Lauren and Brian not only jumped into marriage.. but THEN jumped into the lake!!

Over 4th of July weekend I had another AMAZING friend associate shoot here on the island.  Cherry Thomas.. a dear and amazing photographer has made a pact with herself that she will come photograph on the island once a year... I of course love this because it means I get to utilize her great skill and get to visit! 

When I first spoke to Lauren on the phone we hit it off wonderfully... I had to be a part of her wedding somehow... but I was already off island for Erich's wedding (see below)... but it actually worked out perfectly that Cherry was able to fly out from California and photograph Lauren and Brian.  I actually ended up with the best part of the shoot... the trash the dress!!!  First thing Monday morning I left Ohio to get to the Mighty Mac in time to photograph them jumping in the water... funny thing is I left Ohio that morning... and Lauren and Brian were driving back to Ohio that night.  So we met in Mac City... and went to the bridge.

It was SOOO much fun!!

Lauren and Brian, I may not have been able to be at your wedding but the trash the dress was amazing!!  I had so much fun getting to know you two even better. You two are so fun and adventurous... i just know your lives will be the same way!!  (btw Cherry said it was such a blast... the pics show it too).. my mom loved the pics too and said hello :-)

Love,
A

Disclaimer:  I've realized something...  I've re-written this blog 5 times...  I have the hardest time writing about friends.. maybe because I'm attached and have seen them grow and in just a couple sentences I'm to express what I've seen over years ...  its just too hard... words can never express the emotion, joy, happiness, excitement, that I re-live as I go through these images... so I'm going to just stick to the story and hope that it comes through...

Okay... where to begin...  first off... last night I was supposed to be having dinner with these two before heading up to SB... but as I land at LAX  I get an interesting text from Erich with a lovely (but truly unnecessary picture of Rosalie's stitched up finger)... needless to say due to an unforeseen run in with a blender... dinner was to be rescheduled... soooo instead of dinner  I sat and worked on their photos in the Delta lounge ... I figured it was the least I could do to help Rosalie feel better...

To begin...  there's always something incredibly special (and stressful... self-inflicted) about photographing a friend's wedding!!! ... when the groom is your friend (almost like a brother) ... who also knows photography (and watched my business from day 1)...  and also has  4 other wedding guests playing with awesome cameras (check out the old school pic) ... and there also happens to be several groomsmen who remember you as a 17 year old freshmen wandering lost on campus...  its not surprising that wrangling this group caused me to lose my voice, have a couple sleepless nights, cry like a baby, and laugh like a hyena...   all in all the reason why I also LOVE photographing friends' weddings...

Rosalie and Erich's wedding was by far unlike any other wedding I have ever photographed or attended.  For being a 200 person affair it was UNBELIEVABLY personal... from the guests heckling the groom from their seats... to the tears falling down Rosalie's cheek... to the laughter as they forgot their INCREDIBLE handwritten vows.. to their unique readings ... and that was just the ceremony... 

Even the usual strangers (aka: wedding vendors) were friends...  from the photographer (cough cough) to the caterer (check out Ashley showing off his pralines to the bridesmaids), to the location... home.  Everything about this day felt like a personalized, hand written invitation into Rosalie and Erich's matrimony. 

The more I photograph weddings ... the more I discover my favorite part of each couples' day.  I usually don't realize this moment till I go back and look at the photos again.  As I sat and went over all of the images from Rosalie and Erich's wedding I had a hard time narrowing it down... there were so many moments that touched my heart.. that showed their joy... that I just couldn't choose.  One minute there would be tears the next laughter...

Rosalie & Erich,  Words (although I sure did write a lot)... really can't express how honored and happy I was to be witness to your beautiful day!  You two are a couple of deep connection... it is clear that there is a love that is one minute full of laughter, joy and ridiculousness and the next a sense of depth and seriousness that only you two can truly understand.  May this balance of laughter and depth continue to grow every day!

Thank you again.

Love
A  (aka Audrey H)

These two absolutely lovely and fun people reminded me of one of  the things I love most about weddings on Mackinac...

