The Year 2019

The Year of 2019.

I think travel was in the cards for me this past year because I went back to the mountains in Breckenridge, Colorado for a gorgeous elopement. Flew out to Savannah, Georgia twice to capture weddings alongside my best friend and fellow wedding photgrapher Meghan Melia. We also stayed on Tybee Island for a few days and kicked off the season in the best way. I dove all over Michigan aka The Mitten State, from Petoskey to Detroit and everywhere in between. Besides hanging around the woods and Lake Huron in my home town for sessions, I practically lived in Detorit part time. Belle Isle and the architecture of Detroit really does have a piece of my heart.

Life continues to happen and even though I get to share a lot of incredible wedding moments with clients, I watched one of my best friends get married this year, while another celebrated their 10th year anniversary. I was able to capture the engagement session of my older sister and her love, which was a very different feeling emotionally. The collaborations with amazing musicians to create portraits for thier art and other brand creatives was at an all time high. I played around at the annual Port Huron to Mackinac race Boat Night carnival with friends, along with photographing and being in complete awe of the musical talent from my city. I made some of the best friendships with incredible people along the entire year. I watched and supported one of my other best girlfriends compete in a body building contest, amazed by her with such dedication. I’ve gotten to revisit with some of my previous couples with winter sessions and met the newest memebers of the family with others. I have gotten to experience seeing the once newborn babes, grow within the year. My heart is just filled to it’s seams.. from my seniors to my families, artist portrait shoots and new couples I meet. I’ve laughed, cried, danced and hugged a ton with you all while making new solid friendships.. Life is simply amazing, I tell ya.

This is the year that I would be able to say was my transformation year. I worked the hardest I ever have, I traveled the most I ever have for one year with 106 total sessions.. 20 of those being MY Wedding Days.. plus 2nd shooting for at least a dozen more with other photographers. My team.. assistants and 2nd photographers, you worked the hardest with me, I couldn’t have done it without you.

Talk about hustle. Most day I don’t know when to stop until life forcres me to. I’ve still been learning the balance of business vs. personal life and well, it is still a work in progress, haha. I just love being with my friends/clients, I am so truly grateful ... I love growing with you and being a part of all of the moments life offers us.

CHEERS TO YOU!

Janelle + Matt

The War Memorial

Janelle and Matt met on the sidewalk in NY.. already sounds like a fairytale, doesn't it? Janelle noticed Matt wearing Michigan State and chanted Go Green to him and he responded with Go White! This was how it all began. They had their first date at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC ( it's one of the little buildings on the cake top!) and they got engaged at the Philadelphia Art Museum. It only made sense that Janelle's sister Racheal wanted to incorporate art into some decorations for them. Hand painted little canvases on art easels, they were the cutest. The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe was a classic choice for the day. From the first look in the fern room, Janelle’s two piece wedding dress and that veil naturally blowing from the wind, to their first dance. These two were magical  ❤

Angel + Kurt

Lakeport, Michigan

If you’re ready to laugh and smile the whole way through a gallery, then this one is for you.

Angel, this beautiful and talented woman has been a dear friend since 19. She is ALWAYS laughing, always has a big beautiful smile and great energy. She and Kurt met at college in Michigan and moved to NY shortly after, I never was able to meet Kurt until the wedding day. One thing is for sure, this was a true match. Kurt smiles and laughs in equals measures with Angel. He also made their wedding cake, yeah.. talk about impressive!

They held their incredibly fun wedding in Angel’s parents backyard. I think I can speak for a lot of people who know the Assi’s, to say they are one incredible family. So many smiles, inappropriate and hilarious jokes combined with high energy..  I couldn’t help but laugh all day with them. 

This partly sunny day was the greatest mix on top of the surprise belly dancer, our trip to the beach for portraits and Angel and Kurt’s first dance/head bang as husband and wife. 

Ashley + Braxton

Holly, Michigan

A pure summer breeze swept through the trees on this most perfect day in Holly, Michigan. This was one of the most relaxed weddings of the season and completely filled with smiles. 

I met Ashley about a month and a half before her wedding in August. It was a last minute find when she was sent to me through our mutual friend and I could not have been more pleased. Ashley’s energy, this beautiful hippy carefree essence captivates you, and then you meet Braxton and it was like a piece of Ashley you didn’t know was missing and then found. Together they have Jude. This blonde haired, feral beautiful little boy. This family is so completely engulfed in each other and you cannot help but feel their love. My heart was so full just being around them.

Our day started out with the normal getting ready. Ashley’s dress was bought like a blank slate and she added her touch, her vision and it was like a dream. The gold with tear drop plugs and her barefoot jewelry was immensely perfect to her dress. 

Red Riding Hood Stables in Holly, Michigan hosted this gorgeous unity. Ashley and Braxton had their pups in the wedding party and Ashley’s mother embraced her arm as they walked down the aisle. The vintage couches for the ceremony,  the horses outside while they exchanged their vows in the late day sun, and dinosaurs with the sand ceremony. I felt like I was watching a film. Our agenda for the day was to enjoy it and gosh, we were. The big white tent and the handmade table favors, the pig roast and bbq was filling the air. 

I took Ashley and Braxton away into the next field for their portraits. This is the time I want my couples to let their moment fill their hearts and I let them enjoy each other. This couple plays and laughs and honestly are the truest of soulmates. 

We danced and had ice cream and cookies after dinner and played some more. The vibe of this wedding was unreal. 

Alyssa + Jack

Port Sanilac Museum, Mi

It's October in Michigan, and an early morning wedding was about to be held on the front lawn of the Port Sanilac Museum. Freshly made donuts, decorated by a friend and cider await the guests for this brunch style ceremony. Vintage 1950's style and peacock colors were the theme for Alyssa and Jack, but what is incredibly awesome about these two? They dress this way on a daily basis. The victory rolls and bow ties, a real 1950's wedding dress paired with a paper flower with music notes bouquet, assembled by Alyssa herself. These two melt me. First off, not only are they such beautiful people but they are quite the power couple. That's right, they play jazz together in their band Fifth Avenue. I became friends with Alyssa and Jack about 5 years ago, solidly. I saw them perform at a local summer festival here in our little town of Port Huron, Michigan. I was blown away at the angelic and powerful jazzy sound Alyssa belt out while Jack played his stand up bass. I came to find out that Alyssa was a pinup model and we ended up shooting together for the first time that winter. 

Since then I had anticipated this day. Not only are they a great couple together, but they are so supportive of each other creatively. They played with their band Fifth Avenue at the reception at Old Town Hall Winery, Lexington Michigan, cut a homemade cake made my Alyssa's sister and after the first dance we headed over to the Captains Quarters, a little air bnb for a quick portrait session. 

These two are classically in love.