Vow Renewal at Helmer Castle in Jackson, Michigan - Kayla + Kyle
Kayla and Kyle renewed their vows at Helmer Castle for their 10 year wedding anniversary, and I'm so thrilled to have witnessed this day so full of joy and emotion. Kayla and Kyle's son was part of their special ceremony, along with Kayla's best friend. And they picked an amazing venue to host!
Engagement Session at Big Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City, Utah - Miranda + Colin
As a photographer from Ann Arbor Michigan, I'm kind of starved for photo locations with mountains. We have mountains in Michigan, but they are 10 hours from where I live and let's be honest-- they look like hills in comparison with what's out West in America. I love a good park or botanical gardens, but it just isn't the same. So when I booked a trip that had me flying into Salt Lake City, I knew I had to get a couple in front of my camera in the mountains for engagement photos. I wonder if Utah wedding photographers ever get sick of photographing love in such a beautiful location.
Rainy Day Engagement Session at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Today I am reflecting on Courtney and Chris' engagement photo session and, as always, feeling such an intense sense of gratitude for being able to capture such a special moment in their lives. It seriously never gets old for me-- people only hire an engagement photographer once in their life, and sometimes they choose me?! Absurd. I am constantly reminded of the privilege it is to be able to document love and to witness the raw and real connections between two people.
UP Adventure Engagement Photos at Black Rocks Beach in Marquette - Janie + Jacob
I am constantly jealous of photographers who live in geographically beautiful areas. Like, the kind with EPIC beauty— mountains, coastlines, beaches, rock coasts, etc. If you’re a photographer and you want to make yourself feel really bad, follow a bunch of photographer from Utah and Oregon on Instagram. “Should I just give up entirely and maybe sell socks at the airport?” is something you’ll be asking yourself on a daily basis.
Family Photo Session at Cranbrook House and Gardens - Perez Family
If you’re a photographer in Southeast Michigan, you know Cranbrook Gardens is the ideal place for a picturesque photoshoot.
Engagement Session Downtown Ann Arbor - Alyssa + Ben
This session was actually a combination of graduation + engagement because Alyssa and Ben are just overachievers like that. They both had just graduated from dental school, and Ben flew Alyssa (because he’s also a pilot.. like I said, overachievers) to Mackinac Island where he proposed to her before flying back to Ann Arbor. People who are planning to propose soon— are you taking notes??
Surprise Proposal at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor - Julia + Carson
If you’re looking for a place to propose in Ann Arbor, look no further than Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Conservatory. On a cold (but sunny!) day in March, Carson proposed to Julia at the botanical gardens. The spot was perfect, and so was the moment — the sun was just peeking through some clouds and it made for some really elegant, precious photos of this moment that Carson and Julia are going to remember f o r e v e r. I might have mention this a few times in various blogs but MAN I love my job, it is truly the best.
Engagement Photos at UMMA in Ann Arbor- Rachel + Frank
If you’re reading this because you’re a fan of photography in general, or because you’re looking up places for engagement photos in Ann Arbor, you’re in the right place! I also want all of my session blogs to be a good resource for other photographers who are looking for inspiration or info about shooting locations that they’re considering. Any time I go somewhere new, my anxiety forces me to exhaust the google and instagram search bars for any information I can about a place before I go there. What are the coolest places? When is the best time to go? Is there parking? (In Ann Arbor, there is never parking. lol. bring your walking shoes.) So hopefully this is helpful to anyone who is planning a photo session at UMMA and wants the inside scoop!
Surprise Engagement Proposal at U of M Stadium in Ann Arbor - Vivian + Aaron
When Aaron contacted me and said he was planning to propose to his girlfriend Vivian at Michigan Stadium and that he was looking for someone to photograph it, I couldn’t say yes fast enough! Anything that is a surprise is my absolute FAVORITE. It’s so fun to think about how Vivian walked into the Stadium a girlfriend and walked out a FIANCEE and had no idea that her day would end up like that. As were walking out afterward, Vivian said “I thought he was going to propose to me at the Taylor Swift concert.” If anything can compete with Love Story, it’s probably this.
Tips for Wedding Photographers & 2024 Couples!
Relaxing isn’t really a word that synonymous with the wedding industry, but giving yourself and everyone around you time to relax on the wedding day is really going to make all the difference. It’ll make a difference in photos but it will also make a difference in how the day feels, and how you are able to enjoy it. One of my favorite things to do with a couple is to just tell them to take a couple minutes to decompress, relax and be in each others company. Make them forget there is a timeline and a camera and let them feel the happy energy of the day without an agenda. They will be able to slow down and make a mental snapshot while you get actual snapshots. Just remember to take small moments to relax, because the day flies by so fast if you don’t take the time to enjoy it.
Couples Session at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor - Marielle + Miles
One of the reasons I love to shoot weddings is because the wedding is the entire point of the photos—everyone in front of the camera is so distracted on a wedding day because they aren’t there to get photos taken, they’re there to get married. That makes my job as a documenter easy. When you set out to do a photo session, it kind of feels like the photos are the whole point, and it’s a really hard thing to fight.
7 Unique Venues in Michigan you NEED to Consider for Your Micro Wedding or Elopement
I think it’s important for a wedding to be both beautiful AND affordable. That’s why I developed a love for micro weddings and elopements, and that’s what you’re going to find in this list - venues that are beautiful, that will get you some gorgeous pictures and allow you to have the best experience on your wedding day without getting too overwhelmed by the cost. Choosing a unique venue is the first step in creating a wedding that really looks and feels like you and doesn’t conform to what you think your day should look like.
Why You Should Have an Intimate Micro Wedding from an Ann Arbor Wedding Photographer
The evolving social landscape and the desire for more meaningful interactions have played a role in the rise of micro weddings. As couples prioritize quality time with their loved ones, the allure of an intimate celebration that fosters genuine connections and cherished moments has become increasingly attractive.
Ann Arbor Wedding Photographer on Forgetting Everything You Thought You Knew About Weddings & Wedding Photography!
As a wedding photographer, here’s what I’ll tell you about the photo part— if you forget everything you thought you knew about weddings and wedding photography, your wedding day and your pictures will be so much better for it.
Farm Wedding at Peacock Road Family Farm in Lansing, Michigan - Allie + Charlie
As an Ann Arbor wedding photographer, this was a little bit of a drive for me but I would make the trip out again in a heartbeat to enjoy this fantastic venue run by fantastic people.