Wow . . . I usually post about weddings within days of the event... but this specific wedding ceremony is beyond words. I've tried to write this entry several times now and can't seem to come up with what to say. So... I'll just post a few pics...
CM... I feel so incredibly blessed beyond words to have been a part of your beautiful day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!
Love,
A
and . . .man could they dance...
... at least for a couple hours
I decided that after being on my computer all weekend it was time for a little sun in the valley... Santa Ynez. If you haven't noticed it's my favorite place to go escape for just a little bit.
So I was off in my newly washed car (and if you know me well you know what a miracle that is) . . . with the windows down, wind blowing, 90 degree weather . . and country music blaring... I'm a seasonal country listener... when it's sunny and I'm driving into the country its perfect. . . there is a time and place for everything!!
This jaunt into the valley was meant to be for jam making. . .yup . . .what better to do on a ranch than attempt to make homemade jam with two of your best girlfriends... granted I was just around for the picking of the berries. . . my computer called long before the jarring began.
Hey girls. .. I still expect to get some of that jam!!!
May you all find time for those needed breaks from reality to just sit back relax. . . and pick berries!!
Love,
A
Okay ... there are soo many adjectives I could use to describe this amazing couple, but I kept it short and sweet... just look at the slide show and you'll see... pictures speak louder than words for sure...
This weekend is going to be an awesome time to be on Mackinac (I only wish I was there) ... not only is it August, with sunny gorgeous weather for all the usual fun island things to do BUT it is also the 4th Annual Mackinac Island Fudge Festival (complete with Willie Wonka golden ticket contest, a photo exhibition, and of course a lot of fudgie activities).
As part of the festival, for the first time, there is going to be an open air exhibition of island photographers and their more creative works of art. Although I won't be able to be there in person a few of my favorite island images from this past winter will be there---A little bit of cold underneath the hot summer sun.
Saturday, August 23rd
4pm-6pm Art in the Park: A Photographer’s Exhibition-Mackinac Island is home to many award winning photographers. This exhibition is the first of its kind and will take place at Windermere Point with the award winning bluegrass band: Lonesome County, who have been hailed as one of the most diverse and powerful bands in the country.
If you are going to be on the island please swing by, take a look, and support all these amazing photographers. Since it is an exhibition, none of the works of art will be for sale, but if you are interested in any of these 10 x 20 gallery wraps please let me know.
Go have fun on the island for me . . and try to find the golden ticket!!
Love,
A
So Nick's mom (of Daphne & Nick) . . .turned her camera on Brion and me a couple weeks ago . . . thought I'd share the pic... (man, what a fun wedding . . even if the waves were splashing over the break wall onto the cocktail reception . . . see how wet the walkway is in the background)
Just got off the red eye from Hawaii... wow those beaches are amazing. .. I can't wait to go back and explore more...
but for now ...must get sleep . . . must close eyes ... just for ... one minute... zzzzzz
Well, last night I arrived at LAX at 10 pm ready to board yet another late night flight... although this time instead of heading east I headed west . . .
So at 2am when I landed... blurry eyed and tired I look outside . . . wait . .did they go the wrong way . . did I get my trips confused . . . it looks just like Detroit... it's funny how airports in the middle of the night really all do look exactly the same (how else could you explain a Detroit-Hawaii confusion)
Ahhhh . . but when I awoke just 5 hours later (thank you jet lag) and went for a walk on the beach . . . I realized. . .nope, it's a little different! (thank you iphone . . music & camera all in one)
Aloha . . .welcome to Hawaii . .. my first time here, I can't believe it and am sooo excited ... I've never seen anything like it. . .
and to be here... to shoot one of my best friends' wedding ... to the most amazing girl ever... on a Hawaiian beach. . . wow!!
Stay tuned. . .I'm sure I'll be shooting tons!
Have an amazing weekend!
Love,
A
Say it three times and it brings you good luck and happiness forever . . . okay, maybe I'm making that up, but it is a fun word to say once you get used to it. And now you must be wondering what the heck a Waugoshance is, is it a monster found in the deep forests of Northern Michigan? (close but not quite) . . . is it a tiny little instrument used to lead the way? (getting closer, but not so tiny)...
Well, it is a Magical Lighthouse found that acts as the western gate to the Straights of Mackinac in Northern Michigan... it's history is legendary (ghosts, WWII bombing target, and more, yet it still stands)... due to technology it is being threatened to become extinct. My good friend Chris is helping to save this lighthouse. I had the pleasure when I was back on Mackinac to shoot it from that tiny little plane as the boats went by... now that I've seen it from the air, and read about it's sweet history I can't wait to go visit it up close . . .and maybe even get a glimpse of the ghost... 
To Learn more about this lovely light in the middle of the big lake . .check out the link below:
http://www.waugoshance.org
Looks like the Ghost prefers Heineken & Amstel Light!!
First let me just explain this couple in my eyes. . .
