Todd & Lisha :: Wedding

Can beautiful be a theme to a wedding? I'm not sure, but if there was a "beautiful theme" Todd & Lisha's would be just that!

Todd & Lisha were married on the most beautiful day of February at the Historic Trinity Church in Downtown Detroit. Let me just say, this church is amazing both inside and out. Each and every detail of that place was SO incredible! You don't see churches like that anymore... such unique architecture. Loved it!

After the ceremony, since the weather was AWWWWWESOME, we headed over to Belle Isle for some even more amazing photos. What a great spot to get Detroit in the background and some other really cool spots for some sweet photos. I loved this spot because the sun was shining and Todd & Lisha kept saying how happy they were because of the sun, since we were suppose to get a huge snow storm. Good thing that held off for a few days so they could enjoy their day with the sun, not the snow! Ha!

We then headed over to the reception at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. What a beautiful way to end the day! The view of Lake Huron was beautiful even if it was somewhat frozen and cold. The day was incredible and both Todd & Lisha were the best part of it. They were so happy, in love, high spirited, just a joy to be around!

Congratulations... we wish you the best and hope Aruba is awesome! You guys left on the most perfect week since we've gotten soooo much snow this week! I'm sooo jealous!

Check out some of my favorites and a slide show from their day...

Hair: 6 Salon
Dress: Konja's Bridal
Flowers: Blossoms
Video: Two Penny Productions
DJ: Mark Evans DJ Entertainment

Todd was so calm and collected...



His guys were all so fun and extremely nice!!!



Oh wow... Lisha was amazingly stunning...



Looove this!!!



Her girls were awesome... so sweet and sooooo beautiful!



I LOVE this church...





The view was perfect... especially the couple in it! ;)



Love this one...



Ha...



Something about this photo makes me drawn to it... I think it's the whole tenderness and the fact that you can't see either of their faces makes me think that it's such a private moment for just them, which on your wedding day is hard to come by since you're the center of attention...



I love cake cutting... it's so fun to watch (take photos of- ha!)...



Check out more from their day...

I'm Such a Dork!!!

I admit it...

I can be quite the goof and really silly at times... well a lot of times! Even when I probably shouldn't be. But who's watching, right? Well, let's hope no one caught me doing this... (see photo) at the wedding we were photographing over the weekend. I was editing today and came across this photo, which totally caught me off guard because I had no record of Todd taking this, but it made me laugh so hard. I can't believe I do things like this... especially in front of people! I'm pretty sure I was doing the robot, or my version of the robot. Oh wow...

Let's hope Todd was the only one watching!



Happy Tuesday!

Expect the Unexpected!

43 degrees & SUNNY... in FEBRUARY?

I couldn't believe my eyes and either could the lovely couple who's wedding we photographed yesterday. They were so happy and with such high spirits and who could blame them... their wedding day was BEAUTIFUL!

What a breath of fresh air it was, and it made me so excited for spring to get here! I know, I know, we still have a few more weeks until that actually happens... but what a tease Mother Nature sure did give us yesterday. Love her for that! But can't she do that more often? I guess it's back to reality when I hear of a snow storm headed our way! Well... so long spring, we will see you again in a couple weeks!

I love 'unexpected' days to really brighten your mood, preparing you for what's to come. Hopefully, this photo will do the same...

TOP 5!!! Woot, woot!!!

Haha... I can't believe I actually typed out "Woot, Woot!" and left it! Is that even a word? I'm really not sure, it just kind of came out of my brain and onto to the keyboard, so in my dictionary... it is!

(That's me for ya!)

But I have a lot to be "woot, wooing" about and you will too. As I was re-living last year, I was thinking to myself how great it was and how blessed I am to be able to share my love and passion with all of you. I also thought how fun it would be to pick my top 5 favorite photos from kids & weddings of 2009 and lay it all out for you to pick your favorite photo as well. Yes, you guys can all vote for your favorite little sweet, innocent, cuddle ball and help them win! What do they win? A big hug & a kiss? Ha... I'm sure my dog would like that, but in this day in age with all the H1N1 scares, I think a 6 x 6 gallery wrapped canvas and the FRONT spot to the kids section of our website would be a better prize. Now can everyone say "WOOT, WOOT!" with me. Told you you would be doing it too! Haha!

