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When my brother Jake called me on August 16th and asked if I was free on September 19th, I obviously said yes. Then he casually added, “You also think you can be downtown with your camera after lunch?” Oh. Okay. So we're doing something. Jake was planning to propose to his girlfriend, Alexis, and somehow I had been recruited to photograph the whole thing without her knowing. He sent me photos of a few spots around Detroit after he got out of work one day, and he also gave Lex

Let's talk wedding photography pricing without making it weird. Okay, let's talk money. If you're planning a wedding, you've probably started looking at photographers and thought: “Wait... why are they all different prices?” And maybe you had a number in your head already. A lot of couples I talk to initially think they'll spend around $2,000 on wedding photography. Then they start looking around and realize that photographers with experience are often $3,000 and up. So what

A practical wedding planning guide for newly engaged couples So you’re engaged? Oooo, you have a fiancé. First of all, congratulations! Second of all, if you’re staring at your ring right now wondering what the heck you’re supposed to do next, you are definitely not the first person to feel that way. There is no rule saying you have to start planning the second you get engaged. If you want to enjoy being engaged for a while, do it! If you’re planning a short engagement or an

Your wedding day happens once, and you can only be in one place at a time. While you're walking down the aisle, your parents are watching you. While you're taking portraits, your guests are at cocktail hour. While you're dancing with your spouse, your grandparents might be watching from their table. While you're getting ready, your partner is probably doing something completely different. You can't see all of it. That's one of my favorite things about wedding photography. You

Wedding photographers spend a lot of time with you on your wedding day. We're there while you're getting ready, during the ceremony, through family photos, portraits, and often a good chunk of the reception. We see the excitement, the nerves, the happy tears, the chaos, and everything in between. After photographing weddings, there are a few things I really wish every couple knew before their wedding day. None of these are complicated. Most of them are incredibly simple. But

Your wedding party and family aren't just there to stand beside you during the ceremony and take pictures. They can also be the people who keep your wedding day running smoothly. The trick is to give people specific jobs ahead of time. You don't want to spend your wedding day answering questions, looking for missing family members, fixing your dress, or trying to remember whether you've eaten anything since breakfast. Give those jobs to people you trust and let yourself enjoy

Your wedding day is about getting married, but it's also about the people who helped you get there. Parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and other family members can all have a special role in the day, whether they're standing beside you at the altar or simply sharing a quiet moment with you before the ceremony. You don't have to give everyone a formal wedding role to make them feel included. Sometimes the smallest moments end up being the ones you remember most. Here a

Wedding planning can get overwhelming very quickly. There are timelines, vendors, family members, travel, photography, reception events, and about a million little details to keep track of. After photographing weddings across Michigan, I've learned that the things that make the biggest difference aren't always the things couples spend the most time thinking about. A few simple decisions before your wedding can make the actual day feel much more relaxed. These are some of the

No matter how well you plan your wedding, little surprises can happen throughout the day. A loose button, a headache, dry lips, or a forgotten phone charger aren't enough to ruin your wedding, but having a few essentials nearby can make those moments much less stressful. When I got married, I packed an emergency bag with everything I thought we might need. Thankfully, we didn't use all of it, but knowing it was there gave me peace of mind. Whether you ask your maid of honor t

One of the most common things couples say after their wedding is, "I can't believe we never got a picture with (blank)." Your wedding day goes by incredibly fast. Between the ceremony, family photos, dinner, speeches, and dancing, it's surprisingly easy to miss photos with people who traveled hours to celebrate with you. If having a photo with every guest is important to you, the good news is that you don't have to spend your entire reception posing for pictures. Here are the

Your wedding ceremony is the reason everyone is gathered together. While the reception is where the party happens, the ceremony is where you actually get married. After photographing weddings all over Michigan, I've noticed a few small things that make a huge difference. None of these tips require extra money or a complicated timeline, but they can make your ceremony feel smoother and help create even better photos. Walk Slower Than You Think This is probably the advice I giv

Your wedding morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. If the morning feels calm, relaxed, and organized, the rest of the day usually follows. If the morning feels rushed, it's much harder to slow things back down. The good news is that most wedding day stress can be avoided with a little planning beforehand. Here are some of my favorite tips to help your wedding morning go as smoothly as possible. Arrive the Day Before If you're getting married in a different city than

When planning your reception, it's easy to feel like you have to include every wedding tradition you've ever seen. The truth is, there aren't many rules anymore. If a tradition is meaningful to you, keep it. If it doesn't fit your personalities, it's perfectly okay to leave it out. I've photographed weddings with every tradition imaginable and weddings that skipped almost all of them. At the end of the day, the best receptions are the ones that feel like the couple, not a che

Family photos are some of the most meaningful images you'll receive from your wedding day. Years from now, they'll be the photos hanging on your walls, shared with future generations, and looked back on during anniversaries. They're also one of the few parts of the wedding day that benefit from a little planning ahead. A few simple steps before the wedding can make family photos quick, organized, and stress-free so everyone can get back to celebrating. Make a Family Photo Lis

One of the easiest ways to reduce stress on your wedding day is knowing how much time to set aside for photos. While every wedding is different, having a realistic timeline helps you stay relaxed and enjoy the day instead of feeling rushed. The times below are what I typically recommend, but every wedding is unique. Your venue, guest count, travel time, wedding party size, and family dynamics can all affect how long each part of the day takes. Getting Ready Photos (45 to 90 M

When couples hear the words "first look," they usually think about seeing each other before the ceremony. But there's another first look that has become one of my favorite parts of the wedding day: a first look with your parents. Whether it's your mom, dad, both parents, grandparents, siblings, or another important family member, setting aside a few minutes before the ceremony can create some of the most emotional memories of the entire day. If you're trying to decide whether

One of the biggest things I hear before an engagement session is: "We're awkward in front of the camera." I promise, you're not. Almost every couple says this, and by the end of the session they're laughing, running around, and forgetting I'm even there. The secret isn't knowing how to pose. It's focusing on each other instead of the camera. Here are some of my favorite prompts that help create natural engagement photos. Pretend You're in a Nicholas Sparks Movie Yes, I'm seri

One of the first things I photograph on your wedding day isn't the dress, the ceremony, or even the two of you. It's your wedding details. These photos help tell the story of your wedding day before it even begins. They're perfect for albums, invitations, thank you cards, and they help capture all the little things you spent months choosing. The easiest way to make sure nothing gets forgotten is to gather everything into one box before I arrive. While you're getting ready wit

One of the most common questions couples ask before their engagement session is: "What should we bring?" I've got a list below to help! Props aren't required for engagement photos, but they can add personality, help tell your story, and make your gallery feel even more unique. The best props are usually simple items that represent your relationship, interests, or upcoming wedding. Here are some of my favorite engagement photo props and ideas. Champagne and Two Glasses If you'

You've worked hard for your degree, so your graduation photos should feel personal and reflect your journey. One of the easiest ways to make your graduation session unique is by bringing props that tell your story. Whether you're celebrating acceptance into graduate school, starting your dream job, or simply showing off your school pride, the right props can add personality and variety to your photos. Not every graduate needs props, but they can be a fun way to highlight what