We had a beautiful afternoon to go out and do an engagement shoot with Todd and Elly.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Today was a day of engagement shoots. We’re usually closed on Saturdays, but we had some clients from out of town that were here this weekend so we decided to schedule their sessions. It was a fantastic day for it…the weather was perfect!!!

First, we got together with Ralph and Devon who came in from Cali. This is the first time we met them and we had a great time laughing it up as we walked around the Utica, MI area doing their photos.
Here are a few:

After that we took off to meet up with Kirk and Lisa who flew in from Chicago. We met them over at Cranbrook in Birmingham, MI. The grounds at Cranbrook are some of my favorite to shoot at because their is an exquisite mixture of beautiful architecture and nature….along with some funky bigger than life modern art sculptures.

This past weekend I had a chance to go down to Zion National Park in Utah with 40 guys from my church (Kensington Community Church in Troy, MI.)
It was like a mens retreat with hiking, camping, fellowship, etc. I got to meet a lot of great guys and enjoy the outdoors for a few days.

Zion is located in southwestern Utah and is one of the most impressive national parks in the United States. I’ve been to Zion a few times, but never with a group like this.  On this trip I didn’t take too many photos and instead just enjoyed the scenery and the people I was with.

The rest of our images from the Zion and Bryce region can be found on our website. Here is the direct link:
http://www.arisingimages.com/fineart/00_all/index.html?show=__Utah

Here are a few pictures:
This first one is from Observation Point which is the highest lookout point overlooking the park that you can hike to. Tom Wilson and I hiked up there on Saturday. It was a steep climb that definitely got the heart pumping, but it was well worth it for the views along the way and at the top:

Here is one of the views from the trail up to Observation Point. We got to walk through a really cool slot canyon:

This is just a quick photo showing part of the trails in Zion. The trail on the lower half of the picture is what goes up to Observation Point and the split and then zig zag on the upper half of the photo goes to Hidden Canyon.

This is a pic of our campsite with the moon about to rise over the majestic Watchman peak.

I brought an infrared camera with me and spent some time on Sunday shooting some pics around the valley. This one is down by the river right by the Court of the Patriarchs bus stop:

Here is another one from the same area:

I just wanted to say a quick thanks to the mens group that organized this trip. Planning a trip for 40 guys is no small chore, and they did a fantastic job!!

One of the best things about this job is that there is always something new to learn or something to get better at.  Thankfully there are some very talented photographers that tour the country to teach workshops.  As you’ve probably seen on my blog recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time learning off camera flash.  One of the best ways of doing that was signing up for an intense workshop called the One Light Workshop taught by Zack Arias.   It was a workshop that went from 10:00 am - midnight.  Actually, it went after midnight, but I left a bit early because I’m flying to Utah today so I really needed to get home.  The workshop was hosted by Melissa Squires in Ypsilanti, MI.
Zack spent a few hours talking about theory of off camera flash.  Most of this was reinforcement for me because I’ve spent a lot of time reading the Strobist forum which was really helpful.  The best part for me was that we spent a significant amount of time going out and shooting in and around the Ypsilanti area.  David set up a few shots with some models who did a fantastic job bearing with our group all day.  I had decided that I would bring my monopod and flash rig so that I could do a little bit of playing on my own.  When the models were not busy fellow photographers Kristen Taylor, Abby Rose, and myself pulled them aside and did some experimenting with light which was a great opportunity to practice and play around.
Although very long, this was one of the best workshops I’ve been to in a long time due to all the hands on training that we did.  Zack really puts everything he has into these workshops, so I would strongly suggest that anyone who wants to learn off camera flash sign up for one of his workshops!!!

Here’s a few photos:

Here’s just a couple of shots of the work in progress:

Here’s a pic of Zack working:

Today we did the engagement pics for Chad and Stacey. They have three dogs which are part of their family so we did some park pup pics and then did their engagement pics.

We decided to have some fun with the fact that Chad is super tall. Chad and Stacey are two of the most happy and smiley people ever so having a serious face like this photo is funny in itself.