Pick your favorite photo, but please vote once per day, I'm going by the honor system here so if you feel the need to vote over and over again for the same photo all in one day, I hope you feel REALLY REALLY REALLY guilty about it! Haha!

I'm so excited! Let the voting begin... but make sure to read the details below...

Photo 1 :: Avery



Photo 2 :: Jack



Photo 3 :: Stella



Photo 4 :: Mya



Photo 5 :: Lily

***Voting will end Sunday March 7th at 9pm. Please vote only one person/per day, but feel free to send this on to your friends & family and encourage them to vote for their favorite as well!

***I will put an abbreviated voting box at the top of the page to simplify voting, so you don't have to scroll to find the voting box, but will continue posting the fun stuff going on so make sure to keep coming back and checking out new posts.

***Top 5 Wedding Photos of 2009 will be after Kids voting is completely over.

So True, So True...

Do you ever hear or even read something in which you think, "That is so True! Why didn't I think of that sooner, I should have totally written a book about that?"

Ok, maybe not the second part of that statement. But lately, I find myself hearing something being said in which I am agreeing with like '100%, without a doubt, no question, cross my mama's heart' to be true. I sometimes think I'm becoming more like the famous John Locke, no not the character on LOST (although I think I'm even more lost than that show right now, anyone else?), but the famous philosopher with all of his deep thinking and witty knowledge. I'm not one to be a huge deep thinker, so this is quite the change for me.

But I met up with a girlfriend today to go to Lululemon. (For those of you who have never been there, I TOTALLY recommend this place for workout apparel, SO GREAT!) As we were chatting with another one of our friends who works there, I realized in my John Locke moment, that friends are so great to have, especially this time of year when it's cold and yucky out, not a lot to do outside, you're getting cabin fever from having to be inside, you can't bare to be indoors another moment... thank goodness for places like the mall or lululemon to go to be a sane person instead of depressed and insane all the time because you are not getting any sun or vitamin D outside. But as I was checking out, I noticed to confirm my revelation even more that on my bag the quote, "Friends are more Important than Money" was written and I thought to myself, "That is so true, so true..." What a great day to remember that and how great it is to have the privilege and opportunity to have friends to share crummy days like today with!



Happy Wednesday!

Indiana Bound

Where in the world have you been?

I know that's what you are thinking right now. It's been quite a few days since you heard from me, and there is very good reason.

I always love to go visit my family in Indiana right around my sister's birthday, and since I hadn't been down since before Thanksgiving, I thought it was time to get my butt down there. Poor Todd had to stay and work, plus he had to go take the pups to the adoption event. Both of them were adopted, and it was so sad when I came back to only one dog! I grew so attached to them, especially Storm... she's was the feisty one. I loved her!!! But they both will be loved in their new "forever" homes. What an experience it was and I would LOVE to do it again... it was so rewarding! But hard to say goodbye to them!

But back to the trip, it was such a busy time with family & friends, BUT it was such a fun time. We went from one thing to the next, which was unusual being there since when we usually go down there there isn't a lot going on. But it was super fun and I'm so glad that I was able to do so much... what a great time! I tried to take pictures of everything we did, but I forgot my camera a few times... if anyone knows me at all, you know that you're probably not surprised huh? I always forget my point & shoot camera when I really need it! Haha!

I did get to met up with some really special, long time friends, which was really odd we all were in town at the SAME time! That's unheard of... considering we are from all over from Seattle to Detroit to Indianapolis... it was some good times though!



My sister and I spent a whole day baking cakes for a baby shower she was throwing that weekend and also her birthday cake for her party... they were like gourmet cakes too... filling & fondant, extreme cake making!



I was able to see my bestest and her growing baby boy... always a great time!



Plus my sister's party was a HUGE hit... and she was so surprised at her gift, as we all pitched in to get her a Wii! Loved it!!!



Then I got to come home to my husband and celebrate Valentine's Day! I was SOOOO exhausted, so our Valentine's consisted of an early dinner and sleep! Haha! Classic!

Happy Monday!

Re-Living 2009

2009 was awesome... I feel like we had an amazing year!

What a great feeling it is to relive it and a year that should be shared with everyone else, considering you all were our inspiration and support through it all. 2009 was an extremely busy year, but one that I would NOT trade for anything with lots going on and times where I thought I would go blind in one eye from squinting behind my camera so long. I LOVED it, and I say bring on 2010... but first to remind you of all of the great happenings of 2009.

