We started off the shoot at this ridiculously rad mansion in Indian Village in Detroit. Three floors of early 20th century amazingness, and the top floor was completely empty and an open slate for shooting. It was incredible. This first shot is a cell phone snap ↓

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got a bunch of people together to enjoy some food, pool time, lawn games, and sparklers. It made for great times and even better photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A quick shoot in the freezing late-November weather for the Student Ministries event calendar.

 

 

These particular photos were used to update the NorthRidge Church website and various marketing materials. I got to work with an awesome crew, as well as my great friends and fellow photographers Rob Woodcox and Ally Powell. Here’s to trying new things and growing creatively, every second that you possibly can.

Anyway, I hit the road again for their wedding at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and it simply doesn’t get any better than these two. It was a bit of a cold and blustery morning that day and the idea of an outdoor ceremony was somewhat up-in-the-air. Luckily, the rain held off and the skies opened up literally minutes before the beautiful bride was set to walk down the aisle. Guests were chilly, hair was blown, and seats were damp; but there was peace, and there was love. Outdoor ceremonies make for some of the most intimate, and romantic settings and the beautiful scenery of these gardens was no exception. I was just marveling at the serenity of it all.

So let the whole page load, this one’s a doozy! Over and above all else, enjoy the story of their day told through these images. Kelly and Matt are such a special couple and I was honored to play even a small part in their big day. I’m off to shoot my final wedding of 2011 on Saturday in Holland! Thank you SO, SO much to all of the clients, friends, and family that made this year possible. It was so ridiculously exciting and I’ll be sharing more and more weddings and engagements in the coming weeks along with a “2011 :: Year in Review” post. Big things coming, stay tuned!

MASSIVE Thanks to Michael Newsted for assisting me on such short notice for this one. Such a rad dude and an instant friend. Some of the shots you’ll see below are his ridiculously-good handiwork. Check him out if you get a chance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Rapids, MI :: 10.14.11

Ceremony Venue :: Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

Reception Venue :: The B.O.B.

DJ :: Ex-Treme Creative Entertainment

Flowers :: AndyLou’s Flowers

Cake :: Sweet Cakes

Second Shooter :: Michael Newsted Photography

When I first saw Jessica and Justin walk in to Starbucks to meet with me a couple of months before this shoot, I knew it was game-over. They weren’t even talking to me yet and she was already smiling and laughing with him. As we talked through their journey so far and where they’ve been and where they were headed, I knew I wanted to play a small role in whatever they had up their sleeves. I was completely enamored to be honest. They’re simply that cool.

Fast forward a little bit to their engagement session. It’s an incredibly beautiful and warm October night and we decided to meet at their great little home in Royal Oak. I was already a bit worried about how much time we’d have to actually shoot their photos as it was beginning to get dark so much earlier and we were getting a bit of a late start on our evening. My worries turned to fear when we got on the highway to go from Royal Oak to Detroit and traffic was at a dead stand-still. Naturally, if we didn’t get a chance to shoot the photos it wouldn’t be the end of the world, we could simply hit it another day. But it was seriously a PERFECT night for pictures and the weather was just going to go downhill after that, I just knew it. So here we are, completely stopped in traffic with seemingly nowhere to go and no pictures being taken. I left out one minor detail though, Justin is a Detroit Police Officer who really knows his way around the entire area. Before I knew it he had slapped a laminated paper in the window stating he was on “Official Police Business”, told me to hang on, grabbed Jessica’s hand and we were flying down the shoulder of the road. Great progress was made as we swerved in and out of traffic, down the shoulder, and down some sorely-neglected back streets with some angry fingers and cigarette butts thrown at the car all along the way. Needless to say, we were in Eastern Market for part 1 of the shoot sooner than I ever thought possible given the situation. No harm done and an even more exciting blog post to boot.

Before I knew it they were completely rocking my camera to a level I never expected. We gave Eastern Market a run for its money before hitting Belle Isle and the harbor for the Detroit Police Station for some awesome once-in-a-lifetime photo opps. Seriously, that place was teeming with opportunities for photos and that could be the first and last time I’ll ever be allowed to shoot there. But I’m okay with that, because Jessica and Justin took every single location we hit and blew it up to the next level while having the most fun and sharing some of the most genuine love I’ve ever seen a couple share. If you can’t tell, I was dang excited about this session. Just one of those ones that reminded me over and over again why I love my job so very much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite parts of my job is setting couples up in a given location that I think looks awesome, but then just letting them be themselves and not really posing or instructing them in any particular way. I put Jessica and Justin in front of this rad garage door and then just kind of stepped back and put the viewfinder up to my eye. This is what ensued:

