Carrie and Brandon were married in the back yard of her childhood home, with the reception just steps away in a pretty white tent full of their closest friends and family.

The Ceremony wasn’t until 7:30 pm so lucky us, we hit golden hour for portraits after the ceremony finished.  The home resides on the outside of a golfcourse, so there was plentyof pretty landscape for us to tackle… and that we did   It’s not often I get the chance to use the best light of the day for a wedding, so Christi and I kind of had a blast with it!

Very Best Wishes to Carrie and Brandon as they start their married lives together, may your amazing friendship continue to grow and may you cherish all of the new memories that will lie ahead of you. A special thanks to Aunt Beth for her hospitality while we spent the early afternoon at her house where the bride and her bridesmaides got ready for the day!  We appreciate it!

Side note, I am running extremly on time for everything right now - in order to accomodate all of these weddings in a short time this year it has taken me some extra time to pay close attention to all of the images. While nothing is going out late or past deadline, I want to express how much your continued patience means to me – I promise that as soon as your galleries are availble, I will contact you.  I know that it is hard to wait, and if you do have questions, please feel free to reach me during normal business hours via email or phone call and I would be happy to help you out!  There are a lot of beautiful couples being photographed and I look forward to sharing them all and releasing galleries as they become ready <3

xo

dani

Abby and Greg were married on the beach in Kitty Hawk on the Outer Banks in North Carolina at the Hilton.  The Brown Family hosted my husband and I in a beautiful beach house in Nags Head for five (!!!) days while we got to know the extended family and friends of the Brown/Reynold’s crew and enjoy the beach and simple relaxation… this really wasn’t easy – by the time I’d figured out how to just let go and enjoy myself, it was time to hop on a plane

The Brown family is close to my heart and if you have seen them on the news, they are probably a bit close to yours, too.  I have enjoyed getting to know them over the last few years and count my blessings that I ever met them. 

The day of the wedding storms rolled in back in Nags Head but politely passed us by in Kitty Hawk, with the skies opening to a beautiful burst of sun right after the ceremony.  The intense heat let up a bit and the breeze came swiftly, along with amazing waves and a gorgeous sunset.   “Little Sis” Alexa was clearly with us all that day – I do not know that there was a dry eye on the beach for both beauty and pain and celebration. Such a mixture of emotions, such a family of strength. 

Greg is no doubt the perfect person to join their family,  he supports and carries Abby and lifts her up and is clearly her very best friend.   Getting to know Greg was a treat and I look forward to getting to (hopefully) know him more as time goes on.   I’m trying to not make this post about me, per se, but for Ken and I to be welcomed in such a way that we were and to be made to feel like family was incredible!  Such gracious, wonderful people!

Abby + Greg, may the wedding you had on the beach, your favorite place to be, be blessed forever with nothing but happiness (and lots of kids!).  Thank you for sharing this special event in your lives with me.  This was a huge honor to be there and I hope the images you receive reflect the feelings in your hearts that day.

xo

dani

 Probably not the largest sneak peek in the history of the blog, but that’s busy season for you!  So, the computer issues have been resolved and I am JUST now nearly being able to say that I am caught up. 

Jenny is a family/childhood friend of mine.  Our parents were all best friends when we were little and we would spend a lot of nights at eachothers houses playing while our parents ate chicken wings and drank beer.  We spent many fridays at Fremont Ross basketball or football games and lots of time just being kids.  Of course we all grew up and times changed, but that’s life.  It was a LOT of fun to spend the day with Jenny, Mitch, and their families and seeing my parents enjoying some old friendships that we all treasure so much.

Many, many thanks for your hospitality to Christi and I on your wedding day and many, many blessings to you and your families as you begin married life!

