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{Lauren & Doug} – Pine Knob Mansion wedding photographer – Clarkston, MI

Lauren and I met over a year ago, way over, at a little coffee shop….not the first one…or the second one…but the one where we finally found each other, and like all good things it was worth the wait. 😉

There were a few bumps in the road in planning this wedding, but I have to say, the final outcome could not have been better – more romantic – more heartfelt – and more full of fun and excitement by so many people!

Dan and I started our day @ Glitz Salon in Clarkston…and in fact, our whole weekend was there – little did I know when I booked these events that I would spend three days in a row in the exact same area shooting weddings & a fun little splash the dress on Sunday! To have so many events in one location was a huge blessing for this travel-weary team!

But this is about Lauren & Doug’s day. It was perfect. Gorgeous, sunny, not too warm, not too cold. Lots of laughter, a few “that’s what she saids,” and of course, a LOT of tender moments and even a good number of tears.

Pine Knob Mansion played host to both the ceremony and reception for this couple. Their relaxed style & classic looks seemed to fit perfectly with this gorgeous venue.

Their sweet ceremony was the perfect representation of the love these two have for each other, and I myself got teary eyed a time or two during the course of the day. I know that happen often enough with me, but I was extra sappy this day.

The tinkling of bells (Doug’s last name is Bell) brought these two together for sweet kisses all evening long, and guests danced away the night on the Mansion’s beautiful porch.

While Doug & Lauren are off in Hawaii enjoying a much needed break, I hope you all take time to tell them exactly how beautiful and special their day was!

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Archives

{Adam & Melissa} – Bois Blanc Island wedding – Michigan wedding photographer

Melissa and Adam’s day started out with some of us taking a lovely ferry ride across the Straights of Mackinac to Bois Blanc Island to greet them at Insel House, a quaint B&B where the wedding party was all spending the day getting ready together.

Bois Blanc Island is a special place for Adam & Melissa – her family has vacationed there for years, and when they started dating at 16, it was one of their first little trips together. In fact, the dock where we photographed them is the spot where Adam asked Melissa to be his wife.

The island may be rustic, but it is full of special memories for these two, and now their wedding celebration is added to that list of “do you remember whens”.

Speaking of memories….one of my couples, from 3 years ago, was a part of this wedding. Brad & Stacy are like my wedding boomerangs – minus the tossing them away part – they just keep coming back. I’m honored to have been a part of their wedding three years ago, and now so many of their friends! It’s fun to see these faces year after year, and to celebrate with this great group. You can see in their interactions that the friendships in this wedding party go deep – years of fun, trial, love & support are what this crew is about.

We wrapped up the evening with a tasty Italian dinner extravaganza, full of Missy’s family recipes, and served by family, with love.

Missy & Adam, your friendship for and love for each other is so evident – thank you for letting us celebrate with you, and here is to a lifetime of beautiful memories…on and off that lovely little island.

Lynell & Dan

Archives

{LeCouteur Family} – Grand Rapids family photographer

I’m trying desperately hard to catch up on my family photo sessions – but with 8 weddings in the past 4 weeks, seniors every other day (or so it feels!), and a couple of other jobs, well, let’s just say the blog has taken a BIT of a backseat. To those of you who haven’t been blogged – no offense – it’s just well, “season.”

This family, however, deserves a little shout out. I’ve known Rod since before it was Rod & Mary, when his boys were just babies – and I watched them in nursery (and babysat). James is now 13, and Jack 11….and the whole family has five gorgeous kids – including cutie patootie Naomi, the newest member of the clan.

Rod & Mary were one of the first couples whose lovely wedding I got to capture – and it was an honor to photograph them then – and it is an honor still. I love watching these kids grow up, and am so blessed to be someone in their lives for all these years.

And while it’s just a quick preview – it’s still a preview!

Rod & Mary – thanks for keeping me around for so long!!!

– Lynell

Archives

{Thompson Family} – Grand Haven Family photographer

The best part of this job is meeting new people – and Kirsten & her family were no exception. Every year they come from Georgia for the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven (Mark is from there), and even though they had to drive through the night, get a flat tire at 2:30 am, and arrive at 6 am….they were still ready & excited for their family pictures.

Kirsten – thanks for finding me! What a treat to meet you all!

