I just came from Borders...  and bought this season's edition of Bridal Guide.  I opened it up to see a 4 page spread of one of my all time favorite couples Birdie & Matt.  I was so stoked when the magazine contacted me a few months ago and asked if they could feature the wedding.

This couple is absolutely amazing...  they are the epitome of true friends... to each other, to their families, and to basically anyone who crosses their paths.  I was so excited that they were featured.. not to mention they are gorgeous and their wedding was AAAMAAZING!!

If you get a chance check it out on your new stands...  (here's a weak pic taken with my phone) I was just so excited I didn't want to wait for the official jpg from the magazine.




Also, on the front... keep an eye open for an upcoming Knot Michigan where another wedding (Jennifer & Toby) are going to be featured... man am i lucky to be photographing such cool people!

My first Stonecliffe wedding of the year... and it was beautiful as always.  Carole Erbel (of For the Love of Mackinac) did an awesome job coordinating this wedding... she constantly amazes me.. .she even have beer that is only made out of state... hand delivered by a friend do the "guys" could have it before the wedding... wow, what a woman!!

Angelina and Jerry have been chatting with me for quite a while... so when we finally met it was like we'd known each other for years.  These two made me laugh so hard... so, every wedding I take gander at the group, the environment, etc.. and try to guess if they are going to be dancers going crazy, or chatters ... I don't think ANYONE could have guessed what dancing maniacs the entire party was... I LOVED it... then again, I probably should have been able to guess this by the gusto in which they sand Clemson songs... over and over... these two love birds met their first day on campus at Clemson... and they incorporated their alma mater everyway possible... from the colors, to the chants, to the tiger tail on Angelina's dress!!  Needless to say I have a whole new appreciation for Clemson, fencing... and tiger tails.

Angelina & Jerry... it was so much fun to be a part of your party... you all cracked me up had me in stitches.  I know this is only a hint into what your lives together will be like. May the future find you smiling and laughing everyday!!

Love
A

I was so excited that Lauren and Jeff found me on the island...  I had a BLAST showing them all around the island... shooting pics and documenting their excitement over what had just happened.

Jeff had JUST proposed to Lauren on their trip to Pictured Rocks the day before... and then they were off to the island for a night.  When they arrived they thought... geez... we should get some pics taken.  It was pouring rain... and the hotel where they were staying (Harborview Inn) called me to see if I were available last minute... so we met up and crossed our fingers for a beautiful day the next afternoon.  Well it was...  we were having so much fun going to all sorts of island locations.  (from the Grand Hotel to the Pink Pony, Anne's Tablet, the park and the harbor). What started as a 1 hour photo shoot ended up being a 2.5 hour island adventure... that ended with an island specialty...  Rum Runners at Mary's Bistro... where Matt (the incredible bartender) shared is fancy bar tricks with Jeff. 

Lauren and Jeff. .. I cannot tell you how excited i am for the two of you... remember what I had mentioned... you two are such a TEAM... I loved getting to know you and showing you my magical island. Come back and visit!!! 

I just had write this quick little story...

My long lost high school friend sent me an email the other day asking if I would be available for a portrait shoot on the island next week.  OF COURSE... so  this is what she wrote me next...

"Your photo shoots look so fun! I told the kids that a friend of Mommy's might take pictures of them having fun in MI. My daughter asked, "so we don't just sit still and say "cheese"?"


I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!!!

Its exactly true... I don't want to photograph kids sitting still, uncomfortable, bored and unhappy... yet being forced to smile...  I want to photograph them jumping around... having fun... acting their age... capturing this exact moment in their life!!

So, yippee... I love that a little girl gets this!!

.. so just to get into the spirit.. here are a few pics of fun kids... I just LOVE these two!!

I am back on the island after the most amazing trip back home to Santa Barbara.  It was probably the most relaxing, fun week I'd had in almost a year... thanks to all my friends for making my visit home so awesome!!

Now that I'm back to Home  #2 .. .I thought it would be fun to start doing more island portraits AND vacation shoots... last year I had a blast photographing my brother and his family at the beach and it gave me the idea.. how cool would it be to have your family vacation documented every year... have a book made.. .and then over the years you begin to see how your family has grown up and multiplied all while on vacation... laughing, smiling, doing things you don't necessarily get to do everyday!! 

Another thought I had was this...  just think it's November... all of a sudden the year has gotten away from you and you think.. "OH SHOOT... holiday cards... darn it and we don't have an updated family picture"... well, again ... why not do it while on vacation...

so if you are headed to the island at all this summer and are interested in having some pics taken look me up!