Last Saturday I photographed the happiest couple...  Missy's smile was absolutely contagious.    This beautiful couple lives in San Francisco (my favorite city)... love Mackinac Island (my happy place)... and smiles like crazy... how could I not want to be their new best friends!!

It was such a beautiful affair...  with tons of laughter, a few tears (okay more than a few tears), and lots of love.  You could see the love between Missy & Christian...  their friends... and their parents.  They had a dance where both sets of parents took the floor... it was so touching you could see where Missy & Christian get their idea of love!

I was also blessed to have Mary Jane (my dear dear talented friend) second shoot with me... she flew all the way from SB just to help me out... and see for herself the crazy life of a Mackinac Island Photographer!!  (Just wait a few pics of us will be posted soon).

The Grand (and Marty) did an amazing job once again... and Kim from Bella e Dolce as always created a shockingly gorgeous wedding cake.

Missy & Christian.. I'm not joking... I really do want to be your new BFF's.  I had such a wonderful time photographing your wedding.  I can't wait to hear all about your time in Italia.  I have no doubt that your lives together will be filled with such smiles and laughter that joy will surround you always!!  Can't wait to catch up once we're both back in Cali!!

Love,
A

This weekend I convinced my dear and extremely talented friend Janey (as in Mary Jane Photography) to fly all the way to Mackinac in order to help me shoot Melissa & Christian's wedding at the Grand (pics to come shortly)...

It was soooo much fun to introduce my SB photo friend to my world here on the island...  bikes and all.

Here's a pic of us from last night...  a bit tired and slap happy... but having fun none the less!!

For the past week, after leaving the island on Sunday, I've been hopping between Long Island and NYC...  all I have to say is man I love the bagels here.. only in New York... okay I have a little more to say too.

The coolest thing, that I'm quite excited about, is that I met up with a few of the editors from Bridal Guide a couple times...  they were SOOO incredibly nice. I really can't express how wonderful they were.  AND.. they are going to be publishing me in not ONE... but TWO of their next issues.  A few of my Mackinac images are going to be in the destination wedding guide out next week... and then one of my favorite weddings is going to be the featured wedding in their issue that comes out in November..

Along with my visit to the magaizine... I was also able to catch up with friends I hadn't seen in YEARS...  who can beat a gorgeous sunny day, old friends, new friends, and a little photography along the way (and I really do mean a little... I was so busy chatting I didn't have time to shoot much... but here are a few!

Today is my last day in NY... off to the beach with the fam...  pictures for sure will be taken of my adorable neice and nephew!

Have a beautiful Thursday!

Love,
A

Okay... so they've been engaged for a while now.. BUT... last week I finally got a chance to meet them and do an AWESOMELY fun engagement shoot around the island...  we met at the coffee shop... I handed them my tandem bike ... and away we went..

It seriously may have been the most fun I have ever had with an engagement shoot.  We biked up around Mission Point (where their wedding will be in August), up the East Bluff, around the fort, on the dock...  soooo much fun.  A tour of the island on the back of a tandem... I had such a blast (I think they did too)... excpet of course when we decided to bike up Mission hill... pheeewww... this girl needs to get her bike legs back.

I really hope to do a lot more engagement shoots on the island... it is such a great way to get compfortable with the camera, see the island from a different view, and get pics in a completely relaxed environment!! ... 

**In fact... I am going to offer $100 off any engagement (casual couples shoot if happens after the wedding), for any couple that already has a package with me.. just send me an email.**

Love,
A

My favorite professor in college gave me a mini assignment years and years ago.. he knew I was getting pretty serious about photography and came up to me one day after class.. .handed me a book and said... read chapter 11...  (and then said... "I'm serious... just that chapter... you can do it" ... he knew I was a slacker when it came to finishing reading assignments).  In this chapter a professional photographer was so excited to be on a rare whaling expedition, they'd spent hours on the water, waiting to just catch one glance of this rare and beautiful sight... well, just as the whale was starting to appear this photographer went for his camera... messed with his settings, got everything perfect... and had MISSED THE MOMENT... not only as an image but in his life.  This story has stuck with me ...as a photographer I  find myself sometimes missing moments in life while they are happening because I am trying to "capture" it... its a lesson I think all photogs should take to heart...  what's more important shooting the moment.. or living the moment.. its up to each of us to make a conscious decision...

I tell you this little story because last night... the 4th of July, I'm on an amazing boat (the Mackinac Breeze) in the straights of Mackinac.. just yards away from the fireworks... a most surreal and beautiful moment.. I, then of course... naturally went to grab my camera... but I stopped.. and decided NO this is a moment I want to remember in my mind and completely enjoy it... and I must say it was THE MOST amazing and beautiful display of fireworks I have ever seen!!  All of my senses were engulfed by the awe of what was taking place around me...

Below is a quote I wear on a beautiful bracelet (thanks Kuz :)  every time I shoot a wedding...  may you all take this to heart and live every moment fully!!

"Teach us...that we may feel the importance of every day and every hour as it passes" (Jane Austen)...

BUT.. I won't leave you hangin'... I did shoot off a few pics before the show began...

 So...  there are a few pics..  this is "Duck, quack quack" ... heir to the Chief of Mackinac who was just inducted into the Smithsonian for his Native American walking sticks (He is definitely an Islander through and through).  He kicked off the fireworks from the back of the firetruck (a sight not seen too often on the island with no cars)...  again.. no fireworks... maybe next year!

Happy Holiday!
Love,
A