Angela and Michael arrived on the island just in time for the first real snow...  Michael had a little surprise waiting for Angela.  Even though they have been engaged now for a bit, Angela didn't have a ring... in fact she wondered if she was really going to get a ring... well  it was time. And I was privy enough to be witness to it!!  She was so surprised.  I could tell these two are going to be a couple of "clowns" and they liked snowball fights ... just check out the pics!!  We laughed and laughed and laughed (I laughed when Angela got nailed with a snowball... and she laughed at my "graceful" fall)... So looking forward to the wedding...



then...  a week later... the snow was melting... holidays were over, ...  and Kate and David decided to travel all the way from Brussels to experience the island, see what its like and have an engagement shoot...  how awesome...  we may have been stomping around in slush by the time we were finished but it was well worth it... David got to do his "robot", Kate got to attempt to bike in the snow (and survived) and I got to hang out and laugh with two super cool people...  Kate & David I will remember to bring the Genever to the wedding :-)



What a great way to kick off 2012...  with 2 awesome couples, 2 unique photo shoots, and a chance to do something new!!

May this new year bring you all much joy, love, and happiness!

Love
A

For more pictures of Machel & Maxime.. check out their slideshow  HERE

Fallen was such a ham for the camera ...  so fun!  I loved that JoBeth (her mom... and friend of mine for years) contacted me a couple weeks ago to do a quick photo shoot for their holiday card.  I loved watching Fallen make up games with the bricks of the Mission.  The Santa Barbara Mission is such an incredible place to do a photo shoot, especially if you are looking for a classic old-world style Santa Barbara look.



This is one Aubrei and her lovely husband and her 3 amazing girls!  Aubrei is one of my closest friends. It has been amazing to watch as her family has grown.  I love how each girl has a such a unique personality. We met up in Ventura one beautiful evening ran around a park and found that the light was just incredible... this was followed by an awesome Thai dinner!!



Oh Diana...  finally this was my turn to tell you what to do :-)  So, Diana is my trainer. She is the one who kicks my butt in the winter. I was thrilled when finally the tables were turned and it was my turn to tell her to sit, stand, smile... (granted she is usually telling me to lunge, squat, and push-up)... but still close enough.  Seriously, it was so great to see Diana out of her workout wear and hanging with the family on the beach and what a beautiful and fun family!! (Eric, Diana's husband turned the camera on us and got a pic of Diana and I too)

Here we go. .. a few of my portraits.. I really do think portraits are fun.. its like capturing a moment in time when you and your family are at an era... whether its babies, toddlers, or teenagers...  all so special.

May you all honor the moment and place you are in life  right now!

Love
A

Paige and Travis... what can I say. This was one of those incredibly special weddings where I felt so lucky to be the photographer and to witness these two together when no one else did.  Paige and Travis have lived on Mackinac for years... winters even..  but watching them take their carriage ride through town was like watching them see Santa for the first time.  It was as if they had never been through town before and were seeing and feeling the excitement of a brand new place.   I always love photographing my friends weddings... I always learn something new about them and get to witness moments that otherwise I wouldn't.  Especially because often times I've seen and watched their relationship bloom... and then here I am capturing a moment they will remember forever!!  Thank you so much Paige and Travis, for not only letting me be a part of your day ... but letting me ride along on the carriage (man if not you would have kicked my butt biking up to Fort Holmes).. hahahah  love you both sooo much and I'll see you soon!




Kandyce and Garrett were married on Oct 1st ... now this is one of those days that can be snowing or sunshine... well  we had sunshine... which is perfect since Sunshine is exactly how I would describe Kandyce. I had the great pleasure of meeting Kandyce and Garrett almost a year before the wedding when they visited the island.  These two are the epitome of sweet love.  Kandyce and Garrett may the sun continue to shine even on the rainy days!   Sending you a bug hug!  May our paths cross again!!



Now Hayley and Michael.. may have had a super windy and rainy day but it didn't stop either of them from enjoying the day if anything we had more fun...  a bright red umbrella...  laughing on the boat as the wind knocked us down...  and even playing in the rain a bit.  This was a perfect day for them.  Hayley and Michael are used to unusual weather as they live, met, and fell in love in Alaska. So Mackinac is October was nothing to them!!   It was such a special and unique wedding. We started at a little church located in St. Ignace (Hayley's home town) next  we went by her childhood home to take pictures on the shores of Lake Michigan .. and then the adventure began...  a wild ferry ride with attempts at standing to a carriage ride in the rain.. finally we reached the Woods Restaurant (a Grand Hotel restaurant)  for a lovely dinner and dancing.  Hayley and Michael,  your wedding was incredible and your spirit never wavered.  It was a testament to your adventurous spirit and love for the moment.  Next time maybe we can meet up in Alaska!! 

Here are my shout outs for these amazing weddings...

To Marty Haines... for once again as always.. rockin it as the wedding coordinator at the GRAND HOTEL  (until next year my friend... may we have even more fun and laughs then this year... if that's even possible)...

