Archive for the ‘Engagements’ Category

Kathleen + Andy: Grand Rapids Engagment Photographer

February 5th, 2013

TweetKathleen knew Andy was worth it. She knew he was worth moving to a completely different state because their love is powerful. When it’s meant to be, you know it. I loved meeting and working with Kathleen and Andy for their beautiful morning engagement session at a the local apple orchard in Grand Rapids. I [...]

 

Kathleen knew Andy was worth it. She knew he was worth moving to a completely different state because their love is powerful. When it’s meant to be, you know it. I loved meeting and working with Kathleen and Andy for their beautiful morning engagement session at a the local apple orchard in Grand Rapids. I was so glad they made the drive up from North Carolina to spend the day with me.

The morning light was calling our names. It was chilly but they were troopers. I can’t wait to shoot their wedding in June!

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My chair is making a comeback. Best Craig’s List purchase I’ve ever made!

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Love the yellow gold, Andy did an amazing job picking out this bling!

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Kathleen wanted to do a little picnic scene and I was happy to hide out in the bushes and document it ;)

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One of my faves!

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It was cold, about 40 degrees. A blanket was much needed. This was shot around 10am. This light, which photographers call “Golden Hour” is available in the late evening about an hour before sunset and early morning right before harsh noon light. (F/2.8 @500  ISO 200 70-200mm lens) More tips on shooting in the sun here.

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Next, we headed inside to the Amway Grand to warm up.

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Love the gorgeous background this wall created.

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Mary + Josh: Henry Ford Museum Engagement

December 12th, 2012

TweetMary was the cute curly haired girl sitting at the back of the school bus. I was never cool enough to sit in the back with the cool kids. Mary never cared about all that. She invited me to come sit by her and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world! We became [...]

 

Mary was the cute curly haired girl sitting at the back of the school bus. I was never cool enough to sit in the back with the cool kids. Mary never cared about all that. She invited me to come sit by her and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world! We became “bus friends” over the next couple of years being in the select few of high schoolers who didn’t yet own a car. Mary was always laughing and it just seemed like people were drawn to her. She has that kind of personality. Imaging my suprise many years later when she contacted me about photographing her wedding. I was so honored!

After you meet Josh, you understand why he’s drawn to Mary. I’m not kidding you, (and by “you” I mean my millions of readers.. or just my mom who reads this blog) Mary and Josh are the cutest couple I have every worked with. Mary can never stop laughing and Josh just cracks up watching her. I love them together. They are both teachers and met at school. How adorable. I can’t wait for their wedding in August. We had a great warm day in November for their engagement session at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village.

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Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding Photographer

I like cowboy boots…

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Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding Photographer

Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding Photographer

Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding Photographer

Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding Photographer

Mary… georuous!

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Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding Photographer

Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding Photographer

Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding Photographer

The next cover of GQ, I think so Josh!

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Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding Photographer

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Tony + Emily: Metro Detroit Engagement

December 11th, 2012

TweetMy brother called me late the night before a wedding. I didn’t answer. I needed sleep. He left a message. I figured I’d check it in the morning. If it was that important he would just text me. Bad sister. Around noon the next day I was sitting in a church pew waiting for the [...]

 

My brother called me late the night before a wedding. I didn’t answer. I needed sleep. He left a message. I figured I’d check it in the morning. If it was that important he would just text me.

Bad sister.

Around noon the next day I was sitting in a church pew waiting for the ceremony to start and my mom texted me, “Call your brother!”

Ok, ok fine… I stepped out and before I could dial his number, he called.

“I proposed to Emily and she said YES!”

“Oh, is that why you called me?”

“Obviously.”

“Oh, little bro you’re getting married! I have to go shoot another wedding now, Congrats!”

“Thanks.”

My brother and I have never really needed that many words to communicate with each other. It just is. And I wasn’t completely surprised; more excited.  But I had another couple ready to walk down the aisle and I had to focus on them.

The fact is I always knew it would be Emily. I knew by the way my brother looked at her. There was never a question in my mind.

Jay (that’s what we call him) and Emily were brave enough to bare the cold and take orders from me on a cold November day at Stoney Creek.