Attention Michigan high school juniors!!  Your junior year is almost finished and you’ll be starting your senior year in just a few months.
Call now and book your high school senior photography session.
Any seniors that book their session before the end of May and mention this blog note will receive 50% off their session fee.  So call now to book your high school senior pics!

The Townsend hotel is a four star, four diamond hotel that is surrounded by the ritz and glamor of downtown Birmingham.
The Townsend offers everything without anyone needing to leave the area. The suites are spacious and provide an excellent space for the bride to get ready. The ceremony and reception can both be held at the hotel and downtown Birmingham provides unlimited opportunities for some creative photos with the bride and groom.

I just love all the ornate details that are found all throughout the Townsend hotel. I even like the light fixtures.

The service at the Townsend is top notch.

With a professional florist such as Blossoms in Birmingham, the wedding ceremony at the Townsend can be an intimate experience.

For some creative urban style photos, we just need to head outside and onto the streets of Birmingham.

This photo shows a wedding reception setup with pin spot lights to really highlight the flowers.

To learn more about our wedding photography business and see some current photos, please see our wedding website at www.ArisingWeddings.com

The Wyndate Country Club is one of those places where you drive up the long windy road and you know you’re going to get somewhere special. The grounds are awe inspiring and the award winning landscape is definitely a site to see. The rolling hills, waterfalls, footbridges, and well manicured greens are just stunning.

The entrance from the back patio

Up on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful landscape is a tranquil location for an outdoor wedding ceremony at the Wyndgate

The park-like setting of the Wyndgate provides some nice areas for photos. However, as most of our clients know, we typically would want to also go offsite if time permits so we could get photos with more variety than just a pretty landscape. The Wyndgate allows people to take golf carts out on the course, however, it’s important to be careful to not waste too much time driving around the amazing grounds.

The main banquet area of the Wyndgate could use some remodeling. The decor is a little dated and the room layout is like a U shape which causes some separation between the guests. However, many couples don’t mind that so it’s something that you just need to see for yourself. As always it’s important to have a professional designer to help with the room decor and layout.

Wedding reception dinners at the Wyndgate Golf Club in Rochester Hills, Michigan are always exquisite!

To learn more about our wedding photography business and see some current photos, please see our wedding website at www.ArisingWeddings.com

The Detroit Golf Club has been around for over a hundred years and it’s Old English style clubhouse provides an excellent wedding venue in Detroit. Outdoor ceremonies on the back lawn are in an absolutely beautiful setting overlooking the golf course, but for colder weather months, the indoor ceremonies can be equally impressive.

Let’s take a look at some photos.
Here are a couple quick pictures showing the outside front and back of the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit, Michigan.

Here’s a photo showing the setup for an intimate outdoor wedding ceremony on the back lawn of the Detroit Golf Club with the beautiful grounds of the golf course as the backdrop.

Ceremonies can also be had inside in a side room that has lots of beautiful windows and soft light coming in.

The mens locker room at the Detroit Golf Club has lots of clean lines which can make for cool getting ready photos with the groom.

Taking some photos around the grounds of the golf club can provide a nice natural setting and some great light.

We typically prefer to not do too many outdoor photos in a park or golf course type setting due to lack of variety (trees and grass) so we would probably go inside to one of the rooms with some nice ambiance or head to nearby downtown Detroit for some more urban style of images.

I just loved these red walls inside the golf club.

There are a number of side rooms where the guests can hang out for their cocktail hour while the finishing touches get put on the main dining room.
I like the way the Detroit Golf Club does this for their wedding receptions because it gives us opportunities to shoot room shots and detail shots in the dining room before it gets all messed up.

Here’s a photo of some of the details on the head table.

