Ella: Newborn Photo Session

The Many Faces of Noah: 3 Months

Trash the Dress Session Scheduled! Sunday June 7th, 2009!

Take part in the my new "biannual" tradition of a group trash the dress session! Space is limited to a maximum of 7 girls (and husbands if you so choose) so email me now to reserve your spot! Here are the details:

* Professional makeup at my home office beginning at 10am
(www.christiesmakeupcreations.com)
* Session in various (and exciting!) Detroit locations from 1-3:30pm
* DVD with all original images
* CD with all edited images
* Online viewing
* Professional leatherette folio with 8 favorite prints
* Photo Release so you may make copies wherever and whenever you choose
* $250 fee includes all of the above

***$50 deposit books your spot!
***Deposit is non-refundable but applies to the final cost

Anna and Bob

Well, the rain from my previous days' wedding didn't subside. In fact, it was much worse- it was laced with snow flurries and much, much colder!
I started at Anna's parents house in Trenton where all of the girls as well as Anna;s mom and dad were getting ready. As soon as I saw Anna's dress hanging in the doorway, I was completely awestruck on how pretty the crystals on her dress were- and it wasn't all over, just on the belt of the dress.
After the detail photos at the house we (Mike Staff Videography)headed over to the church to get the photos/video of the guys before the ceremony began.
It was challenging, I must admit to get the photos in the church, because unfortunately there was a leaky roof, so there were orange buckets on the alter area. It worked out fine in the end though, just had to do some creative cropping so there was less photoshop work to do to make them disappear.
because it was pouring like mad, we went over to the former Grand Hotel on West Jefferson, literally a block from the church. The hotel had a bar, and the manager agreed to let us take some photos there, once I coaxed that there would be a good 20 minutes of drink orders for the over half a dozen bridal party.
The reception, held at Arnoldo's, was of course fabulous. I was thrilled to be able to work with an awesome wedding planner, Tracie Morris of "You're the Bride." In my opinion, you really cannot go wrong with this hall. The food is ALWAYS fabulous and the staff is always nice.
Congrats you guys! Anna, you looked absolutely beautiful! And Bob did a great job smiling for the camera! xoxoxoxoxooxoxo

Melissa and Tim

Ahhh. Mid November. It is this time of year that is completely unpredictable- it could be 55 and sunny or it could be like this day- 40 and rainy. All day rainy really.
Melissa and Tim really didn't mind all that much- and if they did, they sure did hide it well! You could tell it really wasn't about the party, but more about their marriage that they were the most excited about. I was super luckly with these two- soooo completely photogenic, as well as probably one of the coolest couples I know.
On this day, I was also lucky enough to work with one of my very good friends again- Kristyn from Castle Video. We started off at the church where everyone was getting ready. The brides room was huge- kind of like the one at the Grosse Pointe Academy chapel. It was a great room for getting ready photos! We were able to get the photos of the girls and guys ahead of time without the bride and groom seeing each other. After the ceremony, instead of starting off with the group family photos, Kristyn and I took Melissa and Tim around the beautiful church for their photos before we lost any of the natural lighting peeping in thru the doors and windows. It was great we did it that way, because I was able to get some GORGEOUS shots with the light!
The reception took place at Villa Penna- one of my favorite reception halls. Like Penna's, Villa Penna has the Italian Wedding Soup that gets me so excited! And the cake!!!!!!!!!! OH that cool cake!
The room was decorated gorgeous, of course with Melissa and Tim's awesome taste; they really went all out. I loved the fact they had a sweetheart table for dinner instead of a traditional head table- so classy in my opinion!

Congrats you guys! Let the "Tour of Downriver" begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxoxoxoxo

Post #2: Kenley the Rockstar

I call this "the Rockstar Post" because Kenley's poor mom, Tricia has been waiting ever so patiently for these photos of her little girl!

