So for some reason in the heart of this wedding season I decided it would be fun to start offering some island portrait specials.  The coolest thing is that out of the woodwork I was getting calls from all sorts of cool people,

First Stacy and her adorable family that were on vacation here on Mackinac.  Her two boys were so much fun... they were just running circles around me!  I loved it. Its amazing what you can capture in a quick 20 minutes on the island coast.

So While I was in Cali back in July Lily was holding down the fort on Mackinac. She had two awesome weddings all over the island.

So.. instead of me posting pics and writing about weddings I wasn't there for... I thought I would hand over the blog reigns to Lily...

World... meet  Lily!!  ....


Hi there... I am so excited to be writing my first blog.. and for it to be about these two couples. 

It was an absolute thrill to shoot Rosana & Mike's wedding!  I am so lucky that my first couple to do on my own was so warm, fun, and beautiful (which made it easy on me!).  Rosana and Mike's wedding was specifically unique in that Rosana is from Brazil and Mike: from the States. Their wedding was incredibly touching... seeing two families come together, despite language barriers and the way little Yusof was included was very moving.

It was a gorgeous Mackinac summer day at Ste. Anne's and then the Island House.  It was my first time shooting at both places... and I can't wait to shoot there more!

Rosana & Mike,  I was truly honored to be a part of your big day, and inspired by the love I saw between the two of you! May your life together be filled with happiness and joy! Thank you so much!



Then a quick week later.. I was back behind the camera...  on my own as Andrejka was off in California ...  shooting weddings I suppose... but who knows (I bet she was at the beach)!.. just kidding, A...

I had the pleasure of shooting Kristen and Tim at Mission Point Resort.  The weather may have been a bit unsure of itself outside, but the love between these two was definite.

What an incredible couple! Kristen was practically fresh off the plan from Iraq, where she was most recently working as a diplomat, and Tim is an accountant for many foreign countries.  From the amazing things their family and friends shared about them, and their obviously generous and kind demeanors, I saw that these two are truly helping the world become a better place everyday.

May you both receive all the love you which hand out daily in your jobs and amongst your families! You deserve it! Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your beautiful day, I wish you the best!

My first Stonecliffe wedding of the year... and it was beautiful as always.  Carole Erbel (of For the Love of Mackinac) did an awesome job coordinating this wedding... she constantly amazes me.. .she even have beer that is only made out of state... hand delivered by a friend do the "guys" could have it before the wedding... wow, what a woman!!

Angelina and Jerry have been chatting with me for quite a while... so when we finally met it was like we'd known each other for years.  These two made me laugh so hard... so, every wedding I take gander at the group, the environment, etc.. and try to guess if they are going to be dancers going crazy, or chatters ... I don't think ANYONE could have guessed what dancing maniacs the entire party was... I LOVED it... then again, I probably should have been able to guess this by the gusto in which they sand Clemson songs... over and over... these two love birds met their first day on campus at Clemson... and they incorporated their alma mater everyway possible... from the colors, to the chants, to the tiger tail on Angelina's dress!!  Needless to say I have a whole new appreciation for Clemson, fencing... and tiger tails.

Angelina & Jerry... it was so much fun to be a part of your party... you all cracked me up had me in stitches.  I know this is only a hint into what your lives together will be like. May the future find you smiling and laughing everyday!!

Love
A

I was so excited that Lauren and Jeff found me on the island...  I had a BLAST showing them all around the island... shooting pics and documenting their excitement over what had just happened.

Jeff had JUST proposed to Lauren on their trip to Pictured Rocks the day before... and then they were off to the island for a night.  When they arrived they thought... geez... we should get some pics taken.  It was pouring rain... and the hotel where they were staying (Harborview Inn) called me to see if I were available last minute... so we met up and crossed our fingers for a beautiful day the next afternoon.  Well it was...  we were having so much fun going to all sorts of island locations.  (from the Grand Hotel to the Pink Pony, Anne's Tablet, the park and the harbor). What started as a 1 hour photo shoot ended up being a 2.5 hour island adventure... that ended with an island specialty...  Rum Runners at Mary's Bistro... where Matt (the incredible bartender) shared is fancy bar tricks with Jeff. 

Lauren and Jeff. .. I cannot tell you how excited i am for the two of you... remember what I had mentioned... you two are such a TEAM... I loved getting to know you and showing you my magical island. Come back and visit!!! 

I just had write this quick little story...

My long lost high school friend sent me an email the other day asking if I would be available for a portrait shoot on the island next week.  OF COURSE... so  this is what she wrote me next...

"Your photo shoots look so fun! I told the kids that a friend of Mommy's might take pictures of them having fun in MI. My daughter asked, "so we don't just sit still and say "cheese"?"


I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!!!

Its exactly true... I don't want to photograph kids sitting still, uncomfortable, bored and unhappy... yet being forced to smile...  I want to photograph them jumping around... having fun... acting their age... capturing this exact moment in their life!!

So, yippee... I love that a little girl gets this!!

.. so just to get into the spirit.. here are a few pics of fun kids... I just LOVE these two!!