Latest & Greatest
Blog Posts
When we are taking pictures, especially on a wedding day, we shoot for the albums that your family will look through in 50 years. We believe that context is beautiful. Of course we craft images that stand strong on their own, but there is something special about seeing them as part of a complete story. These blog posts are highlights chosen from full galleries.
Categories:
Front Porch Chicago Elopement
FRONT PORCH CHICAGO ELOPEMENT
This wedding went from a long weekend on Lake Michigan with Dan and Tina’s closest friends and family to a Chicago elopement on their front steps with an audience of their neighbors and a live stream. And you know what? I think the backup plan was just as beautiful and even more personal.
When I arrived at Dan and Tina’s Logan Square two flat, I realized that this would be the most intimate wedding I’ve ever photographed. This is their HOME. A place full of memories and love notes and things that were so clearly hand-picked not just for aesthetic value, but the meaning behind them.
Normally, when I arrive on a wedding day, even if it’s a small elopement, I photograph the day’s details and all of the personal items of significance. This time, everything felt important.
This wedding went from a long weekend on Lake Michigan with Dan and Tina’s closest friends and family to a Chicago elopement on their front steps with an audience of their neighbors and a live stream. And you know what? I think the backup plan was just as beautiful and even more personal.
When I arrived at Dan and Tina’s Logan Square two flat, I realized that this would be the most intimate wedding I’ve ever photographed. This is their HOME. A place full of memories and love notes and things that were so clearly hand-picked not just for aesthetic value, but the meaning behind them.
Normally, when I arrive on a wedding day, even if it’s a small elopement, I photograph the day’s details and all of the personal items of significance. This time, everything felt important.
Dan got ready in their guest room and enjoyed a glass of Scotch in honor of his best man who couldn’t make it while Tina had hair and makeup finished. When it was time for their first look, they decided to see each other for the first time in the backyard.
As guests began to fill the street, I had Dan and Tina snuggle by the window and take a peek outside. They are so loved.
Who would have thought that eloping on a front porch would be so perfect?
When the ceremony was over, they showed me their favorite spots in Logan Square, Chicago and Humboldt Park. It was cold and windy, and there were a ton of people around, but we had a blast.
My favorite part of the day was when Dan and Tina brought me to their neighbor’s urban garden filled with his art installations. Their neighbor assured me that I was welcome back any time and that there are dance parties every Friday.
And that, my friends, was one of the coolest weddings I’ve ever photographed.
Vendor Love:
Florals: Youth and Yarrow
Dress Designer: Lela Rose
Michigan Dunes Elopement
Christina and Victor exchanged their vows with only their parents as witnesses on top of the Lake Michigan dunes. It was simple. It was stunning, and by the end, the sky sang for them.
Traverse City Wedding
Traverse City Wedding
Jessica & Enrique
It’s always a great day when we get to photograph a wedding at the Grand Traverse Resort. The 55th hole is the perfect ceremony location, and the food at Aerie is ✨chefs kiss. ✨Jess and Enrique had a relaxing and intimate wedding celebration full of laughter and family. I have a million favorite things about the day, but I’d like to specifically highlight the stunning ceremony arch crafted by Feild of Flowers North that featured birds of paradise in honor of a passed family member. It was truly stunning. Congratulations Jess and Enrique! Your family near and far loves you soooo much.
VENDOR LOVE:
Dress: The Wedding Shoppe in Berkley, MI
Hair: Mary Zukowski
Makeup: Ria Redwood
Venue: Grand Traverse Resort
Floral Designer: Field of Flowers North
Hocking Hills Elopement
Hocking Hills Elopement
Sara + Nathan
This was my second time at the Glenlaurel Inn photographing a Hocking Hills elopement (see my first here). The private on-site gorge trail lends itself to an intimate wedding ceremony that is simply not possible at the Hocking Hills State Parks. I am forever grateful to have discovered this treasure of a location for my couples who want an intimate wedding surrounded by nature.
Sara and Nathan decided that while they had to postpone their large wedding celebration until next year, they were done waiting to be married. Since I’m legally ordained in Ohio as well as Michigan, we started thinking about a place that could double as a wedding venue as well as a sort of mini-honeymoon. Hocking Hills was perfect.
I arrived just after sunrise at the couple’s cabin and photographed them as they helped each other get ready. Nathan had to put Sara’s hiking boots on and it was so freaking adorable. Then, we hiked through slippery muddy trails to the perfect little oasis in the middle of the forested gorge. The fact that Sara didn’t get her dress dirty on the way down was a gift from the universe.
After reading letters from their parents, and reflecting on the events that led them to their wedding day, Sara and Nathan exchanged personalized vows. Sealed with rings and a kiss, they began their marriage with a first dance to Bridge Over Troubled Water.
WEDDING VENDOR LOVE
Dress: Spring Sweet
Flowers: Stems Market
Venue: Glenlaurel Inn