Here’s a little preview to tide you over until they are all ready!

Archives

{Juan & Ali} – married – Cranbrook wedding photographer

So this blog post actually started nine years ago, when Juan’s younger sister, Irene, came to live with me (she was a foreign exchange student from Spain at the time)….I wasn’t even a photographer then….but actually, the start of my photography happened in Spain the first time I visited her

Last January I went to visit her again for three lovely weeks. In that time I got to know the family even better, got to meet the newest members, and had the pleasure of photographing the babies. Little did I know that would turn into an email from Ali, her soon to be sister-in-law.

Ali was born & raised in Michigan, and while she Juan were both living in Knoxville, TN, they met, fell in love, and then arrived at this beautiful day – their wedding day. So while I would have LOVED to photograph their wedding in Spain, I just (sigh) had to settle for the amazing Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

The day started at Todd’s Room where Scott worked to bring Ali into her full bridal beauty! As Dan & I ran over to Cranbrook to check out the gorgeous gardens and amazing scenery, Ali joined us to slip into a beautiful lace dress (perfect Spanish style!) and get ready to meet her dashing groom. Everything was perfect, including her gorgeous flowers by Tiffany Florist.

Ironically, though I consider him “extended family” – I had not officially met Juan! What a great moment to finally meet the last member of the family, right before he saw his lovely bride for the first time.

Sharing those special moments with family were only made better as members of the families arrived, greeting each other with joy & excitement on behalf of Juan & Ali.

Their ceremony was precious – combining elements of Spanish tradition with not only American flavor, but things that captured the essence of this beautiful couple.

While we only had a few minutes to tour the grounds after the wedding (or so it felt to me – I could have stayed their for hours), it wasn’t a tough thing to end up at the reception venue – Heathers Club of Bloomfield Hills.

As “family” I helped them celebrate the night away, dancing, toasting, and yelling “Viva” with the rest of the family.

Juan & Ali are now enjoying a lovely honeymoon in Paris, and will be celebrating again next week with more family at Juan’s parents’ home in Cercedilla, Spain. While I won’t be joining them there physically, I will still be celebrating this gorgeous wedding from afar!

Ali & Juan – Salut, y besitos!
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Archives

{Lindsey & Hernan} – married! Grand Rapids wedding photographer

Lindsey & Hernan, aka moomoo (long story), are hilarious. Laughter spills out everywhere….and it was probably the most I’ve ever laughed doing family photos.

They had a lovely wedding in Mexico a while ago, which was slightly hampered by rain – I heard salads blew off the tables. So it was only fitting that the day they chose to celebrate their marriage in Michigan was the ONE DAY IT RAINED THE WHOLE DAY….ALL YEAR. And you know what Lindsey did? She laughed it off. After all, what can you do? We managed to pile the family on a covered porch, and thanks to the help of some VERY kind uncles, I was able to stand on a chair (they sweetly volunteered to hold my legs), and keep the rain from dripping down my dress (again, sweetly volunteered to shield me), and get some family pictures….because for Lindsey, the gathering of her friends and family was the most important to her.

And while I did drag them outside at Centennial Country Club for a few quick shots when it let up enough we wouldn’t drown, we had to put off the formal photos for a day with a little more sun, or at least a lot less rain.

Rain, rain and more rain, however, didn’t dampen their spirits. They danced & laughed the night away, and truly showed their happiness with each other, and the joy they felt celebrating with their families.

Lindsey & Hernan….a sunny day, someday soon, is all ours.

For now…enjoy this little preview!

Archives

{Lexa} – West Michigan Senior Photographer

I knew when I met Lexa she was a girl after my own heart – her love of all things lace was enough for me – plus, she was sweet, adorable, and I knew she would get my vision for her senior photos.

I like to take one thing from my senior clients – their style, personality, interest, and try to incorporate it (hopefully, not in a cheesy way) into their sessions. Lace is easy! We talked a little about my idea, and she was game for it. And my dear friends, once again, allowed me to use their little ranch for photos with horses. Those animals MUST be getting used to me!

Lexa, thank you for being fabulous, and enduring that heat – you didn’t even look like you were melting – but I know we ALL were!

I look forward to sharing the rest of these fabulous photos with you – once I can narrow it down – Yikes!