So the journey began just 13 months ago in...

JANUARY

What a cold snowy month! (Yuk!) We spent the month recovering from the holidays and starting to enjoying the new year while also counting down the days until the snow melted and the sun provided us with warm, brown skin.

We started the year off with Christiana and her new to the world love...




FEBRUARY

Todd & I spent the month finishing up with Maddox's dog training classes. I'm not sure exactly what he learned from it, other than to sit and lie down. (Ha!) He still barks at random things and is scared of almost everything. But we also had a couple great sessions this month.

One being Jason & Sarah who were engaged and I absolutely loved this couple... so sweet and fun, plus such brave souls considering how cold it was outside...



And John & Caitlin who were married on what such a beautiful February day, despite the cold it was a perfect day and their wedding was so beautiful... plus they weren't bad looking themselves... gorgeous couple!




MARCH

What a fun & busy month, but not all for photography stuff! I became a track coach for the first time and what an experience it was! I met some great kids and had some great laughs, but also realized how grateful I was to have played soccer and not stuck with cross country. Sore shins, hips, feet, knees... you get my drift. But it really was a great time! Then, part of my family came to visit, which is always a great time and also I threw a baby shower for my best friend down in Indiana... that was a lot of work, especially planning 5 hours away!

Little Miss Izzy B turned 8 months. She was becoming quite the character...



Paul & Sabrina were married in a small intimate ceremony downtown, and what a great couple... so nice and so perfect for each other...



Then down in Indy, I got to take some prego photos of my bestest, Stephanie. She is glowing and so stunning when she's pregnant!



And Caleb was born the month with red hair & blue eyes... just adorable!




APRIL

I always love this month as it is starting to become spring and feel like spring, plus it's Todd's birthday month, which is always a fun time!

Aiden also turned a year old and what an adorable little guy he is...



Kate was born into an awesome family... she is going to be a extremely gorgeous woman one day... look at that hair!



We got a new website... HOLLER!



Chris & Lindsey came all the way from South Carolina to get their engagement photos... such a great couple, and their wedding was just a few short months away.




MAY

We usually have lots of weddings this month, but for some reason kids were more popular this past year, so I spent a lot of time goo'ing and gaa'ing instead of telling a couple to 'kiss, kiss'... ha!

Little Eli turned a year old... we love Eli and his family!!!



Max also turned a year old... AGGGHHH... he's so cute and so sweet... and such a blessing to his family!



Shayden turned 6 months and boy was he so smiley!



Claire turned 6 weeks old, she came a little early than expected, but beautiful as ever...



Sara, Kate, & Courtney all celebrated their 5 year anniversaries by getting some stunning shots for thier husbands... what an awesome idea!







My best friend, Stephanie, had her baby boy Landon... and what a special baby he is, allergic to just about everything out there... ha!!!



and Little Miss Avery turned 4 weeks old and what a good baby she was... plus such a beauty, just like her mama!




JUNE

June was full of the unexpected, with myself getting really sick for the first time in two years to starting my yoga practice... but also a few great sessions this month.

Abbey graduated high school... love her name! ha!



Justin & Lindsey were engaged... what a great chemistry they have together!



Jenn graced her beauty in front of the camera... I just LLLLOOOVEEE HER... so fun to hang out with!



and Chris & Lindsey tied the knot...




JULY

What a month... July was the calm before the storm for us...

with Chris & Mia being engaged... what a sweet and adorable together...



Izzy B turning a year old... where does the time go?



Maddox also turned a year old... not sure where the time went here either!



and Todd & I traveled up north for some vacationing... we had some great times there! But what a week to go being as it had record cold temps... figures huh?



then we ended the month with Omar & Sharla's wedding... I love them! So positive and loving... esp considering it almost rained on their outdoor wedding! Phewww... luckily it passed them!





AUGUST

The storm began... we were REALLY busy the next couple months, or I should say the rest of the year! We had quite a few weddings back to back to back, but they were all extremely fun and so worth all the long hours spent to perfect and make them flow so well... August was one of my favorite months!

We started off with a suuuuupppperrrr sweet couple, Joe & Megan...



then traveled over to Muskegon to Jason & Sarah's wedding... what a great trip for us and a great time with them... so much fun!



