How I met Michelle

I met Michelle many years ago, when I was just starting my photography business. Through another photographer I had met, she introduced me to this Facebook group for Michigan photographers. I didn’t realize at the time, how big of a blessing this random group would become. I lurked for a bit, getting to know people’s online personas. It was created and run by Michelle, and her business partner Megan.

Let’s tell Michelle’s favorite story of how she met me. Seems like the perfect way to introduce our friendship.

Jump forward a bit from joining this Facebook group, in a thread about posing newborns, I decided to step way outside my comfort zone and offer to host a gathering so we could meet and talk in person, maybe watch some online videos. So a small gathering showed up at my house that night.

I had young kids, and we had a shoes rule in our house, they came off when you walked in. The look of horror on Michelle’s face. If she was writing this, she would tell you that she wanted to turn and walk out that minute, but her own anxiety wouldn’t let her lol. So off the shoes came, and we awkwardly sat in my family room that night. The other women that came, they all knew each other, and I felt like a total outsider. But something about them, was so easy and fun. I could see myself maybe possibly considering one day calling them friends.

It actually didn’t take that long, Michelle and I bonded pretty quick, our sarcastic selves finding a true friendship in each other. We barely knew each other but we spent hours sharing our lives over those next few months. We had way more in common than I had ever expected.

How Michelle met Jason

Now that you know how Michelle and I met, let’s talk about Michelle and Jason for a minute, I guess he deserves a mention here.

Michelle spent many years searching for a love that fit hers. She spent years pouring love into the world, making her friendships brighter and stronger. And one day, thanks to the internet, she came upon Jason. I remember that day so vividly. She sent me his photo, and a nervous text. They had spoken and she was so stunned at his kindness and personality. She said he was so nice, it couldn’t be true. She almost didn’t go out with him. I think all her friends rooted for her, pushing her forward, “just give him a chance” we told her. She couldn’t see how perfect this man was for her. I think it only took that one date. We knew she found the one that her heart needed.

Jason is truly a kind man. He is not only kind to her, but he’s kind to all of her friends. I get a random text message from him once in a while, just to check in, ask how life is going, how my kids are, or how a home project is going. It’s in his soul to be kind and thoughtful. And he showers Michelle with love and generosity every day. I hope she knows how much he treasures her. Because the rest of the world sees it.

Michelle and Jason, I hope you two never stopping loving, never stop sending your bright light out into the world. You have found the other half to your hearts in each other. The one your soul belongs with. I wish you both the best of everything, you have spent years putting the best out into the world, and now it’s our turn to pay you back.

Their Rochester Engagement Session

Michelle wanted a unique place that was special to Jason for their session. Being a photographer, she’s been to all the usual parks, and just wanted a little flair. So she called me one day and said “Hey, you want to go scout with me?” Of course, I said sure, because she wasn’t going to let me out of it, even if I didn’t want to. If you’ve ever been the passenger in Michelle’s car, you’d understand.

Jason works in the city of Rochester, and Michelle had driven by this spot many times. Of course it took some strong navigation skills to find it again, but we eventually did. We talked, we dreamed, we envisioned them standing there, with the sun shining down on them. It was truly perfect.

And the actual session was everything I know she hoped for. They radiated love, laughter poured out of them. They never took their eyes off each other.

She’s been waiting (im)patiently for these images. So, let’s not wait any longer. Enjoy your Rochester Engagement Session.

Now, hire me to photograph your wedding, would you?

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These two were just endlessly smiling. Their love just radiates out of them.

It was serendipitous timing. Trish is my studio partner, and many of you meet her at your newborn session. But she happened to be at the park for her own session that evening, and we bumped into each other at the tree spot. So it was great that Kristen and Michael got to meet her, since she will be shooting their wedding day with me as well.

We started off at the tree spot, and then dashed over to the nature center to hit a few favorite spots there as well. We played games, we walked, we snuggled. Well, I guess they snuggled, I didn’t get in on it lol. But it feels like I get to be part of something so magical when I capture images of people in love.

I usually can’t wait to get home and go through the photos again, it makes me smile to look over them again and again. I know they will love their images as well. And I hope they feel those happy memories of the giggles, and the snuggles when they look over them. That’s my main goal. To create an experience for you, so when you look back you can remember what got that natural smile, or what you whispered to each other before the kiss happened. I want to create a memorable time with you for you to look back on and enjoy remembering.