I get to be (and encourage my couples to be)... completely unique and un-traditional... who says you have to take a carriage ride with just the two of you... who says you have to go to point A ... then point B ... because that's what everyone else does...  nope... I say... make your own path..

Who say's you have to do what "they" say... not on Mackinac... you are on an island that is pretty much run by horses... people they think it is run  by them ... but its not... this frees people to think outside the box.. relax, have fun, and just let go!!!

This is what Elizabeth and Scott did...  from the moment we met at my favorite little lunch place (Ice house)  which is off the beaten path...yet right on main street, we started talking about ways in which they could share the island with their guests and how to make it all work!!  So they decided to hop on a taxi with their wedding party and friends right after the ceremony and head to the water for a few photos ... then off to Goodfellows downtown for a little relaxing moment with close friends before the big party began.

Another thing Elizabeth & Scott did was see each other before the ceremony.  It is always such a moment of anticipation and excitement that only I get to witness... and capture... incredibly touching!!  This is becoming more and more common.  Honestly I think its something again... that is completely up to the couple... it works either way... what ever you want... what ever you would prefer... go for it... make it YOUR day!! 

Elizabeth & Scott,  Your wedding was so fun... I'm so glad I was able to be a part of it... and also to be able to introduce you two to pop rocks and wedding cakes!!!  I look forward to seeing you both again.. maybe for an anniversary trip!!

Love,
A

Another shout out to Jim Minics for assisting me on this wedding... I really put him to work on his "vacation" to Mackinac.. I owe you!  Your awesome and your photography always blows me away!!

You know how there are people who come into your life if only for a moment but you know they will have a profound impact... this is how I felt about Jenni the minute we first spoke.  She called me well over two years ago... ready book.  I will never forgot our first conversation... I had had my business for a few years at this point but was still at my day job (don't tell my boss)... I sat in the conference room... feet up on the table... and her and I just chatted and shared life stories for two hours...  so over the past two years Jenni and I have become friends... encouraging each other via emails, facebook, etc...  yet still never meeting face to face till the day before the wedding.  It felt like we had known each other for years... but then again I guess we had. 

When I finally got to meet Jenni and Joe together...  I saw love, humor, fun, romance, family, strength...  everything.  These two have been together for what seems like a lifetime already.  They've already faced a lifetime full of ups downs and all-arounds to make it through ... and it is so obvious to see that this just made their relationship stronger and stronger... and the best part... the sweetness is stronger then ever.  I have one little snip-it to share...  that they may not want to me to share... but too bad... its just too good to tell... every couple should remember this on their wedding.

I was shooting their rehearsal dinner...  kids running everywhere...  family and friends arriving...  plans for the next day being panned out... basically a tiny bit loud and chaotic... and then ... I look across the room and see... Joe grab Jenni tenderly... and take her into the quiet hallway ... for just a split second for a sweet kiss and moment of silence... THIS is what its all about.  Remember in the heart of everything... its about each other and nothing else matters.

Jenni & Joe... you two are clearly an inspiration to all those you come in contact with ... your zest for life, positive attitude and ability to lift the spirits around you is clear.  I feel lucky and blessed to have been a part of your lovely weekend.  May you and the whole Paradise crew continue to face each day with the same love, spontaneity, and joy that your wedding was all about.

Love,
A

Okay... my blogging marathon is almost done... I just had one last thing to add... that I am sooo excited about.



Last fall I was asked to step in and photograph a kayaking article for Traverse Magazine.  It was honestly one of the best days of shooting I've ever had... me in a kayak with crystal clear waters... gorgeous blue skies.. and my camera...  and even better Jeff (the editor and also writer) doing all the work from the back of the kayak!!!

Well...  I had totally forgot about the actual article as the day of shooting was just so much fun... I just got off the phone with them and it turns out it hit the stands in May ... AND I got the cover... how cool is that!!!

An awesome day.. an incredible article...  AND the cover...  can you tell I'm kind of excited.

On top of this, I just got off the phone with them and it looks like I'll be working with them again this summer... only this time I'll be shooting.. AND writing.  YEAH!!!!  I love it...  keep your eyes peeled.

Have a beautiful day ... full of surprises and joy!

Love
A