Justin: What should we do?
Jessica: Should we dance?
Justin: Robot?
Jessica + Justin: *immediate robot dance with included sound effects without hesitation or looking at each other*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following the amazing ceremony the rain had suddenly let up, allowing us to make our way out into some golf carts and have ridiculous amounts of silly fun with their bridal party. It probably should be illegal to be as awesome as this wedding was. Nevertheless it happened, they’re married, and they had a heck of a party getting there. Congratulations Rebecca + Scott, and thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commerce Township, MI :: 08.06.11

Venue :: Beacon Hill Golf Club

DJ :: Double Trouble DJ’s

Flowers :: Suzanne Immerfall

Cake :: Lakes Cakes

With family coming in from New York, Chicago, Texas, Michigan, and beyond they wanted their wedding to feel more like a family reunion than a stuffy, formal event. They booked the AMAZING Mast Farm Inn and built from there. With help from her Mom and girl friends, Rachael made some amazing DIY touches, and let the rest of the venue and the picturesque mountains speak for themselves. The flowers were picked from fields of wildflowers that morning, and most of the delicious food had been harvested that day from the garden at the Inn! Things were kept simple, they wanted to focus on the big picture of their love and spending the rest of their lives together. And they definitely did that, but in the most beautiful way one could ever imagine. It was incredible.

Also, they had a really sweet Photobooth and were featured on the best bridal blog in the whole world, The Knotty Bride!

THE REHEARSAL ::

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE WEDDING ::

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banner Elk, North Carolina :: 07.23.11

Venue, Catering, Cake :: Mast Farm Inn

Band :: Creekside Grass Band

Flowers :: Pearl’s Garden and Shady Grove Gardens and Nursery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NELLY BABY!!! (She had a scratch under that band-aid that got removed in the rest of the photos, but of course looks awesome as a rapper)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making an appearance with Mom and Aunt Cali

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS FACE!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two are ridiculously in love. I mean, it’s crazy. They met each other on a Mission Trip, they couldn’t stop thinking about each other, she moved to Nashville to be closer to him, and the rest is history. This wedding was unbelievable. A small group of family and friends gathered together for the entire weekend and made me feel so at home! We celebrated Natalie’s birthday, the Rehearsal, and the Bachelor Party all on Friday, talk about a party! Toss in a few family BBQ’s, some time in the pool, late night games of Mafia, and you’ve got yourself a killer wedding weekend. It doesn’t get better than this, people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orlando, Florida :: 08.20.11

Ceremony :: Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College

Flowers :: Suzanne Immerfall

Cake :: Linda Sherrill

Catering :: Chef Michael O’Brien

Venue :: Longwood Community Building

Videography :: Your Brighter Image

What more could you ask for?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Howell, Michigan :: 07.30.11

Ceremony :: Family Farm

Flowers :: Tina Spencer

Reception Venue + Cake :: Crystal Gardens Banquet Center – Livingston

D.J. :: TJ Monte Productions

We laughed. A lot. And Kipp dropped a “That’s what she said.” To say I’m excited for their wedding would be an understatement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grass Lake, Michigan :: 07.16.11

Venue :: Eyry of the Eagle

Flowers :: Sweet Pea Floral

String Quartet :: Allegro Wedding Music Ensemble

Catering :: Zingerman’s Catering

Cake :: Zingerman’s Bakehouse

D.J. :: John Bommarito

Boston::

Nick and I flew into Boston for Adam and Mary Kate’s wedding, not because it was anywhere near the wedding in Uxbridge, MA; but because I had never been there and had heard great things. And let me just tell you, Boston delivered! This city was amazing, you feel like you’re stepping in to a small town in Europe when you walk the back streets. We walked a lot, drove a lot, visited Harvard, and ate at Cheers! (which neither of us recommend, it was a bad call). Either way, it was an awesome trip and an amazing city through and through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mackinaw Island and Northern Michigan::

My family, Cali, and I all went to Mackinaw Island, Traverse City, and some other great spots in Northern Michigan for a few days in August and it was spectacular. No matter how many times I visit these cities I’m still blown away by their beauty. We rode bikes on the island (a tandem for Cali and I), kayaked near Traverse, and even got a chance to meet up with our buds Bryan and Mae while they were in the city as well! If you’re not from Michigan and you are reading this, you need to check out the Northern half of our state. You won’t regret it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago::

When I got the call to shoot Sean + Katye’s Engagement session in Chicago, I knew I had to make a trip out of it. So I grabbed my two best buds, Ferdinand and Evan and we hit the road to stay with some family I have outside of the city. We got to spend a beautiful day walking around downtown, hitting some stores, the beach, and the pier, and just having some great laughs.