Engagement Session

Mallory and Craig

Hmmm. As I write this I honestly feel like that clay snowman that sings in my favorite holiday movie "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." The weather was cold and blowing- a typical November day and I think we could all feel the snow creeping upon us in the air.
It was certainly a lovely day for photography- overcast with wind to blow the veil around- and unfortunately when it is windy- the hair blows around too! It is kind of like being on Belle Isle- wind almost everywhere, anytime of year!
Anyhow, I started off at Glen Oaks in Farmington Hills where the reception was taking place. The girls met me here to start their individual photos, then got on the limo to head over to the church. Then the guys arrived and I got their photos done, then we all headed over to the church for the ceremony.
By the time the ceremony ended, it was pitch black outside and we were pressed for time. I took a few photos of Mallory and Craig, then I finished up the remaining family photos. In the winter months, when it gets dark outside around 5pm, I suggest the bride and groom see each other ahead of time if the ceremony begins at 3pm or later. This way, you will still get your cool and artsy outdoors shots with some light. No worries though, because I can still get some cool photos in the dark- it will just be a different type of photo than what you are used to seeing- but still very cool!
After all the photos were complete at the church, we hurried back over to Glen Oaks for the reception. To my surprise, I ended up working with one of the coolest DJ's I have ever met- Wayne from Rockout Entertainment. Google this guy! I can't believe what a great DJ he is!
All in all we all had a fabulous day- but who couldn't with a couple like these two?

Congrats Mal and Craig- xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox

Katie and Kevin

There is something about this couple that I seriously love and I can't quite put my finger on it........Hmmmm, let's see- unfettered kindness? Awesome personalities? Kevin's little boy dimples? Katie's awesome camera looks? Ok ok, it is all of the listed!
What a fantastic day we had; from the start to the finish!
I started of the big event with some getting ready photos at the Hyatt in Dearborn, where Katie was getting ready. her room was decorated fabulous by the girls- it was Katie's birthday as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a cool anniversary- double gifts! LOL :) Anyway, the window in the hotel room provided for some kickin' photos of her. The couple wanted see each other before the wedding to get most of the photos out of the way, so me and my lovely Kristyn from Castle Video set it up where they would see each other for the first time under the clock tower inside the Henry Ford Museum at Greenfield Village. You can take wedding photos inside as long as the wedding is taking place at Lovett Hall or in the museum itself.
During the last 5 minutes of our photo taking session, the last stop was the Oscar Meyer Wiener-mobile on display in the museum. All of a sudden my eyes lit up with mush satisfaction as I approached the wiener truck. Whoa, this thing brings back major high school memories.......I was in 10Th grade and in 4Th hour, which happened to be my French class. After cheating on my test by using the guy who sat next to me- George Hong's answers, I got caught and yelled at by the teacher. She gave me one opportunity to make up the test in two days. That day came it just so happened to be the day the wiener truck showed up at school. Mr. Wiener-mobile was only there for an hour, and it was well known by all my peers that I wanted to take a photo pretending I was eating the big hot dog. I KNEW that damn wiener truck had to make a stop at my school one day......and it arrived. So, I had two choices: take the test and miss Oscar, or screw the test and visit the truck. In the end I made the right decision- I still have the photo and the wiener whistle to prove my actions! That day was the last time I saw the wiener bus until now!
Ok, enough of my own moments.
The ceremony took place in the lobby of Lovett Hall- and it was gorgeous. The bride and groom were disappointed, however, about the extra lighting they had purchased not arriving- at all. It was still cool to photograph, but that lighting sure would have made my life a tad easier :) I am SO used to photographing ceremony's with no artificial light allowed-and at least i was allowed to use flash so I really can't complain. Kevin and Katie are so laid back that even if they were mad as all heck, you would REALLY have to piss them off for them to show it.
After the ceremony, we finished up the group family photos and headed upstairs for the grand intros.
One of my favorite DJ's- Jim from The Party Doctor- was the DJ and emcee for the evening. What a great combo of vendors we had this day, if I may say so myself!
Dinner was FABULOUS as always at Lovett Hall, and what a great idea- the Faygo Float Station. Good choice!

