It was a beautiful weekend in Santa Barbara...  one couldn't ask for a better day to do a sunset engagement shoot... and I think Emily & Chris especially enjoyed it since they were coming all the way from the frigid windy city of Chicago.

In order to get as  much out of the California beach and background as we could I met them at one of my favorite portrait places, Miramar Beach in Montecito,CA.  The beach is right there, as well as railroad tracks, palm trees, bougainvillea lined path, great stairs, rocks, gates...  basically anything one could want.

It was so much fun to meet Emily & Chris...  they found me through their gorgeous venue the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, they grew up in Michigan, live in Chicago, and just happen to be in Santa Barbara.  How great is that!!!  After spending a few hours with them taking pics, answering questions, and getting excited about their wedding (yes, me too!), I feel like I completely understand their vision, ideas, and what they want their wedding to be like ... and it is going to be awesome!!

Plus... come on... do you see how gorgeous this couple is... its a photographers dream.. and their super cool!!  Anyone who's willing to get in the water gains bonus points with me!!




Emily & Chris, It was so much fun playing with you guys on the beach. I can't wait for your wedding. Just from the look of your save-the-date I just know it is going to be a blast!


Love,
A

Here I am at 12:40 a.m.  on the 26th of December...  finally blogging a little Christmas spirit... I've just been too busy having fun on the winter wonderland that is Mackinac... and playing with the family in Cleveland... which included me kicking some "Michael Jackson Experience" butt on the wii...  finally a game I can play... dancing... music... and great 80's/90's music... perfect!!

So here are a few pics from the island last week.. and a couple from my crazy awesome family Christmas...

What happens when you put 40 Slovenian and Polish peeps in a room  ...

lots of klebasa and kielbasa (yes there is a difference.. .Slovenian Klebasa. is WAY better)
lots of laughter...
and the best part... a cut throat secret Santa gift exchange...  this year was especially  controversial...  who would have thought a Blender could cause such  a stir... hahaha .. get my pun...







I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season.. no matter what it is you celebrate... may it be full of love, joy, laughter...  and a little bit of mischief too!

Love
A

I've been a bit MIA lately...  because I am back on the island for a wedding... surprise surprise.. BUT this time I am a guest!!  For the first time in 5 years I am a guest at a wedding... sooo  this time there won't be pics.  I will be dancing, and eating... and probably crying a little as I do.

Congrats Coley & Andrew... I can't wait till tomorrow!


Here are a couple pics from my hometown...  my drive north ... and the island...  even though its cold... its beautiful!!

I wasn't planning on blogging today... but I couldn't help it.  I was just working on an album for Laura & Dale (a Mackinac couple of mine from 2009 that I got to know quite well ...  I visited their home in Cincinnati... ate Skyline Chili ... and chatted camera stuff with them).  Well,  with all of their traveling (Africa, Asia, I think even Europe had to be in their somewhere too) we are just now getting to their album.

I tend to pick what photos I think are my favorites... play with them a bit... then make a
SLIDE SHOW(take a look)

So, its been awhile since I've sat  and looked at their pics... well, I just came across this photo while putting together their album... and I just love it! It made me miss them and remember how tender Dale was with Laura.  They had such a romantic love about them.  This photograph was taken when Dale saw Laura for the first time alone in the grotto.

In October ... 10-10-10 to be exact... the weather was insanely warm for northern Michigan... (I was even in a tank top)...  the sun was shining... and it was the perfect way end my season on the island.  Two special weddings...

First ... Lisa & Sam... I have been friends with these two for years.  When they asked me to photograph their wedding I was incredibly honored.  I knew it would be a beautiful affair. Lisa has an amazing eye for design and Sam has a liking towards photography.  I had so much fun with them...  they are so laid back... anything goes... and the ceremony reflected this (and their sense of humor).  I also can't write about their wedding and not mention their little one... Clooney... the most well behaved trained dog I've ever dealt with...  I think Clooney liked to be photographed more than Lisa and Sam...