To my awesome asst's Rob Kalmbach and Danielle Eibler  .. you guys make my job even more fun then it already is...


Funny as I write this blog I'm actually getting ready to buy my plane ticket for my first winter visit to the island... time to go photograph some bikes for my next article for TRAVERSE magazine...


May you all enjoy whatever weather is around you... if its hot and sunny hit the beach and sit outside... if its cold and snowy.. go enjoy a cup of hot coco and sit by the fire!!

Love
A

Have fun!

Love
A

Laura and James...  elegant and sophisticated with a twist of spunk!!   That would be the best way to describe these two.  Laura and James had such a grace about them one minute... and then the next they were making goofy faces at each other!   These two created a perfect balance.  I love it when I can see this in a couple!!!  Laura & James... you were a couple that reminded me of balance in life... (and I'm a Libra (the scales)... I love that)  Thank you!!

Now with this wedding I brought in a last minute assistant/friend who ended up ROCKING it!  Danielle, your my girl you got some of my favorite shots ...  I am so stoked to work with you more next year...  it was so much fun!!

(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)



Now... Molly and Bill are a wonderful example of why I absolutely LOVE photographing weddings on Mackinac...  there are no rules!!  We can do whatever we want...  whether it's getting married, going for a bike ride.. or stripping down and jumping in the water (well.. I didn't do that.. I had the camera!!).   Thanks to the amazing Carole Erbel ( For the Love of Mackinac event planning)  I was able to not only photograph Molly and Bill's elopement to Mackinac but I got to be a WITNESS...  it is always such an honor to do this, it doesn't happen often, but when it does I hold it close to my heart (you'll even see the pic here of Carole and I signing).  After the intimate ceremony by Rev Marx Molly, Bill and I went for a carriage ride around the island that ended at the incredible Iroquois Hotel .  Now where the rule breaking comes in .. the next day I met back up with the newlyweds and we went for a bike ride and a stroll around the island that ended with Bill deciding it was time to jump in!!  SOOO fun.  This is what I love, creating any type of wedding package... you got an idea.. I'm in (as long as it doesn't put my camera in danger... hahaha).  Molly and Bill... your exuberance for life is intoxicating!!  I will always remember how much fun we had and how touched I was to not only be a aprt of your weekend but forever a witness to your love.  Next time...  I'll put the camera down and jump in the lake too!!

(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)




And I'm back home in my lovely Santa Barbara....  

Stevi and Bryant... where to start... I feel like I have been friends with these two for years... well, actually... I guess I have been.  We met almost 2 years ago at an expo... then we met again over albums ... then we did an engagement shoot.. then we met again (this time over pineapple/jalapeno cocktails...   yummy!)...  then Stevi and I did a surprise Boudoir shoot for Bryant... (Ladies... its a great grooms gift... just ask Bryant)...  then finally the wedding. I think by the time the wedding came along Stevi AND Bryant (who originally was pretty afraid of my camera) were super stars in front of the camera!!  I'll admit when  the wedding ... I was a little sad... thinking... this is it...  now what.. what will we do next...  Stevi & Bryant...  I guess we'll just have to go have another pineapple smash!!  

So, I am always stoked when I have the honor of having Jim (aka "The Average Jim")  of Bella Luce Imagery shoot with me... I can't really call him my assistant as all I ever tell him is... go for it!!  I know whatever he gets is going to be great!

(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)



Lily and Mark...  you two are a testament of strength, love and joy...  no matter what life throws your way... you two stand strong, tender, and full of gratitude.  Your wedding day was a day of miracles.  To watch how the rain clouds cleared at the perfect time (TWICE) ...  it was truly something higher.  I know all of us involved with your beautiful day were touched on so many levels and reminded of what is important in life.  Marty (from the Grand Hotel) as well as Kelly and Terry (from Mackinac Video) all spoke of how amazing your day was.  May the two of you continue to dance your way through life... 

(to see more of this wedding you can check out the SLIDESHOW HERE)

Well, I've now spent the last few hours re-living part of my summer... conclusion.. man am I lucky...  I love what I do... I love my couples... I work with great people... and I shoot in some darn beautiful places. 

You know, often times people ask me... does it get old... do all the weddings seem to blend together... my answer:: a big NO!  ...  and tonight just reminded me of that. When I sat down to start this blog...  (3 hours ago).. I thought ...shoot.. what am I going to say... well...  it came pretty easily the minute I started looking back at the pics!! 

The minute it starts getting old is the minute I'll change professions... life is too short to have anything feel old, tired, and like work... 

On a day when I have been reminded how short life can be...  I say   ... May you live it to the fullest, do what you love, take risks, aim high (someone will catch you if you fall) .. and appreciate the people in your life!!

Love,
A

I have to give a shout out to my awesome assistant for the day Kim Buchanan... a very dear friend who has her own photography business in Texas...

Also... I have to pay huge props out to Kate Levy for assisting me on this wedding.. her reception shots were amazing!!  Check out her work on her website.