I can’t wait to photograph their wedding in just a few months time. Spending my day with them will be just as awesome as today was. Until that blog is written, enjoy their nature engagement session at Stoney Creek!

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The Plan

He did so much planning, for his proposal. I’m wildly impressed at how much detail went into this moment for his future bride. Jason knew he wanted to go somewhere unique, and the Dequindre cut fit the bill. He walked it, took photos, plotted on a map where they’d go. I got some of the most specific directions ever. It was amazing.

He was planning a lunch, then a nice walk, and wrapping up with meeting me for the big proposal. Well as you know, nothing ever goes to plan. But he pushed through and surprised Joan with a fun afternoon!

He texted me throughout the day. Keeping me up to date on where they were and how time was running for them. He sent me photos of their outfits so I would know who to look for.

I had to laugh as I tried to be nonchalant standing along a random wall, camera in hand. Joan spotted me right away. She later told me ”I saw you and thought ’I wonder what she’s doing over there’”.

Just a photographer, standing around

As they walked in front of me, he wanted to stop to look at the art. Joan was worried that I was standing there for a reason, like an assignment. She thought they were in my way! She kept trying to get him to keep walking. He kept trying to get her to come back over by him and admire the graffiti. She was getting so annoyed with him that she kept walking. When she turned around he was down on one knee. I held back and just photographed her as the realization hit. I couldn’t hear much of anything, but she was definitely shocked! And as I slowly approached she looked at me and said ”is that why that lady is standing there?”

Success

After a few minutes I went over and introduced myself, of course congratulating the newly engaged pair. Jason took a few moments to let his heart rate return to normal. But he’d done it, his Dequindre Cut proposal was a success!

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We headed over to my favorite Metropark, Stoney Creek. There is just so much variety in a small drive it’s really convenient for couples.

They aren’t really looking for a full session, since they’ll do an engagement session with Mulberry & Sage. So we only went to what is known as the tree spot. It’s just a quick walk from the golf course, and it’s a nice romantic location with beautiful lighting when the sun is out.

In case you are hoping to use this location one day, be sure to plan well. This spot is crazy busy in the fall, and evenings, specifically weekends. So if you are wanting a session here, and it falls in a busy time I’ll probably

Since I know them both so well, we cruised through the posing I wanted to get in no time. And still had time to have some fun together. They are the cutest couple, and really work well together. Watching them try to be serious or flirty caused some great laughs.

Kayleigh is the co-owner of Sugarcoat Nail Loft in Auburn Hills, and Ryan is doing commercial HVAC work. They are planning the wedding of their dreams. I can’t wait to watch their future unfold together.

Take a moment to enjoy their Macomb engagement photos, and hop over to make a nail appointment with Kayleigh!

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There is something special about a fellow photographer asking you to photograph her milestones, something that is only made more special when you consider that person a friend as well.

I have known Megan for years now. We met through a local photography group and I would like to take a moment to say that my life would not be the same if I hadn’t also met her business partner at the same time. She is an amazing person who brightens my day daily with her messages and lights up every room she enters!

LMFAO Ok for real now.

I have known Megan for over 5 years now and I feel like I have watched her grow up in a lot of ways. As an individual Megan is warm and inviting. She has a heart as big as the ocean. Meeting the love of her life was just the icing on the cake!

As it asks on their wedding website, “Who says online dating doesn’t work?” Megan and Brett met online three years ago. Everyone around them quickly realized how right they were for each other. He makes her smile and she makes him laugh. He builds her up and she humbles him. They love each other truly and fully, even you would see that if you met them even once.

So how do you come up with the perfect engagement session for people you hold so dear? You do your best to capture them as a couple….. but where? Here is what I knew….

• Megan and Brett share a love of music, their dog Charlie, and craft beer.
• Their first date – a brewery
• First vacation – Grand Rapids, for the breweries
• Their favorite weekend get away – Grand Rapids, for the breweries
• Where he proposed – a brewery

We could’ve done a brewery tour photo session, but that wasn’t enough. We had to do better than that. Then the idea hit me…. Find a hops farm!

Easier said then done when you know nothing about craft beer, or hops, or the farms that they grow in, but with Megans help we found a small one 90 min away that hadn’t been harvested for the season yet, and was willing to let us shoot there. ….and it was more than worth the drive!

