Okay... so they've been engaged for a while now.. BUT... last week I finally got a chance to meet them and do an AWESOMELY fun engagement shoot around the island...  we met at the coffee shop... I handed them my tandem bike ... and away we went..

It seriously may have been the most fun I have ever had with an engagement shoot.  We biked up around Mission Point (where their wedding will be in August), up the East Bluff, around the fort, on the dock...  soooo much fun.  A tour of the island on the back of a tandem... I had such a blast (I think they did too)... excpet of course when we decided to bike up Mission hill... pheeewww... this girl needs to get her bike legs back.

I really hope to do a lot more engagement shoots on the island... it is such a great way to get compfortable with the camera, see the island from a different view, and get pics in a completely relaxed environment!! ... 

**In fact... I am going to offer $100 off any engagement (casual couples shoot if happens after the wedding), for any couple that already has a package with me.. just send me an email.**

Love,
A

My favorite professor in college gave me a mini assignment years and years ago.. he knew I was getting pretty serious about photography and came up to me one day after class.. .handed me a book and said... read chapter 11...  (and then said... "I'm serious... just that chapter... you can do it" ... he knew I was a slacker when it came to finishing reading assignments).  In this chapter a professional photographer was so excited to be on a rare whaling expedition, they'd spent hours on the water, waiting to just catch one glance of this rare and beautiful sight... well, just as the whale was starting to appear this photographer went for his camera... messed with his settings, got everything perfect... and had MISSED THE MOMENT... not only as an image but in his life.  This story has stuck with me ...as a photographer I  find myself sometimes missing moments in life while they are happening because I am trying to "capture" it... its a lesson I think all photogs should take to heart...  what's more important shooting the moment.. or living the moment.. its up to each of us to make a conscious decision...

I tell you this little story because last night... the 4th of July, I'm on an amazing boat (the Mackinac Breeze) in the straights of Mackinac.. just yards away from the fireworks... a most surreal and beautiful moment.. I, then of course... naturally went to grab my camera... but I stopped.. and decided NO this is a moment I want to remember in my mind and completely enjoy it... and I must say it was THE MOST amazing and beautiful display of fireworks I have ever seen!!  All of my senses were engulfed by the awe of what was taking place around me...

Below is a quote I wear on a beautiful bracelet (thanks Kuz :)  every time I shoot a wedding...  may you all take this to heart and live every moment fully!!

"Teach us...that we may feel the importance of every day and every hour as it passes" (Jane Austen)...

BUT.. I won't leave you hangin'... I did shoot off a few pics before the show began...

 So...  there are a few pics..  this is "Duck, quack quack" ... heir to the Chief of Mackinac who was just inducted into the Smithsonian for his Native American walking sticks (He is definitely an Islander through and through).  He kicked off the fireworks from the back of the firetruck (a sight not seen too often on the island with no cars)...  again.. no fireworks... maybe next year!

Happy Holiday!
Love,
A

Earlier this week I went into my friend Nicole's AMAZING store on Mackinac LITTLE LUXURIES of MACKINAC ... and I am soooo not exaggerating...  its awesome...  my new favorite place to buy the perfect gift for anyone... girls, guys, brides, mothers, and even your little dog too.

She even carries my favorite product line AMBRE along  with tons of good quality lotions, candles, soaps, ... and some pretty darn cool postcards too (okay... they are mine... I'm a bit biased)... wink wink

Seriously if you are on the island you MUST check this place out...

AND MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!  Labor Day weekend Sept 5th I am going to be having a show with all my favorite Mackinac photographs... so come by the store (more details to come)

Happy 4th of July everyone!!

May your weekend be filled with all sorts of great fireworks!!

Love,
A

 Laura & Aaron tied the knot on the porch of the Grand Hotel this past Monday... I'm not even quite sure how to describe this couple...  extremely welcoming I guess would be the best place to start... Laura totally made me feel as if I'd been her best friend forever even though we'd just met a couple days before.  This sense of welcoming echoed throughout their entire weekend.  There was such a joyous atmosphere and appreciation for every single person.  I love it when this happens... this was not only a celebration of the love between Laura and Aaron but a celebration between friends and families coming together.

Also, I have to mention that The Grand was an extra special aspect of the wedding... Laura's family has had 4 generations work there and had spent many a summer walking the grounds.  Even her picture was on the wall from when she had worked there years ago... 

Laura & Aaron... thank you so much for being so gracious and beautiful inside and out.  It was such a pleasure to be a part of your wedding.  I wish you a lifetime of smiles...  don't think I didn't notice the way you two would sneak glances at each other!!

Love,
A

This past Sunday I had the great great pleasure to be a part of such a sweet ceremony and carriage ride.  Sarah had contacted me months ago and since then we've chatted over email time adn time again... I felt I knew her before we ever met... so when we met up the morning before their wedding we talked about the wedding... and everything else in life!

Again... this one was at the Grand Hotel... with the amazing Marty... and beautiful flowers done by the hotel's own flower shop Margret's Garden. 

Although I had to huff and puff biking up hill chasing their carriage (first one of the season... I was COMPLETELY out of practice).. it was totally worth it.  Most the time the carriage rides are my favorite part of the day... its when the couple relaxes and soaks in the moment... the most laughter, and tenderness... I love it!

Plus I got to see Sarah scrunch her nose...  and how Andrew's face would light up everytime she did!!

Sarah & Andrew... have so much fun in life together,  I know you will ... the two of you have such a strong bond that the world can only try to understand and I feel honored to have seen just a glimpse of it!!

Love,
A