Wedding photography for this traditional Jewish wedding at Tam-o-Shanter Country Club was provided by Kellie Saunders and Aaron Fortin, one of the best wedding photography teams in Michigan. It's no secret that I love a good Jewish wedding. I am half Jewish after all, but I was raised primarily in a Christian home. My grandparents did not observe any jewish traditions at all, so other than the occasional funeral and family gathering, I wasn't afforded the opportunity to learn about my heritage. I wasn't given the choice to either follow what I was born into or another path. Most of my Jewish aunts, uncles and cousins who observe traditions have moved far away. That's where my business comes in. Not that I'm going to make this post all about me, my point is that I have learned so much about my people and my heritage because I started a wedding photography business. It's a blessing to me to be able to share in these traditions with my couples and I always learn a little bit about myself in the process. So, to all of my Jewish clients - I want to give a big heartfelt thank you! You teach me about myself. I am a firm believer in things happening for a reason. People don't just show up in your life unless they are meant to. I feel the same way about my clients. They are supposed to be my clients, and eventually and usually they become my friends. Natalie and Daniel were such fun to work with. I try to see beyond what people want me to see when working with them. I have to, because after all, I need to get to the heart of who they are. When I first met Natalie I said, "This girl is one tough cookie." But I also saw that she has many layers, much like myself. I really saw myself in her. When I saw the way Daniel could bring out her sensitive side with just the touch of his hand, I immediately felt that this couple was meant to be. It truly was beshert! Their wedding, their friend and family - everyone couldn't have been nicer to work with and be around. One of my favorite moments was when they signed the ketubah - I could feel the energy suddenly change in the room and when I looked almost everyone was in tears. What a lovely, lovely moment for them. I snapped a photo of them under their chuppah that has become one of my all time favorites. The moon was rising, the sky was still blue and everything was still and quiet. Congratulations to Natalie and Daniel! I wish you all the best and a lifetime of happiness, love and laughter! Mazel Tov!

Detroit Michigan wedding photography at a private mansion in Historic Indian Village was provided by Kellie Saunders and her team of top wedding photographers. Part 1 in a 3 part series. Stacy and Mikey. Wow! When I first talked to Stacy on the phone she told me she wanted to get married in a somewhat traditional wedding gown at the Michigan Science Center planetarium and have a masquerade ball reception a couple of weeks later at the Crofoot Ballroom. I think I screamed on the phone. I really, really did. I then told her to hold on a minute so I could jump up and down and do a couple of cartwheels. Okay so that part is not true. I didn't do one single cartwheel. For what it's worth, if I wasn't over 40 and there was no chance of breaking a limb, I probably would have. I was so excited at the chance to photograph a couple getting married under the planetarium stars that it almost didn't occur to me that I actually needed to meet Stacy and Mikey. I was ready to sign the contract from the first intial phone call. Thankfully, Stacy, working in the mental health field, probably realized I had lost my marbles over the chance to shoot such a unique event and set up an in person meeting with me. When they walked through my studio doors I KNEW I was meant to photograph their wedding. They told me how they met, how Mikey asked Stacy to marry him and what they wanted in a wedding photographer. We talked about the planetarium wedding and how it would be difficult to photograph and about their reception and the specific challenges that the Crofoot Ballroom creates. I told them that even if it wasn't me, they needed to make sure they hire the right photographer. A photographer who is good in low light and could work fast in the dark. Both these venues are not for the standard run of the mill photographer. If they hired someone, they needed someone who understood artificial light and how to create it and control it. They told me on the spot it was me they wanted and I immediately did that cartwheel. Okay, okay... I really didn't do the cartwheel. Stacy and Mikey would have two outfit changes. One being their more traditional wedding attire for the actual ceremony and the other being the mascarade wear for the reception ball. I wanted to make sure we could document this event properly. I always try to go above and beyond for my clients, but this wedding was going to require a little more TLC. Stacy and Mikey agreed that we could do this in three segments. We would do a private first look and portrait session at their friends historic mansion in Detroit's Indian Village. Stacy would be able to do her trial run with hair/makeup (btw - Katie did a fantastic job!!!), and I would be able to get some stylized photos and we wouldn't have to rush on their wedding day. Take a look at their first look! I absolutely LOVED this idea. I LOVED these images and I LOVE this couple. Stacy and Mikey's wedding was publishing in OffBeat Bride. You can view it here: OffBeat Bride Article