Selfishly I had a great time photographing something so new to me. It was also AMAZING to have the help of the best photographer I know, mentioned above, Michelle Prano of Lemonade Photos, you should hire them 586 822 2809.

LMFAO ok for real again

Selfishly I had a great time photographing something so new to me. The hanging vines offered such a romantic feeling, and the private seclusion of the farm offered the perfect setting for them to relax and feel comfortable allowing me to capture the love in their eyes when they looked at each other.

I can’t wait to share in, and photograph their big day this May I know it is going to be amazing.

And if you made it this far, and you’re wondering, ok, what’s with all the references to another business and this business partner, she wrote this blog for me. So thanks Michelle for the laugh as I’m posting this. You’re the best, and I couldn’t have anyone but the best write this love story.

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Engagement photography is a fun way to work with all my wedding couples before their big day. Since the wedding day is always in a time crunch, it’s nice to relax and just play, and see what my camera turns up!

I love learning more about them, how they met, what they like to do together. So many couples tell me they are awkward in front of a camera, they don’t know what to do. No worries! That’s where I step in. I’m not to much into the posed engagement photography. I like my couples to walk, laugh, tickle. They end up with such natural images, you’d never know they were nervous.

I feel like it’s been more than just a year since I met Liz and Zac. Not to be all romantic and cheesy, but it feels like from our first meeting we really clicked. They are incredibly laid back and easy going. Which makes my job equally easy.

Liz and Zac are exactly the type of couple I try to attract to my business. They are fun and friendly, a couple truly in love. They understand that a wedding day is a fluid being, and we can’t control every moment of the day. And while there is always a shot list to accomplish, some things are just out of our control. They’ve taken every curve ball thrown their way and adjusted course with ease.

We started their engagement session with a trip to Stoney Creek, the golf course specifically. We hit a popular spot at the park that has these beautiful pine trees. It’s not my favorite place to go for every session, but I feel like its the perfect place for engagement photography. We ended up wandering around the area and capturing all the beautiful sights around us. Stoney has so much to offer, each little area looks different than the last.

Enjoy these engagement photos of two lovebirds, Liz and Zac. I can’t wait to celebrate their wedding in a few short weeks! It won’t be the large celebration they envisioned, but it will be nothing short of amazing.

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I can’t even imagine how hard it must be to pour your heart and soul into planning a wedding day that represents your love for another person. That envelops your family in the love you feel for each other. From choosing the perfect colors to the perfect meals. It occupies a solid year or more of your time. Then one day, you wake up and are told your venue is shutting down. You can postpone, or in some cases reduce your guest list by 75% or more. No dancing, no buffets, guests will have to wear a face mask.

It isn’t the wedding you’ve planned for. And that’s just not fair.

This was the case for Jason and Christy. I remember meeting them the first time. They are a kind, sweet couple. Jason is just head over heels for Christy. When we talked about their wedding day plans, I remember him looking at her lovingly and saying “I just want her to have whatever she wants”. And I can see why. Christy is a thoughtful, down to earth woman, who clearly loves him just as much as he loves her.

So when they called me to say they were going to have to postpone their wedding day a year, I said “well let’s do something to celebrate what should have been. Let’s go do some photos!” Off we went to Stoney Creek on what would have been their wedding day. This was the first time I’d gotten to work with them and we had such fun. Fortunately Jason was a fan of my cheesy jokes, and and posing prompts I love to use for genuine laughs. At the end as we were walking back to our cars he told me he was excited for their wedding day, and he was going to prepare with jokes of his own.

Enjoy some photos from their session. I’m excited to post their wedding photos next year, but for now, I’ll relish my time being their Shelby Township Engagement Photographer!

Looking for more of a city vibe for your session? Head over and check out Kevin and Ebony at their engagement session in Eastern Market!

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Ebony is originally from Australia (I could listen to her talk all day long, I love her accent). I first met her shortly after she arrived here in the states. Kevin was the officiant at a past wedding I photographed for Sarah and Garrett.

We originally planned to go to a park, but Kevin asked if we could head to Detroit, Michigan instead. So we settled on the Eastern Market area for their fun and colorful murals.

It’s felt like forever since I got dressed in real clothes and left my house. Ebony agreed, when she stepped out of the car in that adorable LBD (little black dress) we had a good laugh about how weird it was to plan for an outfit that wasn’t pajamas!

Kevin and Ebony are both teachers, they met in Germany and the rest is history!

Enjoy their Detroit engagement session!

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