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!