Yesterday I posted my favorite wedding photos of last year; today it's time for all the fun of senior portraits, engagements, the cutest families, and a few drone shots sprinkled in for fun. And maybe even a puppy. It was a year full of color, delightful and unique people, and never too much time on Lake Michigan beaches.
2018 was a blast of a year in weddings. I got to celebrate with so many incredible couples, participate in energetic dance floor parties to my heart's content, and witness a lot of beautiful love stories unfold. Thanks to everyone who invited me into your emotional moments with warmth, trusted my creativity, and shared your wedding cake with me.
Now that it's cold and grey most days, it seems like a good time to remember what warmth feels like and share some photos from my trip to Puerto Rico last January. If you've never been, I recommend it 100%. I fell in love with the colorful beaches, the vibrant greenery, and, most importantly, the people. Everyone we met was truly kind, helpful, and generous. I was most struck by how, despite the fact that they were still recovering from the hurricane that had devastated their island several months prior, we did not meet a single bitter, grumpy, or discouraged individual. I came away feeling humbled by their abundance of good cheer and positivity, and refreshed by the appreciation of a slower, more gratitude-filled pace of life.
December 17, 2018 — No Comments
I can't help but grin when I look through the photos from Lia and Jeff's wedding day. From start to finish, the day was filled with laughter and overwhelming amounts of love. One of my favorite things is observing not just the love of the bride and groom, but also all the people they surround themselves with on their wedding day - and let me tell you, Lia and Jeff have a serious squad of awesome supporters when it comes to family and friends. They welcomed us into their day by offering all the food and coffee they had, and continued the day with the same generosity and warmth. It's such a good day when I don't want to leave at the end because I'm having too much fun. This crew knows real well how to love, laugh, and DANCE! My kind of people right here.
Also, shooting at St John's Armenian Church and the Townsend Hotel was a DREAM. More weddings there, please. The church is strikingly beautiful (hello stained glass and domed ceiling), and the Townsend is class and glam, located right in downtown Birmingham. Enjoy these snaps of lovely details and even lovelier moments, and thanks a million to Lia and Jeff for their kindness and infectious exuberance.
Shout-out to Leighanne Sturgis for being the best second-shooter around.
-Vendors-
Church: St John's Armenian Church
Getting Ready, Reception + Catering:Â Townsend HotelÂ
Florist: Breath of Spring
Hair: 6 Salon
Makeup: Todd's Room
DJ: DJ Esso
Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau
Cake Artist: Townsend Bakery
Kelsie and I first met several years ago while last-minute filling in as models for another photographer's styled shoot (since I know y'all are curious, I'll include some of those shots at the end ;)). We instantly connected over our shared passion for goofiness and photography, and have photographed lots together since then (pretty much all the photos I ever post of myself were taken by her) and shared the joys and challenges of our respective photography journeys.
I was so honored and excited when she chose me to do this portrait session with her and her husband. They wanted something that showed their personalities, so we got as weird and silly as we wanted to and it was great. We were kicked out of a parking garage, hid behind a dumpster, and recreated a section of Michelangelo's "The Creation of Adam".
And now! For the photos from the day Kelsie and I met, shot by Paige Gabert Photography
Wardrobe: Lamb Bride
Florals: Damsel Floral
Hair + Make-Up: Cheeky Strut + Siren & Proper
Film scanning + processing: The FIND Lab
Hyesoo and Sage love coffee, muffins, and each other. We met up at Lyon Street Cafe, one of their favorite date spots, and snagged some goodies and giggly photos. Then we headed to the beautiful Aquinas campus where we dodged some raindrops and enjoyed all the summer greenery. Can't wait to celebrate their wedding next year!
When the engagement shoot started with Kristen saying, "We brought a puppy, I hope that's okay!" I knew instantly that it was going to be a blast hanging with them. We met up in Whitehall, found a lighthouse, gushed together about how much we love Lake Michigan, and even took the drone out for a few minutes of sunset flight. Kirsten and Michael are incredibly genuine, kind (and ridiculously good-lookin') people. They love each other with sincerity and tenderness, and it was a joy to witness. Can't wait to see more of that love at their wedding next summer!
The way Zack and Devon love each other is pure joy to witness: they love with kindness, passion, and true appreciation for what makes the other unique. Spending the day with the two of them and their warm, hilarious family and friends was a blast and a half. Also, they had PIZZA at their reception! This day abounded with silliness, tears, tenderness, and a whole lotta fun. Zack and Devon, thanks so much for being a super rad couple, and for making my job way too easy.
Here's me with the coolest couple, all sweaty and disheveled like always at the end of a wedding day 😉
Vendors:
Venue + Catering | Emerald Golf Course
Make-up + Hair | Brad's Hair Studio
Ashley + Mitch love Grand Rapids, brightly colored murals, and each other. Pretty sure Ashley laughed for 95% of time we were hanging out taking engagement photos, and I say if you've found someone who makes you smile incessantly, you're doing it right. I can't wait to photograph these two lovebirds on their wedding day in just a few months!
This was such a truly beautiful day. Simple and meaningful, two people who adore each other saying their vows in front of only the officiant, two dear family members, the lake, and me.
Thanks to Silver Lake Sand Dunes for providing the perfect backdrop for their elopement, to the clouds for holding off the rain that was supposed to drench us all evening, and to this sweet couple for demonstrating so well how to love purely and passionately.
Officiated by: Tom F Hamel
Caedy is a Grand Rapids, Michigan based photographer who loves the mitten state and loves to explore outside of it.