(ps, we were worried about rain this day, and it was nice and hot and fairly humid instead – aaaaaaaaaaaand it monsooned for hours the next day – we win! )

I have two weddings to finish up, and I am off this weekend! Super excited about that… because starting the 23rd, Christi and I have 3 weekends in a row.  Nice knowing you guys!

xo

dani

FINALLY got to blog Joe and MarLana!  They never even got more of a facebook sneak peek   Their book comes in tomorrow and I’m so excited to give it to them! 

I think they could all be models personally:)

Back to the him-haw, but I do want to publicly thank BOTH the Ricci and Binkley families for their amazing hospitality, Mr. & Mrs. Ricci for inviting me to their table for dinner and making me feel like I was a part of your family.  May you all be blessed and enjoy eachother now and always.

Thank you SO MUCH to my lovely Christi.  She wasn’t originally supposed to work that day and she came on her scheduled day off to shoot the morning and the ceremony and to hold a light in the blistery crap cold rain by the lake-  and turned out some bang-up images for me even in that short amount of time.  Thank you for all that you do for me.  NONE of this would be happening the way it does without you. I can’t wait to watch this unfold through the years.

I’ve officially moved out of the upstairs and now have invaded my dining room for the next week (um…. insert how you think I like that, here ____________).  All of my hard drives were backed up, computer upgraded and reorganized for the move (weee!).  Then, I got the blue screen of “&$!%^$!!!” today.  It rebooted, but I’m guessing soon I have to do some other upgrades to my operating system I”m not happy about, and I dont think my new video card is meshing well with my machine! Ahh!

Okay enough of me rambling. Enjoy Mr. + Mrs. Binkley =)

xo

dani

 There is probably more than a typical share of black and white images, especially in places I wouldn’t normally use a black and white conversion.  Truth be told, I couldn’t help it with some of these. Normally if I would look at a photographer’s wedding images and see a sh*tload of black and white images that are in placed where color would be great – I would say they are amature in the least and either cannot process color images, expose them correctly, or had white balance issues.  I hope I am not portraying that here.  Sometimes there is a classic look I feel I can achieve with a black and white image, or better display emotion.  I suppose ultimately as the artist, how each image comes out process wise is up to me. So… yeah.

Mike and Mindi’s wedding was cold to say the least. It was well below freezing, blowing, and snowing here and there.  I was so happy that we made it outside for a few mintues, but after those few my finger became so stiff I could no longer turn the wheel to adjust the exposure and we had to move on.  It was worth it, though =)  I hate when I do a blog post and I have to pick and choose what to share. Not only do I not like to share ceremony images, at least until the B+G have seen them first, but there are always SO MANY fun candid moments at a reception that picking what I do/do not share would be near impossible.  This reception was candid fun overload, and I think there will almos thave to be a blog-share of all of them at some point. So many cute dancing kids and so many… adults, dancing like cute kids.

This couple just returned from somewhere really warm, I admit I am jealous. But I cannot wait to go outside today and breath some of that fresh air – my four day bout with acid reflux has left me with almost no voice and a sore throat – cool, fresh, spring-like air sounds like a good remedy, no?

Congratulations to Mike + Mindi and their families on this happy union – I have known mindi since we were really little, and almost (ALMOST!) decided to bring out some extremely old photos but lucky for EVERYONE, I’m really stretched and short on time lately.

xo

dani

Jessica and Justin are one of those couples that you catch yourself saying “FINALLY!” when they announce their engagement.  Being blessed enough to call her my (beautiful, funny, very smart, caring, kind) cousin, I can say the entire family is beyond elated and is VERY excited for their August wedding.  We all knew it was coming – and it made an extremly happy Thanksgiving to hear this annoucement.  Justin is great – not only can he get my kids going – but she can leave him unattended in a house jam packed full of people who’ve known eachother forever (and with one great uncle who could potentially scare you and make you so terrified and/or torment you if he so desired) and he fits right in.  I have endless memories growing up with Jess, but I know this wedding will end up being loaded with a ton of new ones – full of happiness, joy, and hopefully, Lady Gaga at the reception.