Nick: The little brother I never asked for but am so glad I've discovered (he's my best friend's little bro therefore he's my bro too by association and ten years of history. . . )
Daphne: The beautiful, warm, and extremely intelligent woman that has melted his heart and caused that big huge grin all over his face . . . I love her for that
I knew Nick long before Daphne came into the picture, and I've only known her for a short amount of time... but in that time, it is clear to see that these two truly complete each other. They compliment each others' differences and enhance each others' likenesses. If ever a couple exemplified what it means to complement each other it's Nick and Daphne. With all the craziness of the wedding spinning around them the minute the two were insight of each other there was an instant sense of calmness and peace. You couldn't help but see the softness appear in both of their eyes.
Nick and Daphne, I am so incredibly happy for the two of you from the bottom of my heart. I am so glad to see the joy in both of you and to have gained a new sister...
My deepest love and respect,
A
P.S. . . . had to put the goofy pic of you, Nick... tee hee. . . that's what you get for having me shoot the day!!
I apologize in advance for how long winded this may be but it's been quite a 48 hours and I'm feeling a need to give props . . . (above pic: for those of you west of Ovid... my childhood driveway)
So, I'm not sure if I'm feeling overly nostalgic, emotional . . or just extremely sleep deprived (probably a mix) . . . but this past weekend truly made me feel blessed for the rainbow of people who have and are continuing to show up in my life. Not only am I continuing to meet amazing people with every event I shoot but I continue to have amazing people support me along the way, whether they came along my journey at the age of 10, 18, 25, or 30... this weekend I felt them all...
I came to fall in love with my friends from back home all over again.. be them from grade school, high school, or college... seeing these people I hadn't seen in over ten years.. and bonding as if no time had passed... I saw how we have all changed, and grown . . yet when it comes down to the root of it all... we are all the same and will no matter what have roots in each others lives... I have no doubt that no matter how much time passes, how many miles separate us, we will all be there for each other (this wedding showed me that). The strength of the small communities born in the Midwest is indescribable and have helped me become the person I am today.
It all started at Brownies Diner outside Detroit at 5am where one of my best friends from college drove 40 minutes to meet me (at 5am on a Saturday . . . wow, she must still like me) ..if you are looking for Flo from the 80's TV show Alice I found her...
Then the wedding . . . me as a bridesmaid at a childhood friend's wedding. . . a perfect mix of elegance with a hometown family community bbq . . . and hunting?!?!? (didn't think it was possible) . . . but somehow Jamie pulled it off... she and her parents drove up on the back of a tractor to cross the covered bridge her grandfather had built for her grandmother to begin the ceremony (that's where the tears started flowing) . . . then after that all 500 guests reconvened at the Oakley tractor club (yes... tractors) where the pavilion was beautifully decorated with gold silks, cat tales, wheat stalks, pine cones and . . . animal calls..duck, deer... you name it... oh and how could I forget the camo vests and flip flops... I loved it!!! 
It's amazing how when you are away from home for so long the everyday things you saw growing up can all of a sudden become so unique (like barrels of hay . . don't laugh . . it's true)... I shot this pic because I thought "oh, how cool, look at all the hay rolled up in the corn fields".. my high school buddies couldn't hold back their laughter and just rolled their eyes... somethings never change "You never did know much about farming . . . you don't usually see HAY in CORN fields..."
After Saturday night's late night (early morning) catch up session at the "Little Bar" with High School friends... I was up and on my way to the airport... but not before two more stops to visit one of my best friends from childhood and her adorable little ones and then on to lunch with my "second parents" who have been there for me beyond explanation.
AND THEN . . .you would think it would end there. . .but nope... once I landed at LAX, I happened to get a hold of two friends from college... and we met up for an awesome dinner filled with laughter and sushi before heading back to SB and finally passing out from exhaustion...
One last thought . . . and this may be cheesy but it's true, the night before I left for this weekend; Sweet Home Alabama was on TV ... and there was a line I haven't been able to get out of my head... "You can have roots and wings too", that's exactly how I feel...
May you all rediscover and appreciate the roots that have made you who you are and continue to grow wings along your way...
Love,
A
(Please excuse the photos ... I didn't bring my camera, only the little point and shoot that wasn't working but I hope you all get the idea)
But THIS time. . . I am flying light. All I need is my dress (which is already there), and travel clothes (I'll only be there 24 hours . . yikes!!!)... and my laptop of course.
Off to my hometown of Ovid, for a hometown wedding. My dear friend is getting married tomorrow. . . and guess who's a bridesmaid . . .yup, ME! I'm even leaving my camera behind (don't worry I'll have my point and shoot to document). And to top it off it's a themed wedding... or so I hear, the guys are wearing hunting camo tuxedo vests. . . should be quite an affair. I have a feeling the whole town will be there...
I'm not sure what I'm most excited about, the wedding or flying without having to check luggage!!!
Stay tuned for some pics . . . have an awesome weekend!!
Love,
A
Check it out. . a purse and a laptop bag (my clothes fit IN the bag)... that's it (can you tell I'm stoked)
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