise met 11 years ago through friends, and it was seriously meant to be.
Our day was wild and laid back at the same time.. Starting with the beautiful view from the Greek town Casino hotel where the ladies were getting ready. We wondered around The Belt before the ceremony started, pulling off some incredible images of the most vogue looking group of individuals. After the incredibly emotional ceremony ended we drank champagne with the WOW factor still intact.. marveled in the beauty of The Gem Theater before dinner started. After gorgeous speeches with friends and loved ones we got down to a group of talented musicians from Detroit Institute of Music Eduction (where Elise has worked for the last 5 years) and Elise's DAD got in on the action!!!
The last moments of light from such a beautiful day was spent with golden hour portraits, and very last.. There was no denying the love between these two and even Detroit was showing us so much love from everyone we passed <3
I couldn't be more happy for you both, I love you, my friends.
Downtown Port Huron, Michigan
Eastern Market
Detroit, Michigan
The Year of 2019.
I think travel was in the cards for me this past year because I went back to the mountains in Breckenridge, Colorado for a gorgeous elopement. Flew out to Savannah, Georgia twice to capture weddings alongside my best friend and fellow wedding photgrapher Meghan Melia. We also stayed on Tybee Island for a few days and kicked off the season in the best way. I dove all over Michigan aka The Mitten State, from Petoskey to Detroit and everywhere in between. Besides hanging around the woods and Lake Huron in my home town for sessions, I practically lived in Detorit part time. Belle Isle and the architecture of Detroit really does have a piece of my heart.
Life continues to happen and even though I get to share a lot of incredible wedding moments with clients, I watched one of my best friends get married this year, while another celebrated their 10th year anniversary. I was able to capture the engagement session of my older sister and her love, which was a very different feeling emotionally. The collaborations with amazing musicians to create portraits for thier art and other brand creatives was at an all time high. I played around at the annual Port Huron to Mackinac race Boat Night carnival with friends, along with photographing and being in complete awe of the musical talent from my city. I made some of the best friendships with incredible people along the entire year. I watched and supported one of my other best girlfriends compete in a body building contest, amazed by her with such dedication. I’ve gotten to revisit with some of my previous couples with winter sessions and met the newest memebers of the family with others. I have gotten to experience seeing the once newborn babes, grow within the year. My heart is just filled to it’s seams.. from my seniors to my families, artist portrait shoots and new couples I meet. I’ve laughed, cried, danced and hugged a ton with you all while making new solid friendships.. Life is simply amazing, I tell ya.
This is the year that I would be able to say was my transformation year. I worked the hardest I ever have, I traveled the most I ever have for one year with 106 total sessions.. 20 of those being MY Wedding Days.. plus 2nd shooting for at least a dozen more with other photographers. My team.. assistants and 2nd photographers, you worked the hardest with me, I couldn’t have done it without you.
Talk about hustle. Most day I don’t know when to stop until life forcres me to. I’ve still been learning the balance of business vs. personal life and well, it is still a work in progress, haha. I just love being with my friends/clients, I am so truly grateful ... I love growing with you and being a part of all of the moments life offers us.
CHEERS TO YOU!