Michigan wedding photography at the gorgeous Village Club of Bloomfield Hills provided by Kellie Saunders and her team of the top Bloomfield Hills wedding photographers. Rachel and Kurt were a lovely couple. Like many couples I met them for the first time in person on their wedding day. I couldn't have been more pleased by their welcoming demeanor and fun and friendly attitudes. Rachel did all of her wedding day prep at the Village Club of Bloomfield Hills, which provided a beautiful background for creative imagery. They have a nice window that I used for Rachel's bridal photos after she got ready. Love that place! One of my favorite photos of all time was when I watched them secretly through the door as Rachel's dad held her dress while looking at his watch telling the girls to hurry up. It's just such a great moment. Once we arrived to the church I was overcome by emotion when Rachel's grandma showed up. She was just the sweetest little lady, rolled into the room by wheelchair. Her eyes glassed over when she saw Rachel and I couldn't help but think of my own grandma, and how I missed her. My grandma wasn't alive when I was married, but I thought of how wonderful it is to be able to take these photos so that Rachel and her family have them to show her own children one day. I am so happy with what we captured from that little bridal room in the church. Rachel and Kurt were wed and we all headed back to the Village Club for their wedding day portraits and reception fun! Kurt opened up a bottle of champaign to celebrate and while I was almost hit in the face with it - what a fun photo to capture! You can see that below. This wedding was full of smiles, laughter, fun and love! I hope to work with more couples just like Rachel and Kurt! I wish them all the best that life has to offer. Join me in wishing them health, love and happiness for years to come!

Metro Detroit Michigan wedding photography at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial provided by Kellie Saunders and her team of the best Michigan wedding photographers. When two people are meant to be - it's inevitable. The stars, the universe, god - whatever you may believe in - it brings them together. When I first met Lauren and Emanuel I knew they were brought together by a higher power. Lauren beamed when Emanuel spoke, and when he reached for her hand she blushed. Let's hear what Emanuel has to say about Lauren in his own words. "When I first set eyes on her, I was blown away by her beauty. As we enjoyed each others company on our first date, I realized how big of a heart and caring she has. I felt so comfortable around her and felt she was easy to talk to. I was so eager to spend more time with Lauren, from that day on we have never stopped talking. Lauren is the woman that I've dreamed about for so long. When I returned from being away for a month on military duty and we were very excited and anxious to see each other after spending only a few hours together, you have to get the sense of "this will be just fine." That is the exact feeling I felt with Lauren. The moment I could tell her about everything in my life, my childhood, my pain, my troubles, my sadness, my happiness, my concerns and her response is "what can I do to help" that's how I knew Lauren is the one for me. You only find someone once in your lifetime that makes you smile. Someone who checks up on often to see if you are okay, who watches out for you and wants the very best for you, you don't let them go. Keep them close and don't take them for granted. A person like that is hard to find. You are my rock, my soul, my everything in between. You are a blessing and I am blessed that we are in each other's lives." And what Lauren feels about Emanuel, "What can I say about my Emanuel. My Emanuel makes my world. I prayed for this man before I even knew him. He restored my faith that there is a man out there who could give me everything I needed in a person and wanted. He came into my world in an instant and never left. From the day we met in person we never went one day without communicating and only spend time a part when its for work. Just when I least expected it he showed up. When God makes someone specifically for you, everyone else and you can feel and see it. God made him specifically for me. I feel it, I see it and I know it." As they said their vows there weren't many dry eyes in the room. Their hearts were full and so was mine. I was so happy to witness these two combine their families and start their lives together. They danced the night away at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial with friends and family. Join me in congratulating them and take a look at some of my favorite photos from their big day!

Metro Detroit Michigan wedding photography at the Bloomfield Hills Country Club provided by Kellie Saunders and her team of the best Michigan wedding photographers. Maggie and Mark!!! Oh my goodness - what a fantastic couple and such lovely fun families! I was leaving for Ireland the day after their wedding, and ironically enough they had family from Ireland attending their wedding. If you have ever been to Ireland that you will understand that Irish people know how to throw a party! They know how to dance. Know how to love. Know how to eat good food and celebrate with their friends and family. I couldn't have picked a better wedding to work the day before my own big trip. When I arrived at the Bloomfield Hills Country Club to photograph Maggie and Mark getting ready for their nuptials, Maggie pulled me aside and said, "We are a close family. My mom may cry. Actually, I might cry. My sister, well she might cry too." My eyes lit up. Every good photographer loves tears. I said, "That's okay, don't worry about a thing." Maggie was right. There wasn't a dry eye in the room as she stepped into her gown. Her sister gave her a few loving words of encouragement as her mom looked on, gently holding back her own tears. Soon we whisked Maggie outside for her first look with Mark. We turned Mark around so he couldn't see her approach. Mark was excited as he heard Maggie coming towards him. When he turned around and looked at Maggie, his eyes watered a bit. He held her hands in his own and told her how beautiful she was, and he was right. Maggie was stunning! Simply stunning! Soon the two were exchanging vows at St. Hugo (which is one of my favorite churches). After family photographs we all headed back to the Bloomfield Hills Country Club for the evenings reception. Join me in wishing Mark and Maggie the most happiness ever! They deserve it!