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{Riese & Matt} – Saugatuck wedding photographer

I met Riese last September – she was the makeup artist for Megan’s wedding (Megan is the super awesome lead bride on my website – cage veil, gorgeous eyes, check her out while you are here). She did a fabulous job. Fabulous.

Fast forward to last week…I see “Riese Lauriat is engaged” on facebook. I think “Hmm, should I send her a message?”

I don’t.

Then this week Tuesday night, chatting on line with a friend of mine, he asks if I’m busy this Saturday, because this makeup artist he knows is getting married, and he’s not available to shoot her wedding. Tells me a little about her….it’s Riese! So I say quite enthusiastically I’d love to talk to her.

That night Riese and I chat it up and make plans. A lot of our talking was about makeup lines, favorite blushes (NARS orgasm, who doesn’t love it), and oh, her wedding this Saturday.

Typically I have a few months to gear up for a wedding…at least. This, days. But it was small, intimate, and Riese is totally kickin’ with style.

(Fast forward sound)

Saturday. Saugatuck. Chairs overlooking the channel. Quick ceremony and lots of love. Now, I said I typically have at least six months to get to know a couple before I find myself crying itty bitty tears. Yep, not this time. The way Matt looked at Riese would move a heart of stone. The love shared between so many people was apparent.

It was an honor to be a part of your day, Riese and Matt. Thank you.

– Lynell

PS Riese, thank you for choosing those shoes 😉

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i heart pink

We all know it. I love pink. A lot. So when the tree outside my boyfriend’s apartment exploded this week, I found myself (several times) just standing under/near/around the tree, staring at its lovely pinkness.

So to be fair, I thought I should share it with you. Even if you don’t love pink, you have to love Spring and all its newness.

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happy umm, spring?

On this first day of Spring (note: March 20), I’m found sitting in my house at 10:40 pm, windows wide open, and am warm. Sweaty even, as temperatures hit 80 degrees today. In Michigan.

The past week has been filled with gorgeous days, blooming flowers, and amazing sunlight. As I sat in my office yesterday I soaked in the light, then grabbed my camera and had to head outside to capture some of it….and my nieces, who helped gather wild daffodils.

I hope you are all finding at least a few minutes to go outside, stand in the sun, and just soak it all up!

Happy Spring!

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Mini Miller

Just under three years ago (May 2009, to be exact), I got to share in Josh & Lisa’s very special wedding day, and while her last name may have never changed in my phone contacts, some things certainly have!

Like 2 will soon become 3.  A little baby boy will soon join this lovely family.  I won’t get all mushy-gushy on you all because I have a few of these posts coming up.  Apparently ’tis the season for former clients to be announcing their pregnancies, or expecting their first children.  It’s so special to have witnessed those moments where they pledge their lives together, and now to see their eagerness and excitement (and perhaps nervousness) as they await the birth of their first child.  Shoot.  I just got mushy-gushy.

Back to Josh and Lisa.  They are avid runners, Lisa is an amazing pilates instructor (seriously, I’ve been using Lisa and she’s fabulous – if you want details, let me know) – – and they announced their pregnancy with the tiniest little pair of running shoes.  Mini Miller isn’t even here yet and already they are dreaming of the days they can take him out in the jogging stroller and show him how it’s done.  Fortunately, they live right on the White Pine Trail!

The day we had set for their pictures was cold & snowy, one of the few days like that we’ve had this year. Kudos to this couple for braving the cold weather, and many thanks to Lisa for being willing to climb in trees (in heels and 8 months pregnant no less).  As for Mini Mr. Miller, I can’t wait to meet you!

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Tea Party Fun – {Josie} – Grand Rapids child photographer

To know me is to know I love my nieces. Their sparkly shoes, their pretty dresses, their belly-giggles, their snuggles, and yes, even their tea parties.  I love it all, and I love them.

Tea parties are a staple of our lives. I have no less than two tea sets in my house for them….and Josie knows right where to go when she gets to my house. We have tea parties all the time, and I have to say, Josie is a fabulous tea party hostess.

As I started thinking about  her 4 yr old portraits, I wanted to do something a little more special (and something I’d love to do for my clients too) by creating a shoot that shares a little more of her personality & interests, and frankly, is just plain adorable.

So when I asked if Josie could come to my house for her session, we walked into the back yard, under a fence, and  into this little princessy setup in the woods behind my house. Just to have her sit in this pretty little place, designed just for her, was a treat for this Auntie.  To see her smile and enjoy herself – even better treat.

Princess Bugaboo – I love you!

 

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{Sweet Josie} – Michigan family photography

 

When I met Travis & Dana for their initial wedding consultation, it was an instant connection….literally (some of you reading this may get that reference). It may have been because it was in a firehall, full of firemen, but it was special.

