As I sit here with my family, belly full, watching a Charlie Brown thanksgiving special, I am reflective of all I am truly thankful for. I am thankful I am a child of God. That He has blessed me so much. I am thankful for a loving family. For friends that lift my spirits.  That I have more blessings that I can count and are often times unaware of.

My mom and I recently went for a walk on their property, enjoying some late fall sunshine.  The sun was about to set, setting a golden glow over everything. I love these walks, these times spent together.

What are you thankful for?

Shooting in the cold and windy late fall weather is not new for this family.  Last year for their family pictures….cold and windy.  When they were married three years ago (nearly to the day of when this session was taken)…cold and windy.  Four years ago for their engagement session…well you get the idea ;).  But despite the frigid temps, these three rocked it out as they always do. Karissa (who’s birthday is TODAY! Happy Birthday little one!) is now two and walking and talking and full of her signature squinchy-eyed smile.  She is a beautiful and bright little girl, outfitted head to toe in trendy Matilda Jane.

These two definitely needed to show off how hot married looks.  Happy 3rd Anniversary guys!

Karissa started feeling sad that Lamby wasn’t included in the session.  So Lambie makes a cameo.

While Karissa was warming up between takes I thought Amanda deserved her own sassy mini-sesh.

^^ Hottie ^^

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Oh Leigh and Tony…you two have the biggest hearts!

Leigh and Tony planned a glam wedding in downtown Detroit last weekend.  I don’t know how they managed it, but the November weather they had…upper 50’s and sunny blue skies…was totally perfect. Upon arriving, Leigh was all smiles and a total knockout. Tony was excitedly counting down until they had their first look.  They were married at Old St. Mary’s Church (such amazing architecture!) in downtown Detroit with a reception followed at The Colony Club (one of my personal favorite Detroit venues).  Alison of Viva La Diva was there to run the day and make sure it was absolute perfection.  Detroit brides…Alison is beyond sweet and amazing. Hire her immediately.

Jamie and Ian of Shutter Speed Productions, a team I adore working with (our bonding solidified a few years ago riding tandom bikes while photographing/videoing on Mackinac Island) were there as well as Jon with Priss Makeup.  The amazing flowers provided by Irish Rose and Shutterbooth was there to provide those must-have pictures during the reception.  One of my favorite elements at a reception is the music and it was rocking with the band Higher Ground.  All in all…a perfectly wonderful and amazing day!  Congratulations again lovely couple ;)!!

Seriously, these cupcakes done by Just Baked were beyond amazing. They are filled with deliciousness and have names like ‘Fat Elvis’. Yum.

Planning an engagement session in November can be tricky…especially here in unpredictable Michigan.  But it can also be perfectly magical…especially when a mid-session blizzard (and the first snow of the season!) crashes the party.

Katie+Todd are getting married in the spring. These two (I know I say this a lot but I really have the sweetest, in-love couples!) are honestly just perfect together.  Katie has an infectious laugh and bubbly personality. Todd has a sense of humor that I find hilarious and I know Katie does too!  It was a fun session, dodging the snowflakes and reveling in our first snow fall.

And because I always think these ’sneak peaks’ are a little present to my sweet couples (who likes to wait?!), it means even more today because it happens to be Katie’s birthday!! Happy Birthday to you, lovely!

I am kind of in love with Katie’s dress. I told her so and Todd casually mentioned he picked it out! Todd…you have great taste in more ways than one!

These best friends were married yesterday in a warm sunny November afternoon.  Love was everywhere.  A lovely preview coming soon!