 

 

Ferd: “What are you doing?” Me: “Taking a picture of all of us.” Ferd: “That probably didn’t work.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uxbridge, Massachusetts :: 07.02.11

Venue :: Arrowhead Acres

D.J. + Karaoke :: Cape and Islands Entertainment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dearborn, Michigan :: 07.09.11

Venue :: The Dearborn Inn

Cake :: The Pastry Palace

Flowers :: Floral Sense

We got awesome pictures and new friends, what could be better?! So check out the photos below and be sure to head over to the post about us on their website here and show them some love as well!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enough about the party though, was Donna a beautiful bride or what? She didn’t leave a single detail unplanned about this wedding and I was so honored to have her and Danny as my first Middle-Eastern wedding. They got married in the beautiful Saint Mary Basilica in Livonia. I walked in and my jaw instantly dropped. The ceremony was nothing short of amazing.

Beautiful Ceremony + Crazy Dance Party + Awesome Wedding Party & Guests = Killer Wedding. End of story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Livonia, Michigan :: 06.12.11

Church/Venue :: The Basilica of St. Mary

Band :: Emad Batayeh

Flowers :: Flowers By Renee

Cake :: Sweet Dreams

Videographers :: Crossing River Weddings

The ceremony took place in the backyard of Kailyn’s parents’ home near Frankenmuth, Michigan. On my way there I found myself driving down a quiet dirt road, slowly beginning to see wooden, hand-painted signs pointing the way to the nuptials of this beautiful couple. I rounded one final corner and saw that the entire street had been put in to wedding-mode. Ceremony in the parents backyard, reception under a tent in a neighbors backyard, and the other neighbors supplying surprise fireworks during the recessional. Family and friends spent the whole evening partying under that tent and just having one of the most genuinely happy times I’ve ever seen a group have at a wedding. I was awestruck by the happiness and hospitality the family and bride and groom gave us and their guests through the whole day and I was absolutely honored to be involved in such an great day. Kailyn and Ryan, you guys are simply the best!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frankenmuth, Michigan :: 06.25.11

Venue :: Private Residence

D.J. :: For a Song and Dance

Flowers :: The Lamplighter

Cake :: Sugar High LLC

Catering :: Fandangles Restaurant

It took countless emails, meetings, hours, frustrating moments, and thinking for it to get to this point. It took a designer that really gets me and my mission, and I couldn’t think of anyone better than Nick Keebaugh. The guy is incredible, he seems to just whip things up and they look amazing. Heck, he’s even my second shooter for most weddings. That’s how talented he is.

I haven’t reached the end of my creative journey here, this is really just the beginning. With each new revision of my brand and each new person I meet along the way I get more and more excited to be doing what I’m doing. So, check it out, tell me what you think, and get ready for a new blog post every day for the next week or two. On your phone? Just head to the normal URL and you’ll be greeted with a nice mobile version of the site. It’ll be awesome, I’m so glad you’re along for the ride.

 

They got married at one of the most awesome hotels in the state of Michigan. They had one of the most awesome weddings in the state of Michigan. End of story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rochester, Michigan :: 05.14.11

Venue :: The Royal Park Hotel

Strings :: Rondo String Quartet

Flowers :: The Parsonage

Cake :: Lorna’s Bakery

Band :: Mark Harrington and Terry Stevenson

These pictures were done as a Father’s Day gift to their Dad and I can only hope they bring him just as much joy to receive them, as I had taking them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They’re having an outdoor ceremony next month and I can’t even wait. They’re just that cool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chelsea and Jenna were my first wedding of 2011 and I couldn’t have thought of a better way to start off the year. They planned every detail of their farm wedding down to a tee, and Chelsea was working hard to make sure everything looked perfect right down to the final minutes. The flowers were beautiful, the venue was beautiful, the decor was beautiful, and of course, the bride was really beautiful. The way Chelsea watched his bride as she came down the aisle, and the look he had in his eyes as he watched her from across the room was completely inspiring. It’s wedding days like this that make me completely overjoyed and incredibly thankful that I get to have this as my job.

So to Jenna and Chelsea: a million congratulations. I was absolutely honored to spend this day with you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Venue :: Cobblestone Farm

Catering :: Jeff Zak Catering

Flowers :: Enchanted Florist

Cake :: Queen of Hearts Bakery