To learn more about our wedding photography business and see some current photos, please see our wedding website at www.ArisingWeddings.com

The Dearborn Inn was built in 1931 on the grounds at Ford Motor company and is still in the middle of Ford country today. It is an exquisite Marriott hotel and one of the things that I found really unique about it is that surrounding the main courtyard are 2 Colonial lodges and 5 Colonial guest homes which provide a very unique atmosphere for a large hotel stay.
There is a beautiful gazebo for hosting ceremonies in the courtyard which also provides ample space for the guests during the cocktail hour.
The ballroom there is huge and can be used to host even the largest weddings!
The Dearborn Inn is also very close to the Henry Ford Museum which can provide a fun place for guests to go if they have extra time between events on the wedding day.

Here is a photo of the front entrance of the Dearborn Inn.

The main lobby of the Dearborn Inn is a beautiful space with antique furniture and chandeliers.

Passing straight through the main lobby leads to the back doors which take you out to the courtyard.

The courtyard is a great place for all the guests to mingle and have a few drinks as they wait for the wedding reception to start.

Here is a photo showing a very elegant wedding reception setup of in the main banquet area of the Dearborn Inn.

It’s always important to trust the professionals to do the room design, table layouts, chair covers, etc.

The food at the Dearborn Inn is fantastic and watch out for their desserts!!!

To learn more about our wedding photography business and see some current photos, please see our wedding website at www.ArisingWeddings.com

The war memorial is a national historic site located right on Lake St. Claire. The views of the lake from the ballroom and back lawn are beautiful in the evening. Ceremonies can be done right on the back steps of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial or at the neighboring Grosse Pointe Memorial Church. Both are excellent venues for a ceremony and provide more than enough settings for some amazing images.
If you book there, make sure to check on fish fly season though because the wrong time of year can lead to a LOT of bugs which isn’t too big of a deal as long as you expect it.

The Grosse Pointe War Memorial in Grosse Point Farms, Michigan has some amazing architecture and provides a really romantic location for wedding couples. Here’s just a few photos shot around the grounds.

They also have some beautiful flowers and gardens on the ground that can provide a nice contrast to all the architecture and old buildings.

Here’s a photo of the bridal party on the back steps of the war memorial. They can hold wedding ceremonies here as well.

The neighboring Grosse Pointe Memorial Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan is also a beautiful old historic church which provides an excellent venue for a more traditional ceremony.

The main banquet room at the war memorial is bright and spacious with large windows overlooking Lake St. Clair.

There is also plenty of room for a nice dance floor.

Here’s the downside…fish flies…millions of them. At certain parts of the years, the fish flies hatch and cover everything along the lake. They cover the outside of the buildings and it can get a bit nasty. As long as you’re not afraid of a few bugs and are expecting it, it’s not a big deal and shouldn’t be a reason to deter you from this otherwise spectacular venue!

To learn more about our wedding photography business and see some current photos, please see our wedding website at www.ArisingWeddings.com

The Inn at St. Johns is a really cool place to photograph. They have a very unique chapel that is reminiscent of some of the old catholic churches found in England with a wide aisle and pews that face the aisle instead of the front. The grand ballroom is very spacious and has a nice balcony overlooking the room. The suites in the hotel are amazing and a fantastic place for the bride to get ready. The Inn is situated right near downtown Northville which provides some great places to get away for some creative photos. The only downside to the Inn is that there are a LOT of weddings there so brides WILL see other brides on their wedding day. The chapel also has some pretty strict rules about photography so make sure to check into that as well.

Here’s a photo of the tower at the Inn at St. Johns in Plymouth.

Walking into the chapel at the Inn at St. Johns is like going back in time.

The Inn at St. Johns has a few little courtyards that are perfect for a cocktail hour.

We like to try and get away from the crowds of people when it comes time to do the bride and groom pictures, so we found a few fun locations nearby. These were taken at the Mill Race historical village in Northville.

The grand ballroom at the Inn at St. Johns is so spacious, there are a number of different ways that it can be laid out. Here are a couple views from the balcony.

This room was designed by Emerald City Design who did a really great job. I loved the square tables at the wedding reception.

The grand ballroom at the Inn at St. Johns in Plymouth, MI also leaves plenty of space for a dance floor where bridal parties and families can have a great time!

To learn more about our wedding photography business and see some current photos, please see our wedding website at www.ArisingWeddings.com