It was kind of one of those days where it feels like -50 outside when we shot these in Downtown Toledo, Ohio.  That didn’t really matter to Jess because, you see, she’s been waiting for this.  And, it was going to happen!  I am glad it did, because she brought me flowers.

Okay, she really did but, seriously, it was a lot of fun. They brought their adorable pups Ruby + Violet with them (along with dog wrangler and sister Paige, who I also love beyond description) and we made it to a few really important places.  5th/3rd field (home of your Toledo Mud Hens, farm team to the Detroit Tigers) where they met, and to Levis Commons – where they had their first date (at Johnny Rockets and Maggie Moo’s!) and ultimately, on the bench be proposed to her on.  Going into JR’s was kind of a whim thing but I’m happy we did it.  Jess doesn’t drink soda but the waiter was nice enough to stage the scene anyway.  I saw more of a huge a** milkshake scene but it was free, so…

 01/22 wedding blog coming next week… I shall return then.

xo

dani

ps: just a quick HI to any new readers!  Thank you for joining my facebook page and thank you as well to those of you who send out suggestions!

- George Eliot

When we are sad, we are in a depressed state of mine.

When we are elated, we are in a happy state. Not moving, static state.

This is the state of being a family, of three.

Amiee and Zeb will be married July 30, 2011.  We did their engagement session back in November, before Thanksgiving but I am just now getting around to sharing a few (okay, a lot) from their session.  Given the sun came out right as we finished, I was a bit nervous about the potential lacklustre of an extremely overcast and windy day.  I’m not talking gently cloudiness that is diffusingly pleasent, here, either.  The wind calmed and the sky opened up a bit and the perfect mix of color and memorable black and whites came alive.  I’m not a huge fan of too many black and whites when you’ve got beautiful color all around you, but some images are too timeless and simply call for a classic conversion.

Every now and then I get to shoot a wedding where either the couple, or the bride or groom has a child or children.  I get it that at times certain traditions or religious experiences frown upon it – but seriously? What in the WORLD is greater than a family coming together in this way? No, we do not need paper or a legal status to make a family.  But is sure is glorious when the joining of people, of families, is brought out in joyful ceremony and celebration.  I know first hand what this day will feel like for Amiee and Zeb (and Jr., as he’ll enjoy cake and dancing) and this is special.  When I shoot engagements for couples with children involved I love to have them come along.  I do not think it creats a “family photo opportunity” but a way for each member of this party to feel happy and comfortable. 

We are at best when surrounded by those who can see us when we first wake up inthe morning and still give us a smooch or a huge hug, so photographing everyone together preserves our  “at best”… at it’s best <3

There is no greater bond than that of the heart and mind – some people say it’s a blood thing – however the heart facilitates the life to our blood, combining it with the air we breathe when we laugh.

I share a special bond with Amiee.  We’ve met in passing via facebook and another client and friend of mine.  However we were both mutual friends of sweet Kelly – and I’ve shared moments of grief with Amiee that have given her a little space in my heart (not to overuse the word today).  I think once you cry with someone in A. walgreens and B. a bathroom – you’re friends for life.

xo

dani

Katelyn and Brian’s wedding was so much fun, and so different than what I usually get to shoot.  They did a first look – where the bride and groom meet before hand =)  I’ve only ever had one other wedding that has done it, and I’m here to tell you that, if you are getting married, consider it!  Such a happy, emotional experience and really lifted the pressure off of the bride and groom.  Think of how amazing it would be to have that first moment together, semi-private, and relax the rest of the day!  All but church formals done before hand, and off to the party when they were done!  Katelyn planned this meticulously, and I am sure if you had any questions on setting up a day like that she would be willing to share some hints or tips on how she scheduled it all!

The details were fabulous and the location was pretty grand. Loved. It. All <3

Katelyn’s sweet bangle – wish my hands weren’t so stinkin’ wide, I’d love to wear somthing like that! And, isnt that ring neat? Never have quite seen a design like that…

Brian plays guitar – perfect cufflinks!