Congratulations you guys- you know you hold a very special place in my heart! xoxoxoxoox

Lindsay and Kevin

Ahhhhhhhh the first day of November (there's a date thrown out for ya Rachel!) What a lovely day it was! Chilly but not horribly cold.
Another exciting Downriver wedding! The day started as usual- two hours prior to the ceremony start time. We began the days adventures at Lindsay's salon where she was getting her hair and makeup done for the big event. After the salon, we headed over to the church located in Monroe. The ceremony was sweet and lovely; afterwards were the traditional group family photos.
Since the reception was held at Arnoldo's in Riverview, we had plenty of time after the ceremony for some photos in front of the beautiful church, as well as over at Elizabeth Park in Trenton. Usually you have to make reservations when shooting at a certain part of the park, but I think because it was past the "official" fall season, we were all good.
For dinner, Lindsay and Kevin had dinner stations- and let me tell you it was a HIT! I love this sort of dining fare- I have seen similar dinners at The Roostertail as well as Petruzello's. Basically, instead of one long buffet line, people can go to different set-ups and pick what they want on their plate first- kind of like going to a Bridal Show. People LOVE it!

Congrats my loves- can't wait until we go out again! xoxoxooxoxoxo

Angela and Mike

I was very excited for this day! It is a rare even that I have a wedding close to home in the Downriver area, and whenever I do, I always feel a sense of closeness to the couple.............I don't know, maybe it is because being from Downriver compared to Macomb or Oakland Counties is a whole different world- and Downriver people just understands how our little world works...............ah, anyway, the point is that I usually only do about 5 downriver weddings a year, and it is pretty cool at the end of the night and it takes me only 8 minutes to drive home!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angel and Mike are a crazy fun couple. If I could have a poster couple for showing people how to truly be "candid" during photos, these two would definately be it. You never even had to tell them to be candid- in fact I often had to say "ok guys, it is time to look at me now!"
The day started off with photos of Angela getting ready at her parents house. It was a late October Day, an unfortunately, a rainy one. The weather certainly didn't get the bride and groom down in the dumps- they had no problem taking photos downtown on Woodward after the ceremony!
See, taking photos in the pouring rain really isnt a possibility- my camera lens will get all jacked up and all of the photos will have rains spots. But it is entirely possible when just the ground is wet and there is a slight mist- which there happened to be on this day.
The reception took place at Crystal Gardens in Southgate, and to be honest, I have never seen the rooms decked out like this before. It seriously looked the most beautiful I have EVER seen it before- they really went all out on the decor for this wedding! Not to mention there were 300 guests to fill up 2 large rooms; a Dj and a band (my favorite, Dal Bouey); two bars, a sweet table and other countless entertainment factors onvolved. But of course, who could have pulled this even off as lovely as it was/ None other than my wonderful Ana from Twofoot Creative!

Congratulations Angela and Mike! I still get all geeked up when I think about ya! xoxoxooxoxxooxoxox

Amy and Tim

Oh my my. This was one heck of a night if I might say so myself. Amy and Tim are some of the most hilarious people I have EVER met in my life-I love them dearly!
The day started off at the newly renamed Comfort Inn in Waterford. The girls were getting ready here, so I started my day off by catching some candid photos there first.
After the hotel, we headed over to the church for the ceremony. At one point before the ceremony began, Amy's brother who lives out of state showed up to see her after a long hiatus and it was a fabulous moment- I was thrilled to be a part of it. After the standard family group photos at the alter, I followed the limo over to Clarkston park for some outdoor photographs. The lighting was perfect for these photos and I was thrilled to be able to capture some great shots with some cool lens flare (sun spots.)
We then headed back to the Comfort Inn for the reception in the Grand Ballroom. This was the very first time I have photographed at this hotel, and was pretty impressed.
All in all, we really had a perfect day- but who wouldn't of if you were hanging around this couple?

Love you guys! Now your wedding had some memories I will NEVER EVER forget- especially at the park! xoxoxoxooxoxox

Reality TV

Ok, I will be the first to admit that I am literally a reality TV junkie. In between editing (I give myself a 20 minute break every 3 hours of editing) I watch my Tivo'd shows. What do these consist of you ask? Oh goodness, I should hang my head in shame but I REFUSE!

1. Real Chance of Love
2. Rock of Love Charm School
3. Rock of Love Bus (NEW!)
4. Flavor of Love (I miss it!)
5. I Love Money


I seriously cannot get enough of these shows. As a matter of fact, as I write this I am secretly watching my Tivo'd Charm School Reunion Show while my husband sleeps. Do you have any shows you love or are addicted to?

Engagement Session