This is Oakley, she is adorable, hyper and supper loving. My mom got to wrangle her for the day. She asked not to be pictured. However I still have some blackmail photos saved for later…

When it’s November in MI, it can get pretty grey out. Especially in the sky. I wanted to work in golden hour light however, because the sky was so grey (see more below) there really wasn’t a good amount of sun shinning during Golden Hour. So, how do you fix this and still make faces pop against a grey backdrop AND pull out color in the leaves? Over-expose +1 or +2 stops. Why? It makes colors muted to blend into the background but doesn’t blow out Caucasian skin tones. Another tip: Use a long lens. The 70-200 f/2.8 is magical for shots like this. I was also laying on the ground.

Emily’s makeup is compliments of yours truly….

It was about 30 degrees during this shot. I’m so glad they trusted me.

One of my faves.

Check back for their wedding in June. I’m shooting and standing up as a bridesmaid. Why? Because I’m crazy, but I have a lot of great help lined up!

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Amanda + Chris: Beach Engagement

July 18th, 2012

TweetAmanda wasn’t sure about him at first. Who was this guy their parents tried to set her up with? After a couple of drinks around the campfire, Amanda decided to call it a night. Later that year she met Chris again at Grand Valley State and something changed. She saw his sweet side and his [...]

 

Amanda wasn’t sure about him at first. Who was this guy their parents tried to set her up with? After a couple of drinks around the campfire, Amanda decided to call it a night. Later that year she met Chris again at Grand Valley State and something changed. She saw his sweet side and his charm. Chris asked her out and the rest was history. Amanda was hooked. Chris proposed after graduation at the sleeping bear dunes and I can’t wait for their wedding next summer!

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Chris and Amanda wanted to do their session at their families cottages in Baldwin, MI. A day on the lake filled with sun and fun? I was totally in. It proved to be an amazing backdrop.

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I also fell in love with their dogs…

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Meet Tucker and Abby.

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And Miss Maizy.

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Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding

Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding

Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding

I love these two together. Many thanks to Amanda and Chris and Amanda’s amazing parents for the boat ride after the session!

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Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding

My mom tagged along because she was in town for the weekend. I think she enjoyed the boat ride the most.

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Why Your Engagement Session is Important

June 25th, 2012

TweetLets face it, you’re future husband’s not that interested. You haven’t had a professional picture of yourself since high school senior portraits. What’s the point? Why is your engagement session is important? Actually, for all the above reasons! 1. You need non-wedding photos of the two of you. It’s been too long since senior pictures. [...]

 

Lets face it, you’re future husband’s not that interested. You haven’t had a professional picture of yourself since high school senior portraits. What’s the point? Why is your engagement session is important?

Actually, for all the above reasons!

1. You need non-wedding photos of the two of you. It’s been too long since senior pictures. Get something nice for your momma’s mantle. Maybe you might even need the image for a professional head shot for work or community involvement? I’m always happy to work these into a session.

2. You lean how to get comfortable in front of the camera. This is huge! Not only is being in front of the camera awkward at first, it’s also nerve wracking and a little strange. How do I stand? what do I do with my hands? How do I just look natural and not smile? All of these kinks can be ironed out before hand when you have time. There’s nothing like being rushed on your wedding day and not feeling comfortable in your pictures.

3. You connect with your photographer. (And your photographer connects with you!) Having someone you’ve met maybe once before taking your pictures is going to be uncomfortable at first. Who is this person? Do we have anything in common? She wants me to do what?

4. It’s a time to slow down. Couples usually book engagement sessions 4-6 months before their wedding. This is usually the time when things can get a little chaotic with planning. I like to give my couples a minute to simply reconnect with each other before we start. I tell them to take their time. I may snap candid shots with my zoom lens from far away. I give them a minute to just be with each other. Whether they talk, laugh, kiss or just sit quietly it doesn’t matter I let them relax. After I feel like they are comfortable, then I start giving a little instruction and moving them into poses.

Here are few examples…

 Donna and Adam

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Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding

Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding

Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding

Amber and Tyler

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Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding

Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer, Wedding Photographer Grand Rapids MI, Wedding Photographer Metro Detroit MI, Metro Detroit Wedding