Great grab by Christi!  A bridesmaid’s cell alarm went off at 3:25 to remind her of the 3:30 wedding (smile) – Father of the bride waits for his lady =)

Kind of a big blog post for a sneak peek – but I really could have went on and on *wink* – too much pretty stuff to look at!

Thank you to the Alexander’s and their families for the hospitality and the snacks and dinner.  It was much appreciated and we are grateful!

Flowers: Beautiful Blooms by Jen (click to join her facebook page)

Cake:  Cherry Lane Cakes (click to join the facebook page)

Fantastic partner in crime: Christi Jo Guhn

Reception at Maumee Bay State Park =)

Onward… things I was to finish last week are still on my plate… eek!  ‘Tis the season, though.

EDITED TO ADD: How could i forget? Thank you Christi for your hard work – I just love ya =)

xo

dani

Lots to do, lots to do.

Wedding weekend this weekend (YAY!).  I’ve only got oh… 9 different galleries to host by friday morning.  No stress! =)

It was obviously a busy last week with every make-up on the books and lots of next years wedding couples scheduling their sessions for late fall.  I am a bit tired, but not sure what that has to say for someone who’s up at 1:45 am and has to do reading group to a bunch of 1st graders in the morning… hmm!

The first two images are two girls I’ve known for a little while now, and one of the very first I ever photographed.  Littlest C. was under one year old at the time!  Oldest sister E. went to pre-school with my daughter and they were cute buddies together.  I always enjoyed their mother’s company, but as our girls went to different schools – we didn’t get to see eachother much.  It was crazy refreshing to see Mom and how much her beautiful, amazing daughters have grown up.

Baby B. is turning ONE here soon.  His session came in with some family portraits as well – dad was overseas when B. was born, serving our country.  These were their first family portraits and I decided to let them view them first before blogging them.  Thank you, Kyle – for your service to our country and for all of the sacrifices you made on our behalf.  Thanks also to technology; Kyle was even able to be “in the room” when little B. was born via computer connection.  I know very few military men and women but I admire each and every one of you who work so hard to maintain a family unit.  I cannot imagine what you go through, but I thank you.  B.’s mom was there for me at a challenging time in my life when I was in college, and I don’t know that I ever thanked her appropriately, but maybe only how I knew how to at the time. I hope she knows I am grateful. She’s a tough cookie, too.

Lastly, Jenny + Mitch.  I’ve known Jenny since… ohh…. well, our dads played softball together since I know for sure I was in diapers so I’m guessing it just goes back that far.  Our parents were friends growing up and we spent many a nights at eachothers houses while our parents would enjoy “wing nights”.  There was a lot of insane karaoke, hair-doing, and crazyness between Jenny, her brother, and my brother and myself (and a few others!) for years.  Then we all grew up (she’s a DOCTOR now!) and had our own activities to keep up with and life just happened.  I’ve had a lot of jobs or even just run-in’s with long lost child hood/high school/college friends and lately, they have just been such a pick-me-up.

Our lives may have went on in bewteen the times that we were in touch on a more regular basis…

…but it is always so cool to meet up with the people who, in one way or another, shaped who you became.

xo

dani

Courtney + Nic =)

Jr. High is where it all began, and I’m glad Courtney came up with the idea of going up Croghan to the middle school.  The for sale sign on the wall tells what condition it is in – the new school is being built right now.  A lot of people have memories here, and it’s kind of neat they returned to where they first started dating for a picture before it is no more.

Some annual Maggie & Cooper for you =)

Mike+Mindi

Wouldn’t have known the day we took these it was in the 60′s all day then magicly dropped to what felt like 20 degrees at 4:45 – but the sunlight left nothing but pretty warmth. Lucky us!  Actually, lucky Mindi – Mike’s a keeper!

<3

That’s all… have a great weekend, everyone!

xo

dani