Calista and Andy tie the knot!!

Calista and Andy are a sweet and high powered Michigan couple. 

Calista practices law and  owns her own law firm and Andy is an attorney at Suart Law PLC in Grand Rapids.  They got married last fall in Traverse City, Michigan. I was thrilled to be their photographer! What a fun and elegant celebration and I am sure that they will remember their day for years to come!!!
Here are some of the highlights:

Callista loved red and had a bouquet of beautifully rich, red roses...

 I love these soft blue shots of the couple on the waterfront!

And Callista and Andy, loving life with playful elegance!

Erin and Bryan swimming to the finish!

If you know Erin and Bryan from the pool, or well, at all,  then you  know that they think about their health, and their excitement about the  "finish" line alot!
These two lovebirds that are going to tie the knot in a few weeks and I can't wait to see what they have in store for their wedding celebration.
They are avid exercise enthusiasts, and I like to think of Erin's racing in triathalons as akin to taking on the commitment of a marriage...

So, here i go... just like any kind of race or triathalon, one has to know the course;

 you have to be consistent...

                                 and you have to be disciplined...

         you have to be willing to work through the pain...  and then relax when you race...

     and don't forget to enjoy the training...  but maintain that form!

Enjoy your race to the "finish" line you guys!  I expect your long life together to be like some kind of  olympic style marathon... and who knows where it will lead you.  But, you know that you have a willing partner to be with you  for the long haul, to pick you up when you can't seem to stand tall, to hold your hand during the hurts, to celebrate with you during the joyous times. This is a marriage race or ride of some kind and good luck to you both.  You have already won!!!

Wendy and Pete share a special day...

It was an ordinary day in October, except that the stars were aligned, the moon rose over the bay, the clouds parted and most of the leaves on the maple trees  turned golden and amber just for October 8th, 2011. 


Maybe it was an exceptional and  EXTRAordinary day!!

Everything was perfect!  The weather, the leaves, the mood of everyone, even the amount of time that we had to take pictures was so luxurious...
how could we not get beautiful pictures?

 

I know that Wendy and Pete felt that it was a special day!

 

 

 I love this photo of Pete and his groomsmen... serious and thoughtful while the gals in the background play in the water!  

mmmmm....

What a glorious start to a wonderful marriage!

Congratulations Wendy and Pete!!

Congratulations Ashley and Mike!

When you think about the perfect wedding... what comes to mind? 

Wonderful family and friends sharing special moments...?





Maybe walking  barefeet on beeches that lope along the clear, deep, blue waters of Lake Michigan...? 



















Perfect weather on a late fall afternoon?  Pumpkins and candles that light the way on a path under the trees with red leaves and orange leaves and crimson roses...?








 Oh, this was a perfect wedding.


Ashley and Mike shared a joyous and glorious day
at The Homestead in Northern Michigan.

The weather was perfect for a walk on the beach...

Not to mention a chairlift to the summit to exchange vows, and the very first walk on the beach as husband and wife...

 

and a very first dance on the beach.

 How perfect.

Congratulations Ashley and Mike! 

May your lives always be filled with special moments.

Wendy and Pete at the Lighthouse

Summer is all about weddings and engagements and fresh fruit and beaches, so when I'm asked to do a portrait shoot during the summer, I can only find a minimum of 25 locations to satisfy me.  One of my favorites for late afternoon summer portraits is the lighthouse located at the northern end of Old Mission Penninsula in Traverse City. 

I took Wendy and Pete there for their engagement sitting portraits and we had a blast! 
Wendy and Pete are the perfect beach couple... with casual clothes and barefeet...

 

It's difficult to tell, but they are standing inside of a heart made of rocks on the beach. 

Playing on the beach makes me think of warm sunshine smiley romance .  ( Is there such a thing?)

 

I love photos that are unstaged, real- as though i am catching them in their life, living those moments that are special to them.

Wendy and Pete make a handsome couple and I can't wait to photograph their wedding this fall!

Aubrey and Justin's Album Published!

Here's the cover  and part of the spine for their beautiful album!

Here's the back cover and the rest of the spine for their album..

and here's a spread too...

I've been getting into making albums a little more unique and special... I like them snappy too!

Steve and Marcie link hearts!

It probably isn't much of a mystery as to why I love shooting weddings. But if I had to, I'd say that it is impossible for me to ever tire of watching couples radiate love to each other on their wedding day (or any other time, truth be told).  It's the one thing that I always look for and try to capture.

Steve and Marcie were wonderfully tender and playful when they looked at each other. When their eyes met, their faces softened, and they radiated love.  Their faces are open, can you see it?- it's as though we are able to look directly into their hearts. 

And love is so evident.  I treasure the ability to witness this spark.  It's so satisfying to me on a personal level-as though I am a "voyeur of love". 

I guess there are worse things to be. And there are certainly worse things to photograph.  But, I have to say that it's great to have an insider's seat at a wedding. I never tire of it.  I love to be able to photograph a romantic and passionate couple. I would venture a guess and say that Marcie and Steve will have a vivacious and spirited life together.

 And I was there for the beginning.