Their engagement pics….good thing Travis was a fireman, because they were smokin’ hot! Their wedding, to this day, stands out for so many reasons – for so many people. It was truly a special day.

This winter they welcomed precious little Josie into their lives….and into a whirlwind of NICU, struggles, moments of complete and utter fear, reliance on others for support, emotional, physical, spiritual….and through it all came this tiny little princess….Sweet Josie.

While I had originally hoped to do newborn photos, Josie had other plans. She wanted to be cozy & comfy at home, filled out a little, and a bit more responsive. She wanted things her way. So naturally, I obliged.

And oh, what a sweet time it was.  Just holding her is a precious thing.  Travis and Dana….congratulations again!

 

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Amy & Mike – West Michigan wedding photographer

The text of this grand rapids wedding blog post was lost in our website upgrade, so only the images are available from the original blog post. To see updated images, please visit our homepage and check out our latest & greatest work.

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Nick & Nina – Ann Arbor Wedding Photographer

The text of this ann arbor wedding blog post was lost in our website upgrade, so only the images are available from the original blog post. To see updated images, please visit our homepage and check out our latest & greatest work.

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Summer lovin’ part 2

So I left off with the adventures of Cheredith….

Next up was Sommar and John on a hot hot HOT summer day, on July 10. I was “introduced” to Sommar and John through a wedding I shot early – I had managed to capture them dancing, and they loved the photo, and loved my work, and well, frankly, I love them. These two are so laid back, and the wedding & whole wedding party was a blast to work with.

We started out early in the morning in Muskegon at a salon straight out of my dreams. Antiques everywhere, the sweet smell of Aveda products, and a location right down the street from the Hackley House.



From there we had the pleasure of sneaking into my friends’ cottage on Lake Michigan for some private group photos, free from the gawking of passersby. Thanks Mom C AGAIN for letting me go out there.

Despite the blistering hot sand, a split pair of groosmen’s pants, and pretty much an entire bridal party which was melting, we were having a blast tromping around before the wedding even started.

We even snuck into the back bedroom for a seriously steamy shot. I’m surprised I got them out of there 😉

I think I’ll leave you with a kiss, and let you check out more of their wedding here.

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What a long wonderful summer it has been

One free from blogging, apparently….

There’s no way I can think about getting caught up, so I’m just going to highlight a few wonderful weddings here. They were all wonderful in their own unique way, of course.

So let’s get started. But I’ll probably jump around and have to make this a few installments!

Shortly after Kenny & Becky’s wedding (the day after, actually) was Kristin & Joe’s spectacular wedding in Detroit. I’ve known Kristin since she was 18 months old, and was her babysitter/big sister for a long time. I’ve seen her through kindergarten, graduations, and fortunately, not a lot of heartbreak. Kristin met Joe in college, and we all knew right away he was a great guy…and a great guy for her.

Shooting her wedding was an honor, and it was hard for this “momma” to keep a dry eye. Set at the historic Belle Isle Conservatory, the wedding was not complete without the release of live butterflies and a lot of laughter.


Our bridal party photos took us all around downtown Detroit, to some of Kristin & Joe’s favorite spots. You can’t beat a great skyline & a fun wedding party.

Their fabulous reception was held at Greektown Casino, where we all danced the night away, then met for brunch in the morning…a lot of sleepy faces at that one, mine included!

To view more of their sweet wedding click here.

Next on the agenda were Liz & Sean, whom I met when I photographed her sister’s wedding last fall. Though the wedding sites were the same, these sisters have their own unique style & interests. After their wedding mass, we piled up the wedding party to head into downtown Grand Rapids, where a major traffic jam held us up and allowed for a quick detour to the studio, where Liz rocked out some seriously amazing portraits.

After hitting the studio, we headed downtown to the Grand Rapids Art Museum, and wandered around town for some fun shooting.

These two are so passionately in love, it was difficult to get a bad shot. My favorite of the day had to be their first dance. You don’t have to look hard to find the love.

More of their lovely day can be found here.

With just two weeks to gear up for the next wedding, my tear ducts had just enough of a break to prepare for my good friend Meredith’s golf course wedding. Set at the beautiful Blythefield Hills Country Club, this day full of friends, laughter, and lots of gorgeous weather made for a day perfect for celebrating the marriage of Meredith to Chad. I now call them Cheredith.

Now I know you’re thinking “of course she loves this wedding – look at all that pink”! True, I loved the pink, but what I loved was seeing one of my dear friends so happy to be marrying her best friend.

And with a golfcourse as my canvas, I strapped a chair to the back of the golf cart, threw it in the rough, and had fun with my Meredith’s photos.

What girl doesn’t love a chair in a field?

To see more chair, and more love, view their mini gallery here.

Ok, mini-break. Back to blogging soon….