Wedding Ideas: The Cake

As a photographer, I have the privilege of seeing many different weddings in a very short amount of time.  This means I get to visit reception halls, taste the food, see the flowers and decor, and even get ideas of what NOT to do.  I get a lot of brides looking through my photographs when booking me, not just to admire my work but also to get ideas for their own wedding. 

With so much information at my disposal, it would a shame if I didn't share it with everyone else.  So I have begun to put together idea cards that I will update periodically.  If have some interest in them please let me know.  I would love to get some feedback from everyone!

My first installment : Cake Ideas

Frank & Nidhi - Two Cultures become One

One of my favorite things about shooting weddings is the variety of customs and cultures I get to experience.  This was my first taste of an Indian wedding and I have to admit I loved it!  The colors, the textures, the details, I just can't get over it.  Even more wonderful was the addition of a few Chinese customs from the groom's side.  Seeing such a harmonious blending of two lives and two cultures is an wonderful experience and although I wasn't able to actually shoot the wedding (which took place in Aruba) being a small part of this was worthwhile. 

This reception took place at the Fort Wayne Country Club where the food was delicious, the atmosphere and service are great and the trees looked beautiful. A warm fall evening and live band made for an great night that had everyone dancing. I can only hope to experience a complete wedding one day, especially if it happens to take place in Aruba again.

 

Matt & Angelina - Wedding and Cool Decor

Matt and Angelina were married on a one of those days when the sky is dark with rain clouds and you keep looking up wondering when it will all hit.  None the less, these two managed to have a gorgeous wedding.  With beautiful stained glass, Fremont United Methodist Church made for a beautiful ceremony.  I just love how light comes through stained glass.  The reception took place at Glendarin Hills Golf Club and we took golf carts out to some beautiful locations on the course.  We just managed to beat the rain when everyone was seated for dinner but once those clouds cleared, that sunset was amazing.  One of the best parts of a wedding is the decor that every couple choses to represent them.  Take a close look at the table vases to see something a little unique and quite unexpected. 

 

 

Brothers, College and Senior Pics

My little brother turned 18 a few weeks ago.  Guess he isn't so little anymore.  Now he is making decisions about college and his future and I can only hope all those dreams he has will come true.  Of course as a senior in high school, I had the wonderful opportunity to shoot his senior photos (like he would have it any other way) and of course as his favorite sister in the whole wide world I got him to do some photos for me.  I had this idea in my head and although it was rainy and cold, he grudgingly agreed to let me do some night shots.  I love being a bossy big sister!  In the end, he got some cool shots, and I got spend some time having a few laughs with my little brother. 

Kelly & Laura

I first met Laura when she was a bridesmaid in a wedding I photographed about three years ago.  I met her again last year to talk about photographing her own wedding but it was a bit uncertain since she hadn't actually set a date yet.  Kelly's schedule had to be worked around since he is a South Bend police officer but finally an October date was set.   A gorgeous day dawned with warm weather and clear blue skies, it was hard to believe it was almost winter.

They chose the beautiful Morris Chapel in Niles, Michigan for the wedding. I couldn't help but fall in love with this picturesque little church. I almost felt like I was out in New England seeing this area.

We stopped at Battell Park for some more beautiful photos. There is just something about willow trees that I find so romantic.

And finally we arrived to finish the party at the Knights of Columbus in Mishawaka, Indiana decorated with gorgeous fall colors.

Congratulations Kelly and Laura, it was an honor to photograph your wedding. Thank you for being so patient with me and hope you enjoyed Hawaii.

Music and Photography...it is all about the Art!

I have never done a photo shoot for a musician before but I have to say it was a lot of fun.  It is always interesting to collaborate with someone in order to take their vision and turn it into your own.  If you do that well, that image becomes not just a representation of two people but of two arts as well.  For now here is a little glimpse of Money P aka Fetti Vegas.  Check out his music on iTunes Oct. 8th and drop him a Tweet @FettiVegas.

My strength - my daughter

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and while I have heard many times of friends of friends that have cancer, it is really not until someone close to you is affected when you realize how precious life really is.  In January of 2010 our four year old daughter was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphomic Leukemia) after complaining that her legs hurt one Friday afternoon. 

While many of us have heard and know about other cancers, this one was especially heart wrenching, not just because of my daughter, but because it seems so wrong that children should have to fight this disease.  They should be looking forward to growing up and experiencing everything life has to offer, not inside of a hospital or worried about side effects.  But life is what it is and we get through it with love and support from everyone around us.

Our daughter is now five years old and while she will continue treatment for a couple more years, she is a happy, bright kindergarter.  I watch her courage and her strength and draw from it every day.  She is hope and beauty wrapped up in a tiny package.  I can only move forward one day at a time and keep all those children also fighting this battle in my thoughts and prayers.  They are my inspiration.