2013 was quite a different year for me, both personally and professionally. A good chunk of the year was determined by a sweet surprise (in as much of a surprise as a baby can be) named Aela Kate. I had three gracious couples who trusted me to photograph their big day with a plus 1 that may have been more of a hinderance than a help. I expected the worst photographing weddings while being so pregnant, thinking that many people would doubt my ability to function while being quite round. I was pleasantly surprised by how many people, brides and grooms and guests alike, treated me so kindly and thoughtfully all while allowing me to do my job. This was still a very abbreviated year for my business. 2012 saw me photographing 20 weddings by year’s end, while in 2013 I managed to squeak out 10 while having my third child smack dab in the middle of summer.
I’m so very thankful for an extra sweet face to kiss when I come home, but I can tell you I’m excited to face another year with more energy and with more time to create beautiful images. This year I decided to give up portraits and commercial work so that I can concentrate on what I love the most, weddings, and in turn allow me to balance my family and work time better. Blogging took a back seat, but I plan to bring it back full force and to start I’m recapping last year. Enjoy part one and come back to see part two.
Becky and David are the sweetest couple with such a quiet but strong adoration for each other. They were married April 13th at All Saints Catholic Church in Rossford, OH followed by a reception at the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg, OH. They braved cold weather that included rain and snow and whatever exists in-between to get some outdoor photos and did it all with smiles on their faces. We headed out again during the reception to get some photos under the lights in Levis Commons, just outside of the hotel, where they went on their first date.
Rhonda and Kirk were married May 11th at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palmyra, MI followed by a reception in Ida, MI. Rhonda attended a wedding I photographed in 2012 and I was so excited to be able to work with her and Kirk and their group of friends. They are great down-to-earth people who know how to have a good time. I do have to say that tears were not in shortage on their wedding day and that it was one of those weddings where you just know these two people were made for each other. I love it when all of the emotions of a wedding day are due to two people who have been waiting in such happy anticipation of this day since they met.
Amalia and Bobby were married on June 29th outside at the Ann Arbor City Club with a reception that followed inside. I didn’t actually get to meet Amalia or Bobby until less than a week before their wedding. They are both in graduate school in San Diego and Amalia’s mom Rossana did much of the planning for them back here in Michigan. I loved the sense of humor between these two! Bobby officially wins the award for the best vows ever and had every guest (and me) and his bride laughing out loud during the ceremony. Amalia studies marine biology and Bobby geology and the amount of scientific references that went into describing the love between these two in Bobby’s vows completely went over my head but had me giggling behind my camera all the same. I enjoyed being able to work with my sisters who took care of the hair and makeup for the bride, bridesmaids and mother of the bride and made the day easier for everyone who traveled to Ann Arbor for the wedding.
Michelle and Ben were married August 23rd at the Henry Ford Museum with a ceremony in the Anderson Theater and their reception in the Museum Plaza. This was a day to remember with this sweet family surrounded by their loving family and friends. The day started off with hair and makeup with Julie and Hannah of Imagine Three and followed with beautiful details that blew me away. When you entered the theater where Michelle and Ben got married, you were greater by the most amazing smell of flowers. Even though we had taken advantage of Greenfield Village earlier in the day to take some pictures together, Ben’s emotional face while watching his bride walk up the aisle to him was a moment to remember. This couple is surrounded by so many people that love and support them and this day was a total celebration just for them and their new life together. Guests were able to stroll through the museum while I hopped in a Model T with Michelle and Ben (and our driver) for some time to take some photos in the village after hours. The rest of the night was a fun celebration that ended a day to remember.
Come back in the next week for round 2 of weddings that I photographed in 2013 with many more beautiful shots to see!
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