RIP My friend

Dearest Chris,
May you rest in peace and watch from above all of your friends and family. Keep us safe and always under your angel wings. You will always be missed "Wrobo."

Chris W.
1980-2009

Engagement Session

Kenley the Rockstar: 6 Months

Monica and Chad

On this day, I totally felt like I was at home. This family is like my own, and since I photographed Monica's Sister's wedding back in 2007, I knew I was going to be in good hands on this very day.
I started the day off at the church to get some candid photos of the guys while I was awaiting the girls arrival. It was for sure damn cold out- like blistery cold. Lucky for me I keep my boots in my trunk so my toes don't explode while tromping in the snow and laying on the ground getting the good shots. I also bought and customized some isotoner gloves with two of the fingertips cut out on my shooting hand. I always feel like Michael Jackson in "Thriller" when I wear these gloves- makes me wanna dance.
After the ceremony, we headed over to this cute little park in Grand Blanc. the snow was pretty deep so i wasn't about to ask my girls to trample in the snow, so on the edge of the concrete worked just as lovely. After those photos, we went to the downtown area of Grand Blanc, which was awesome- it reminded me of an old miners town- brick storefronts and some boarded up windows which was DIVINE for wedding photographs- i love the urban feel!
The reception took place at the Holiday Inn of Lansing-West. The favors were ornaments that were pine combs- totally adorable. I always love it when I get my own little favor- I keep them all!
As I knew it would happen, Monica's dad gave his own speech which when he did it at Jessica's wedding, put me to tears- alot of them. it happened again except this time I was prepared and pulled out my napkin so i didn't look like a fool!

Congrats you two- make sure you take a close up look of the chicken photo in the reception photos!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxox Can your mom and dad renew their vows so I can be there for that??

Brandy and Robert

This was my kind of day- laid back, relaxed and fun!
Robert and Brandy are a quiet couple, which made it very easy for me to take the lead and make a ton of cool photo options- they trusted me 100% which made me feel like a rockstar right back! You would be amazed at how many family members at weddings try to tell me how to do my job- it happens all of the time to all different wedding vendors. This night was the complete opposite- just trust, fun and good food!
I started the day off at the church where the ceremony was to take place. I arrived before Brandy, so I went to the basement area where the girls would be getting ready. I got the photos of the shoes, dresses and flowers, and when Brandy and her girls arrived, I got those candids as well.
Robert hates getting his photo taken (like 99.9% of all guys) so I took it easy on him at first as I didn't want to drive him too nuts before the ceremony even began. I have to admit, though how impressed I was with Rob all day- he was a total trooper and smiled when needed to for photos and I seriously couldn't have been happier. I also got some cool photos of him next to the statue at Crystal Gardens.
The hall was decorated awesome, and they also did a candy buffet for favors- people LOVE LOVE LOVE candy buffets. I think the only person I know that doesn't like chocolate is Bri (yes,you.)
Overall what a fantastic day- cold no less- but what do you expect in December in Michigan? And the best? No one even complained about the cold weather!

Congrats you guys! I couldn't be happier for you! xoxoxoxoxoox

6 Month Session: Alex

Out Of Town: Vegas!!!!

Jennifer, (my Associate) and I will be in Las Vegas from Sunday morning February 15th and will be returning home on Thursday February 19th in the evening. We will not have internet access during the trip (hotel internet service isn't cheap in Vegas!) so we will return all calls and emails after we get home. Thanks!!!

Kathy and Chris

Kathy and Chris are the type of couple you want turn into stuffed animals, place them on your favorite pillow and cuddle with them at night- they are that adorable! Plus, they mesh so well together that you would swear they were put on earth for one sole reason: to be with each other.
I started the cold and snowy day off at the church in Warren. Both Kathy and Chris were getting their final details together here; Kathy was getting dressed at the church as well. I took the boys outside for their individual photos with Chris, then got some with Chris and his mom and dad.
After the ceremony, it was totally adorable- Kathy is a teacher and some of her students were in attendance for the ceremony. So afterwards, I took some photos with Kathy and her girls. Lo and behold, her students busted out their pocket cameras and asked me to get in the photos too! I LOVED it!
Kathy and Chris wanted to get all of the photos with the bridal party done at the church, so it was just us three that went to the Warren Civic Center for the outdoor portion of the couples photographs. This was a great idea because in the cold, it wastes' less time trying to herd all of the bridal party together for photos when it is 10 degrees outside! LOL!
I am always amazed at the beauty of twinkling lights and the way the background feels in the winter. Lights just make the photo that much more romantic and fun! After those pics, we headed over to the American Polish Cultural Center in Troy for the reception. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh......... tradition polish food CANNOT be beat!

Congrats Kathy and Chris- thank you for all of the fond memories I love ya always and forever!!!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Maureen and Kevin

Holy crap what a cold day. Then again, I do suppose it was the first weekend in December, so it s not like I expected it to be 80 degrees with low humidity.
What a great day, however, with giant fluffy snowflakes and great attitudes from everyone around- everyone was thrilled to be a part of this big event!
I started off the day at the ceremony location- the Grosse Pointe Academy chapel. This is a beautiful location with an AWESOME brides dressing room and some great stone work on the inside. The outside is also FABULOUS for photos after the ceremony (or before) of the bride and groom together. It is just an all around great spot. The downside? Ugh. This is a biggie; They literally only give you like 10 minutes at the most for family group photos after the ceremony at the alter. And I am not speaking like I have been there only a couple of times and this has happened- I am usually here about 10 times a year and I think the most amount of time I was given was something like 17 minutes- and I was shocked.............. On a lighter note, Maureen and Kevin were as laid back as they come- and were as sweet as pie (as usual :)
After the ceremony, I headed over to Blossom Heath to get the detail shots of the hall before all of the guests arrived. I then met the bridal party outside in front of the hall (Wahby Park) to take some outdoor photos. All of the Christmas lights were on display at the park, so it made for a cool background. But holy crap was it cold after like 3 minutes- I can't imagine what Maureen felt like!
I ended my day with a nice cup of hot chocolate while watching everyone dance the night away. Weddings in the winter time are quite honestly some of my favorite weddings- just watching people huddle together with rosy cheeks puts a huge smile on my face!

Congrats you guys- I will always love my "little 'Mo" and Kev! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Christine and Jim

Ahhh. The last weekend in November- just two days after Thanksgiving. Christina and James were married at St Joan of Arc church, which just so happens to be the location I began my day at.
I arrived a few minutes before the bride, and got all of my stuff set up. The church was beautiful and reminds of St. Mary's Orchard Lake- gotta love stained glass for photos!
Christine was a tad bit nervous so instead of pushing her to get the photos of her and each of the girls individually ahead of time, I let her relax and didn't bother her- I really wanted her to have a calm aura during her vows!
After the ceremony and the formal family photographs, we headed over to Wahby Park (Blossom Heath) for some outdoor photos. After November 1st, you do not need a reservation at the Park to take photos- you just have to be careful not to get in the way of any other couples who happen to be having their wedding at Blossom heath- they get first dibbs.
After Wahby, we headed over to Metro Beach for more outdoor photos- what a magical evening we had for photos that ended with a phenomenal sunset!
I headed over to the reception hall- The Concorde Inn- while the bridal party utilized their limo time and drove around and had some drinks.
What more can I say about the rest of the evening? Good food, good friends and an amazing party!

Congrats you guys! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo