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Hello world!
Don’t forget to check out my official website at: www.firstcomeslovephoto.com. Holly & Clark – a Michigan winter weddingMarch 26th, 2013Holly & Clark’s April wedding was moved up to the end of February so her plan for spring flowers was replaced by a blanket of snow. Not that it made a difference for this beautiful, intimate wedding – the quiet and closeness of the small group of friends and family that gathered to celebrate the day was tangible, as was Holly & Clark’s delight in each other. It was my first time shooting at both the Grosse Pointe Academy and the Detroit Yacht Club – absolutely stunning venues, with heavy, grounded architecture and romantic light. And, as you can see in the photos, I absolutely loved photographing Holly & Clark! Vendors: Cake and French Macaroons: Sweet Heather Anne Dress & veil: Essense of Australia Shoes: Something Bleu Florist: Dale Morgan of Blossoms Birmingham Catering: Detroit Yacht Club Invitations & Save The Dates: Kristy Rice of Momental Designs Hair & Makeup: Johnny and Leslie of Maalouf, Birmingham. (They opened the salon just for Holly on a Sunday!)
Posted in Church wedding, destination wedding, Detroit wedding, Detroit Yacht Club wedding, First Comes Love Photo, Grosse Pointe Wedding, Indoor wedding, Michigan, Michigan Wedding, snowy shoot, vintage wedding, whimsical wedding, winter, winter wedding |
4 Comments » | Link to this post| Email a friend  Megan & Mike – A winter engagement shoot {Michigan wedding photography}January 15th, 2013Well. I don’t even know where to start. It’s been well over a year since I’ve posted anything new here! In that time, my life has changed most dramatically. As if having a most beautiful and delightful new presence in my life, my daughter Dahlia, wasn’t enough, I also moved to Michigan and my husband started medical school. Talk about having your entire life, grounding and identity tossed in the air, only to float aimlessly in pieces to the ground, waiting to be gathered up and put back together in a new configuration. It’s been quite the ride, to say the least. I had lunch recently with a new friend, the lovely Melanie Reyes, who told me that she used to follow my blog before I moved here. What?! I was, to say the least, completely shocked and flattered that I had A FAN! So often I would blog my work and wasn’t sure if I was reaching anyone. So when she told me this, I was inspired to get back to it. Thanks, Melanie! To my surprise, business is looking pretty decent here in Michigan…much better than I had anticipated after basically starting over in a new city, state and market. I haven’t yet met my 2013 goal for booked weddings but I’m not far off and that makes me proud and excited and…nervous. Shooting here is quite different than in California. While my style won’t change, I’m finding I need to dig into my years-old toolbelt, to not only get me through my first season of mostly indoor shooting, but to help me to thrive in the challenge of it. To be honest, I’m a little scared, but I’m also excited to learn what’s been growing just under the surface all these years. I shot this engagement shoot a few weeks ago with the lovely Megan & Mike. They came in from Chicago to shoot their engagement session on the grounds of the Henry Ford Estate and at the country club where they’ll be married in September. It was my first winter shoot – woohoo! I crazy-loved shooting in the snow – I was inspired to no end. Unfortunately, it was hella cold that day (and we were on the lake, to boot) so we had to cut the outdoor time a bit short. My dear clients braved the blowing winds and biting temperatures and it doesn’t even look like they were freezing their butts off! If you’re reading this, please leave a comment and let me know you’re there. It’ll inspire me to reach back and blog some of my favorite, amazing weddings of the past year…or two. Cecelia & Brett – married at Douglas Ranch in Carmel Valley, CANovember 19th, 2011I think I might have gone a bit overboard on the post, but really, can you blame me?
Décor: Classic Party Rentals, Ceremony Gown: WTOO by Watters, Ceremony Gown Cover Up: BHLDN, Reception Gown: Rachel Gilbert, Headpiece: Preston and Olivia, Ceremony Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden, Reception Shoes: Geren Ford, Jewelry: Vintage, Flowers: Bryan Butler, Catering: Nicole ‘s Catering (Nicole Esteybar), Band: Hot Club Pacific, DJ: Dillon Donovan, Wedding Planning and Coordinating: Pamela Donnellan, Venue: Douglas Ranch, Carmel Valley, CA, Bride’s Rings: Antique www.langantiques.com , Groom’s Ring: Custom by Lulu and Shay, Invitations & Save the Date: Designed by Groom printed by Mercurio Brothers, Hair and Makeup: Kristy White of Festoon Salon , Groomsmen Attire: Zara suits, Brooks Brothers shirts, Bloomingdales ties and Allen Edmonds shoes, Groom’s Suit: Paul Smith, Bridesmaid Dresses: Each picked their own. (BCBG, ASOS, Maggie London, Calvin Klein, Melissa Sweet), Videography: Sunset Productions Chrissy & James – a Mendocino elopementOctober 5th, 2011Well. This post is long overdue. James and Chrissy eloped in March (eek) but between shooting 18 weddings this year and being pregnant, I’m just a tad behind. The Elopement. It was just James & Chrissy. And me. (Okay, and the officiant for 10 minutes.) They are just lovely and it was awesome to be able to photograph their love without the hullabaloo of a normal wedding. I’m so grateful that they were super excited about the photography and willing to withstand my ideas (let’s go here! and there!) for hours. What an honor it was to be chosen to be a part of their intimate day! We had a blast, starting at The Stanford Inn by the Sea and ending at the beautiful California coastline.
