Mary & Matt Engagement

Mary & Matt are one of those couples who just look like they were born to be together. We did their engagement session in the height of winter in Detroit, which can sometimes be a challenge, but starting in a nice warm conservatory helped to loosen things up!







These two are very active in cross-country and track for their alma matter, so I thought it might be fun to do a little bit of hurdling... much more difficult than it looks! HA!




After we spent some time warming up indoors, we headed out to Campus Martius, where there was an outdoor skating rink! I've always wanted to do a session on the skating rink and the weather was absolutely perfect - even with big white puffy snowflakes!!



Things started off a little rocky... but they always had each other to lean on. ;-)





Little known fact: Matt holds a WORLD RECORD for Snow-shoeing! How cool is that?! You can definitely see their competitive spirit come out when they're playing together.




MMmmmmmm... is right! Kisses are yummy! ;)


Aww...


I have to admit that my fingers were about to fall off from freezing when they decided it was time to go inside. ;-) I'm surprised my camera was still working after the temperatures we were in! Nothing like a little hot cocoa to make everything better...


Obviously it's not winter in Detroit right now! HA!! I'm trying to blog everything that I haven't had time to catch up on- so you'll be seeing some more winter pics to come!! Mary & Matt had a fabulous wedding that I can't wait to share with you too!!!

Brittany & Aaron Engagement

What an adorable couple!! This was my first (and probably my last) engagement session in downtown Terre Haute, IN!! Someday I'm going to do a study on the facades of Terre Haute, because you'd be amazed how many buildings have multiple materials, colors, and complete randomess on their facades. Anyway... back to Brittany & Aaron....


I love light, contrast, and lines. Yummmayyy.




The picture above was probably one of the first ones from the session. Don't they look nervous? Don't worry people, this is natural and it happens to EVERYONE! It's weird staring at a camera! However, it usually doesn't take too long for couples to loosen up in front of me after they realize what a goof I am. ;-)



Sexy specs...


.... and some rockin' bling....




yummmmayyy..... kisses and flare... I'm happy!!!




I have no idea what I said... but it must've been funny!!


I loved the light reflecting off of the lake...


The End!! Stay tuned for their wedding photos!!

Jackie & Chuck Engagement

He's an actor, she's a dancer, and together, they're an eHarmony success story. Even though they live in Chicago, at the time of their engagement session, it was more convenient for all of us to shoot their engagement photos in Detroit, where they were also visiting Chuck's family. Because it was super cold outside, I suggested we shoot inside the Belle Isle Conservatory, one of my favorite places to go when the weather outside is frightful. There's just something about green plants that make people happier, warmer, more relaxed... more in love.



Right off the bat Chuck started showing me his goofy side... and I gotta say, nothing breaks the ice like a ton of laughter. ;-)


It was easy to see Chuck being comfortable in his element, but I also wanted to see Jackie in her own element, so I asked for a little dance lesson... I believe this is the Charleston?? I'm pretty sure Chuck was supposed to be leading, but I think the body language says it all...





After warming up in the conservatory, it was time to head back out into the cold and to visit some of Chuck's favorite places in Detroit! First stop- the beautiful and historic Gem Theatre, where he worked for a while before moving on to Chicago...



I just love this image because of the symbolism of the young couple looking ahead to their destiny of a much older couple, still holding each other as they walk down the sidewalk... *sigh* I love people in love. ;-)


Next stop, the famously classic Elwood Grill! There's a saying in Detroit, "Meet me at the Elwood," which would typically be a pre-game or post-game stop downtown.


Last, but not least, Chuck showed us where his family has season tickets at Comerica Park...


Deeeeeeetroit!!!! At least 2007 was an awesome year for the Tigers... ;-)

Keep an eye out for their fabulous wedding photos in a future post!!!

Monica & Eric Engagement

Smart, witty, ambitious, adventurous, interesting, and grounded all come to mind when I think of Monica & Eric. I just love how real and authentic they are... is that weird to say about someone? Oh well, that's what I love about them. ;-)

They live in a beautiful old furniture factory remodeled for loft style condos in downtown Indianapolis, next to the Indianapolis Zoo, White River State Park, IUPUI, and IndyGo public transportation. I normally wouldn't give this much info about where they live, but they're trying to sell their condo- and if my hubby was teaching downtown instead of in Terre Haute- we would totally buy it!



I liked Eric's personalized pint glasses. ;-)





Don't they look like they could be in a Columbia catalog?

Any question about who their favorite team is?

When I asked what they love to do together, one of the things they mentioned was playing with their dog Riley, who is such a good dog with tons of energy...


They have a nice grassy area for Riley to play in, and I just love this orange throwing-stick-thing they use to throw the slobbery, slimy tennis ball after it's been in Riley's mouth! I wish I'd thought to get one of those when I had a lab who loved to play fetch!


What a catch! I think Riley would have done a back-flip just to catch the ball!


You want Anne to play? HA!


Another thing that Monica & Eric love to do together is take walks along the river. In fact, Eric is the one who developed the INShape Indiana program to promote healthy lifestyles for the people of Indiana! One of the public contributions of the INShape program were these mile markers to help encourage more walking downtown...


They love this bridge...


Along our walk, we crossed paths with a lovely bride & groom who were out exploring the town with their photographer.. how serendipitous!


Of course, being photographers, we had to stop and strike a ShootSac pose! (Yes, I look like the pillsbury dough-girl and yes, I want to poke my tummy and say hee-hee!)


I love trees!


... and kisses...


... and skylines... with kisses...


.. and hugs make me smile... ;-)


I saved my favorite for last. ;-) Sometimes I have a hard time putting into speech what it is that I want to accomplish visually. So, when we were walking by the zoo, I noticed a bunch of animal sculptures standing on top of a hill and I got so excited about an idea that I told Monica & Eric I wanted them to be animals too! Of course, Monica & Eric gave me a funny look and said, "You want us to be animals? Like... act like an animal?" After finally realizing what I had just asked of them, I burst into laughter and explained what I really meant... I wanted them to look like they were part of the sculptures!! My embarasment was completely worth it because this is by far my absolute favorite picture of them together and if I were them, I would get it blown up as a big canvas gallery wrap piece of art for their home. (No pressure!) ;-)


Thank you Monica & Eric for such a wonderful time together and for the FABULOUS Thai Pad See-ew! That was totally unexpected and so generous of you- and sooo much better than what I probably would have had to eat on my way home!! I can't wait for the wedding day!!!