New blog!!

It’s time to update bookmarks… This blog is moving!

The new address:

http://studioxplore.blogspot.com

See you there!!

I leave you with an image from ArtPrize 2009…. 100,000 Paper Airplanes.

Jeni + Derek | Married!

Jeni and Derek were married August 29, a beautiful Saturday down in St. Joseph! I had such a great time with Jeni, Derek, and their whole wedding party and families. What a fantastic group of people! The ever-fabulous Christina made the road trip to St. Joe with me and started her day with the guys, while I started with the ladies. Jeni was a ultra-organized bride, which earned her a bit of good-natured teasing, but the day flowed absolutely smoothly, and everyone relaxed and had a wonderful time! (Great job, Jeni!)

** Don’t forget to view the more extensive slideshow, also linked at the end of this preview.**

 

Derek was calm and ready to get married! Jeni was also remarkably calm and collected… and GORGEOUS!

 

The flower girl, Kate, with her mom – playing duck duck goose. It didn’t work too well with just two players, but I don’t think that bothered Kate.

 

Isn’t she just a doll?

 

 

 

Jeni and her dad have such a sweet relationship. Jeni got rather nervous just before the ceremony, while her dad got a little teary-eyed. Beautiful!

 

 

I love catching the sweet expressions of the bride and groom during the ceremony…

 

Kate’s sparkly little shoes – so cute!

 

 

St. Joseph Catholic Church is just lovely, and full of light.

 

Married!

 

Time for a few portraits outside. We managed to get Kate and Drew together and smiling, which I’m told is a small miracle! What adorable kiddos.

 

 

 

We then headed to the reception site for photos. The reception was at Mill Creek Barn (the sister-site to the Blue Dress Barn). Mill Creek was just finished this year, and wow!! It’s gorgeous.

 

The handsome men… also, I must say, it was a delight to be around these guys.

 

The happy couple! I think the barn was a great atmosphere – everyone was happy, relaxed, and you can’t beat the setting.

 

Aren’t they stunning?

 

The bride with her bridesmaids and bridesmen… Derek also had two brideswomen. Love it! Always do what is true to your life and your relationship .

 

The lovely sisters

 

This is one of my favorite shots from the day, when Jeni and Derek were relaxed and getting sweet and cozy.

 

 

How handsome!!

 

These two were such troopers, up for anything we wanted to try! Their portraits were so much fun.

 

 

So hot…

 

 

Can you believe the detail in these flowers? Amazing.

 

A few fun ring shots…

 

 

 

And a few reception details…

 

 

I love these next two photos, how Jeni and her father are looking at each other.

 

 

 

On to the dancing… the father-daughter dance was so sweet, especially the end…

 

 

 Beautiful moment…

 

 

Like the Blue Dress Barn, Mill Creek incorporates some fantastic details!

 

 

These little girls were so adorable to watch. They were dancing machines!

 

 

 

Jeni’s dad was not too pleased about Derek going after the garter… it was hilarious.

 

But he relented, and Derek went to work!

 

And speaking of a dancing machine… this lady tore it up!! She was an awesome dancer.

 

This reception was so much fun – the dancing was intense, and everyone was having a blast. The dance floor was packed! Christina and I could have stayed and danced the night away with this amazing wedding party.

 

 

Jeni and Derek, I truly enjoyed capturing your wedding day. Your friends and family were a pleasure! Enjoy your preview, and don’t forget to view your slideshow for more images! (It may take a few minutes to load…).

Cody & Pete | Married!

Cody and Pete were married on August 22 – a gorgeous, mild summer day. And what a wedding it was! I loved everything about this wedding, so look out… lots of photos ahead! Don’t forget to view Cody and Pete’s  slideshow for many more photos (also linked at the end of this post).

Cody and Pete were married at the beautiful Sacred Heart church in Grand Rapids.

 

 

Emotions overflowed a bit when Cody opened Pete’s card…

 

Some of the classy details with a vintage twist… Cody is amazingly creative!

 

 

Getting ready! Another touching moment came when Cody’s brother came down to see his beautiful sister… I’ve rarely encountered siblings as close as Cody and her brother and sister. It’s a beautiful thing!

 

The dashing men… Pete was calm, cool, and ready to marry his sweetie!

 

The STUNNING bride. Isn’t she lovely?

 

 

And the gorgeous ladies! Cody did a beautiful job on the colors for her wedding.

 

And finally, the moment arrived…

 

 

Sacred Heart is absolutely beautiful, and Father Ed was extremely kind in allowing us to get great coverage of the ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

Married!!

 

 

I adore how purely happy Cody and Pete look in this photo.

 

We had to use some of the gorgeous light in the church, stealing a few moments alone for the newlyweds.

 

 

We then headed to the farm that Cody’s parents own. The reception was taking place in a tent on the property. What a beautiful location for photos!!

 

 

 I think you can tell just how awesome this wedding party was…

 

Some general silliness that is Cody & Pete…

 

Love this one!! Cody and Pete are so comfortable, tender, and completely awesome together.

 

 

For a change of pace, we headed downtown on a party bus (which was unbelievably fun) for some urban photos.

 

A little bit different view than what you can find on the farm…

 

 

 

Cody is just ridiculously beautiful, inside and out.

 

 

 

 

Pete is also quite dashing .  It was such a pleasure to photograph such genuine, fun, loving people!

 

 

We headed back to the farm for a beautiful reception.

 

Cody continued the purple & green color scheme, along with great little vintage details – my favorite was the peacock feather detail sprinkled throughout the centerpieces & bouquets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were four toasts from the two best men and two maids of honor. Like all great toasts, there was lots of laughter mixed with tears. It was touching how profoundly these two are loved by their family and friends, both as separate individuals and (very importantly) as a couple.

 

 

 

Some gorgeous views of Cody’s bouquet. She carried her grandmother’s rosary – such a meaningful detail.

 

And I must say, a farm is a great place for taking ring shots…

 

 

The traditional dances were incredibly sweet and emotional. I learned that Cody and Pete’s families are not afraid to have a really good time, and they’re not afraid to show their feelings – both things I love as a photographer!

 

 

 

 

Daddy and daughter…

 

 

 

I caught this moment just after they left the dance floor.

 

Such sweet mom & son moments…

 

 

 

I grabbed Cody for a few more relaxed shots around the property.

 

Then it was on to the party!

 

 

 

During some downtime, Cody and her brother and sister tore up the dance floor. I was wishing for a video camera to capture the awesomeness!

 

 

As was fitting for a reception on a farm, there was square dancing!

 

 

 

Just before Kevin and I left, Cody broke out the devil horns .

 

Cody and Pete, it was an absolute pleasure to photograph your wedding day. We had such a blast with all of your family and friends and we loved everything about your day!! We wish you the best of luck in your new life down in Tennessee. Make sure to view your slideshow here! (It will take a few minutes to load).