Amy ~ Michael 8.15.09

2 weeks ago, I went out to Grand Haven to photograph Amy and Mike's engagement session. We had a really nice evening for a photo shoot, but didn't realize there was a wedding going on under the gazebo just before the beach! Right after our photo shoot, we had to walk past the wedding ceremony to get back to our vehicles! Woops! Fortunately we were able to "cut" into the woods so as to not upset the ceremony. The session went well anyway!!






Great beach grasses here, took full advantage of those...

















Looking forward to your wedding next summer, just about a year away!

Arch Rock ~ Mackinac Island

This is Arch Rock, whose image I forgot to include in the post below. We took our bikes about 2 miles out where the stair case is to climb it. The view was definitely worth the climb!!

Mackinac Island~Mini Vacation

Well, my husband Scott and I had such bad weather during our honeymoon back in October on Mackinac Island, that we decided to go there again over the 4th since I didn't have a wedding this weekend. The weather was fabulous and we had a great time, (fortunately since that was the only vacation I get this year!!) We decided to do the fireworks cruise, which I'm so glad now that we did, since I was able to get a great shot of the fireworks from our boat right off the island. The only problem was the boat get moving back and forth from the right to the left so everyone on both sides could get a good look, but then I had to keep running from side to side in order to fit in the scene in my camera! These few are some of my favorites. I don't usually have an opportunity to photograph fireworks every year, so I'm so glad I decided to bring my camera with me this time!! One of my favorite aspects of these photos, is the reflection on the water from the light.



This one was actually taken from atop Arch Rock about 2 miles down the beach from main street of the island. It was quite the climb to the top, and I wasn't sure if we were going to make it! I think I may be getting old...



This is probably my favorite firewords shot. I love how you can see the next one going up...



Another favorite, love the blue sky, although it barely allowed for enough light!









My kids were with their dad's family in Traverse City this holiday, and then on Saturday they drove up to Mackinac to meet with us. We had to pick them up in St. Ignace across the bridge at the Indian Village where they love to shop! That's my niece Mallory on the left, my son Jesse as the "Chief", my daughter Sydney, and my niece Alexis on the end. Cute.



While we were waiting for the fireworks to start, this barge passed us by, and apparently it is very much like the Edmund Fitzgerald, from what our captain was telling us.



I regrettingly did not bring my telephoto lens up north with me due to it's size and weight, so this is about as close as I could get of a shot of the bridge from where we were at. Very pretty against the sunset...



This is a silhouette of the lighthouse buoy against the setting sun...



This is a part of the Great Turtle herself silhouetted against the setting sun also, Mackinac was the name given to the island by the first natives, meaning "the great turtle".




Another shot from atop Arch Rock, you can almost see the curvature of the earth. I love the color of the water, it was so crystal clear.



All of the Julian grandkids here...Ryan, Jesse, Sydney, Mallory, and Alexis...sitting on someone's great turtle in their backyard... I'm sure they're used to people doing this (I hope)...



These two are mine! Jesse is almost 12, and Sydney just turned 15!



And with my husband Scott...



And I reluctantly had to pose for this one, as the kids made me... I never like being on this side of the camera!!

Amanda * John 6*28*08 Happily Ever After

Saturday the 28th Amanda and John got married at the gorgeous Frederick Meijer Gardens amidst the coming of the storm. We had a few tense moments of wondering whether or not to move the ceremony indoors or not, but in the end decided to move the ceremony up a few minutes instead, and fortunately it only rained for a few brief minutes. Enough to provide a rainbow on their perfect day! (Look below for the rainbow picture). We started out getting ready at the Country Inn and Suites on the Beltline, and ran into some celebrity as well. Rip Hamilton from the Detroit Pistons was there also getting ready for a wedding in which he was the best man! (My assistant got some pics but only on his cell phone). After that excitement, Amanda got her dress on, and the day went great from there, (other than my camera mishap!)

Amanda and John, hope you are having fun on your honeymoon, and here is your teaser gallery!!



I love hotel rooms for getting ready, they make for much better pictures than church nurseries!



This is John's reaction at seeing his bride for the first time that day all dressed up in her splendor!

And this is John in his own splendor...


The lovely bridge at Frederick Meijer in the "butterfly" room...

Love these columns at the Civic Auditorium, and surprisingly, this is the first time I have used them at a wedding! What was I thinking?



More fun shots at the Civic... Love the pink dresses...



This was Amanda's "Must Have" shot of the day! It took a minute to figure out where she should stand for the right angle, we finally got it...



Love it when everyone has sunglasses to wear...




Amanda has very blue eyes, I didn't even have to enhance these very much!






Classic blue bridge shot...







These bouquets were designed by Shelly Johnson, my favorite florist ever!!! Look her up at Shelly's Designs Florist, she always does a fabulous job, she did my flowers as well at my wedding, and her flowers last all day and night, I've never seen any wilting!!



I love John's face in this one, I kept telling him to hold the pose because I was trying to get my exposure right, and he had to hold this position for awhile, what a sport John!!



More of Shelly's awesome flowers...



Sand pouring is way fun...



Double click and check out the rainbow! It wasn't a full rainbow, but we could see the bottom curve of it, you may be able to see it better if you double click on the image... How lucky is that to get a rainbow on your wedding day??



Not every bride wants to lay down in their dress, so this was a treat for me!



This was right after the ceremony and right before the rain came in. I love a stormy sky...







I wish I had done this at my wedding, what a great idea...








Blue skies most of the day...










This time I had to lay down on the ground, help me up guys...




I love that in the background...



Amanda sees her groom for the first time, I'm so glad we did this outside, the front porch was perfect...



First hugs...



Wow, cute bags ladies...where's mine??



Congratulations I wish you many blessed years together!!