Shelly & Aaron – Engagement shoot at Manka’s Lodge, InvernessApril 7th, 2011Shelly and Aaron and so very sweet. Our paths have almost crossed several times now and they finally did when she called me up to do her wedding photography on recommendation of one of my last year’s brides for whom Shelly did her hair. (I love how connections are made in this work…) (Oh and Shelly is a bomb hair stylist.) Anyhoo, we met at Manka’s Lodge in Inverness which, by the way, is such a romantic and gorgeous town off of Tomales Bay. I could get lost in the leaves up there forever. I was immediately smitten by Mankas – small and quaint, hidden and very very quiet. Shelly and Aaron got engaged there and it was just so right – the setting matched their vibe and, obviously, was very inspiring. I could spend weeks photographing up there… I’m in love with their engagement photos…and I can’t wait for their wedding in September.
Family photos with the Vander PluymsMarch 17th, 2011Who says family photos need to be traditional? When you have a retired professional sand sculptor, an artist, a crunchy Berkeley teacher and writer (her words, not mine) and a LA stuntwoman, traditional just doesn’t enter the picture.No pun intended. Excerpts from my day with a fabulous family:
Shooting film. For myself.March 3rd, 2011It’s been a long long time since I did 2 things that used to bring me much happiness: 1) shoot film 2) for myself When you make photographs for a living, it can be really hard to keep finding the passion and inspiration that got you going in the first place. So I decided in January to shoot a roll of film a month, with no expectations, no thoughts of “how can I sell this shot,” just … shoot. And shoot I did. In fact, I shot 4 rolls instead of the requisite 1. It was so refreshing to not be led by thoughts of marketing and advertising and websites and blogs-to not think about how these photos could help pay my bills, but just to be led by my eyes and my intuition. I’m pleased with the results. So pleased that I’m looking for a used Contax 645 (let me know if you have any leads!) and thinking about transitioning back to film in some way. It makes me feel SO GOOD when I click the shutter and just know that I did (or didn’t) get the shot, instead of looking on the back to find out and do it again if necessary. I’m thinking it’s time to trade this current life in front of a computer in for a life behind the camera! I’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment!
Nicole & Rory – wedding in TulumFebruary 1st, 2011Front page feature on Style Me Pretty!January 8th, 2011The folks over at Style Me Pretty gave Meredith & Cameron’s wedding a front page feature. I’m pretty darn excited and proud! A full write up of Meredith & Cameron’s sweetness coming soon…
Usama & Melissa-swanky wedding in MontclairDecember 7th, 2010Usama & Melissa. What can I say about these two lovely people? When I first met them, I was super excited. 1. Because they are super cool (positive, enthusiastic, a great team, artsy and kind.)2. Because they’re both designers (click on their names above), so I knew their wedding would be a little different. They got married at the Montclair Women’s Arts and Cultural Club, which is gorgeous and quirky place I would love to shoot at again. The giraffe statues? They rock. The catering: Fork & Spoon who, besides having a clever name, makes delicious food. More details coming soon! It was definitely refreshing to shooting a wedding a bit more modern than the rustic, vintage, farmy weddings that dominate my calendar. Don’t get me wrong-I love it all. But it’s a quality challenge to be given straight lines when you’re used to shooting soft circles. Things I loved about this wedding: the moody light, the baby with the chubby thighs, mustaches, the bride & groom, the sundial, the cosmic carpet in the ladies’ lounge, Usama’s father, the ceremony, Melissa’s purse, the beautiful straight lines, the photobooth, the characters that loved the photobooth, the table settings, the music, Usama & Melissa’s first dance. Check out the result. I went a little overboard on the photos I posted because I love love love this wedding and this couple. That and I’m a terrible editor.
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Wedding Photography With Sweetness, Style & Fun