Joe & Niki's wedding and what a beautiful couple both inside and out they are... I wish they lived in Michigan, I would totally hang out with both of them...



and John & Brigette were engaged... I love that they were so real and open in front of the camera...super fun and playful couple!





SEPTEMBER

The busy life continued, but one of my favorite months to shoot weddings. I love September weather!!!! Makes me wish all weddings were this month...

Chris & Mia started the month off in all it's glory... they were so relaxed, it was awesome!



Cody & Taylor were then married in a location that was so beautiful... what an awesome wedding with such a perfect couple!



I saw one of my favorite photographers speak... what an inspiration...



Jonathan & Jenn were engaged... it was about time, right Jenn? Ha! But they were awesome and let everything out for some great shots!



Simone & Jessica were also engaged... probably one of the most adorable couples on the planet! They are so complimentary of each other! So sweet!



we hung out with Scott & Tami at their wedding, and I say "hung out" because we seriously "hung out" there. It was as if we weren't there working, but more as joining in on the fun with them. I got some great shots at this one, and some that I consider all time favorites... what a AWESOME couple they were... LOVE YOU GUYS!!!



and we finished the month with Justin & Lindsey wedding... what a fun time that was, bag pipes and all...




OCTOBER

Another one of my favorite months, especially with the trees changing colors, cooler temperatures, pumpkin patches, and the cider mill smell.

We traveled over to the west side of the state for some hang out time and a brief wedding break and got some shots of Miss Taylor who turned 6 months... and we being over there on the west coast we took full of advantage of the beach being there... awesome!



then Lily turned 4 months... she has such a great story, one that her parents are so thankful for and what a joy she is and is bringing to them all...



Jack also turned 4 months... he was quite the natural in front of the camera...



Emma was born the previous month but we planned our session later, and what a cutie pie she was...



David & Kelly were married this month, but if felt like it was December. The weather totally threw us all for a loop, and it really messed my back up that day. I'm still haunted by pain in my lower back from my muscles all tightening and sore, but this couple was TOTALLY worth it! They were awesome!



The weather warmed a bit for Garry & Jen's engagements... what a gorgeous and sweet couple... I am really looking forward to their wedding later this year as we had such a fun session!



Jason & Julie were also blessed with warm weather for their engagements and the colors of fall were in full beauty. Did I mention how great they were... so beautiful and so sweet!




NOVEMBER

We started to prepare for the holidays this month, but not slowing down much at all.

Sarah celebrated being a senior and what a beauty she is...



Ryan & Alexa were married in Italy, but came back to Ryan's home to celebrate the special occasion... they were sooo sweet!



Baby Jack was born and what a tiny baby he was... Aaaaa-DORABLE!!!



I headed over to Chicago for Steve & Katie's engagement session... one of the last good fall days it was, and we had a great time traveling over the city for some fun locations.



While there I snuck in a little session with Mya who turned 6 months... she was a gorgeous little girl and I love her name!



Little Miss Izzy B turned 16 months... wow... she's such a big girl now with LOTS of personality!


Then Todd & I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary, what a special day that always is!



And on the same weekend Todd & I were married, Jonathan & Jenn were married as well... I love this couple!!!




DECEMBER

An awesome month, from celebrating another birthday to getting voted one of the top photographers in the area to enjoying another holiday season... this month was a great one to end the year with.

With Reese turning 5 years old with lots of charm and sass!



Cole turning 4 years old such a cute little guy he was!



and Brinn was born o-so-tiny and sweet!



Stella also turned 8 months, so sweet and with those gorgeous blue eyes she stole my heart...



then John & Brigette were married on a beautiful December day with Christmas in sight... what a great day it was and both were so excited!



and Neil & Jennifer were in from California for their engagement session... sooo sweet and so much fun!!! I'm so looking forward to their wedding in a few months.



Then we ended the year with a great holiday season and are so thankful for what 2009 brought us!



That was long, but extremely good memories to share with you all! We are so thankful that even in my moments as of lately where I am really LAME and unmotivated you keep coming back to our blog checking in on what we are up to, and not only that, but telling your friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, hair stylists, dog sitters, whoever about us. We cannot express just how much that truly means to us more than giving you a HUGE THANK YOU and a BIG OL'ONLINE HUG. (Is that possible? Sure! Consider yourself hugged by me!)

It truly means the world to me and thanks again for alllllll the loving support!

I am looking forward to another successful year!

Best to you all!