Winter Southwest Michigan Engagement Photos

So when one of our 2012 brides calls me up at 4pm on a Friday afternoon and says “Can we do our engagement photos in a half hour?” what do you suppose I said?

Andrea_Greg_Southwest_Michigan_Esession

… “OF COURSE!  Come on over!”  We met Andrea and Greg (if you’re really good friends with him, you can call him Brian) a couple of weeks ago.  They’re planning a fall wedding in St. Joe with their reception at the always fun Shadowland Ballroom and Silver Beach Carousel.  It has, of course, been a mild winter, so we knew the opportunity might or might not happen, but Andrea and Greg really wanted to do a snowy engagement session before Spring.  Last weekend, while definitely snowy didn’t work out for any of us so we jumped on the chance to do it this afternoon.  The couple even brought their dog, Maizey, along for a few pictures.

Andrea and Greg's Southwest Michigan E-Sesssion

Andrea and Greg's Winter Engagement Session

Andrea and Greg's Michigan E-Session

January Visit to the Twin Cities Camera Club – Saint Joseph, MI

photo copyright Jim Lynch

Last Monday night I had the opportunity to attend the Twin Cities Camera Club’s January meeting in downtown Saint Joseph to judge the members’ photo submissions this month.  The Camera Club was established in 1933 and has almost 90 members ranging in experience and photography interests from throughout Southwest Michigan.  Judging one of the Camera Club meetings is always a fun experience in the winter when things slow down a little.  Last week’s photography topic was “creative”.  Members entered a variety of images from portraits to landscapes and architecture.  The above image was created by club member, Jim Lynch, and was among many beautiful photos presented at the meeting.

Off the Clock – Over the River and Through the Woods

She’s back? It was a crazy wedding season! And we have lots to share in the coming weeks… but I thought I would get back into the blogging swing of things on a personal note.  As professional photographers, we sometimes get so caught up in our work that we sometimes forget to slow down and take the time to document the really important things in our own lives.  The off-season is a great time to take some just-for-fun projects off of the back burner.  This is one I’ve been wanting to do for awhile.  Meet Katy, or “Mama Kate” as we call my grandmother.  Yesterday was her 94th birthday, so I thought what better time to head up to Holland for a visit and to take that portrait of her I’ve been wanting to take for so long.  The night before, my four-year-old daughter said to me “Mom, did you know I have five grandmas?”  And she’s right, two grandmothers and three living great-grandmothers.  What a privilege for a little girl to have three generations of strong women before her to look up to.  I, too, had the honor of knowing my own great-grandmother who lived to be 110 and cherish the memories I have of the time spent with her.  Happy 94th Mama Kate!

Mama Kate

Venetian Festival Sunset Engagement Session

What’s better than a Southwest Michigan sunset?  Why a Southwest Michigan sunset at the Venetian Festival, of course!  As many of you know, I’m quite often working on the weekends in the summer, so when our 9.10.11 couple, Cortney and Jeff, wanted to schedule their engagement session last Thursday, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the opening night festivities at St. Joseph’s annual Venetian Festival, which I normally do not get to attend over the weekend.Really, any shoot involving cotton candy and a ferris wheel can’t be anything but fun.  Cortney and Jeff were a blast to work with and since learning over the course of the engagement shoot that they met at a Target store, I’m reeling with ideas for wedding day photos.  The two will be tying the knot at one of our favorite Berrien County locations, the Chapel at the Morris Estate in Niles, Michigan with a reception following at Mishawaka’s Beiger Mansion . Congratulations Cortney and Jeff!  We’ll see you in September.

Chicago Wedding Photo Tip

chicago wedding party skyline

Wedding photography tip:  When photographing a wedding party at the most popular wedding photo location in Chicago, rather than trying to shoot around the six other wedding parties that are there (most of which probably did not have permits 😉 ) , just use them as a design element.

This isn’t really my post from our wedding last Saturday, but I thought it was a fun example of troubleshooting at a crowded location.  Check back soon for more from Michelle and Jeremy’s big day!

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