These were shot out in Pinckney area on a Contax 645 and Holga 120 CFN. We had a great time driving around/shooting and enjoyed some great drinks in Dexter. The big print from this first image is Gorgeous! Its going to look so amazing in their house.

Such a fun engagement session with Julie & Eric. So we met up in Northville area so we could hit up some nice country settings and just as we are about to leave to start shooting….snap…I lock my keys in my car. I haven’t done this in years but thankfully my wife drove in from Dearborn to save the day. While waited I found out Julie and Eric are both rock climbers. So cool! Eric just did the East Butrress of Mt. Whitney in Fact. Which is not small feat. After our unplanned party in the parking lot we got to shooting. Julie and Eric went through about 3 outfits and our car was stuffed full of fun props as we raced around trying to beat the sunset. Good times.

About 2 years ago my two best friends and I decided we wanted to try to climb Mt Rainier. I honestly don’t know to this day who’s idea it was, or how it materialized into a serious idea but it did. So here i’ve been for almost two years planning this trip to climb rainier. All winter and Spring this last six months I’ve been training too – mostly with 40 pounds of weight on a stair climber. Well all the planning and training paid off because this July me and my two buddies made it the top. It was exhausting to say the least and I think the trip down was almost harder than going up. The journey starts in Paradise visitors center at 5200 feet and takes you 5000 vertical feet of snowy climbing up to Camp Muir. We spend roughly 2 days at Camp Muir acclimitizing to the almost 10,000 vertical feet and then went for the summit leaving at 1am. I was really nervous about the dangers ahead (seracs, ice fall, rock fall, crevasses, steep grades, other parties accidents, etc etc) but we took off. My nerves immediately went away during the first part of the climb because it was so beautiful. The moon lit most of the the mountain and the steady stream of headlamps lighting the path ahead was encouraging to beautiful too. Before I knew it we had crossed countless crevasses and we were at the top. Overall, I really enjoyed the challenge and motivation that this whole journey involved but I still have mix emotions about the dangers….I came across the quote by Chris Bonington in his book “Annapurna” that I think really makes sense though…

“When asked why I wanted to climb the south face of Annapurna, I am tempted to repeat Mallory’s famous answer, ‘Because it is there.’ This is both inadequate yet all-embracing. We climb for so many reasons: the joy of movement and muscular control up a steep face of rock or ice; the satisfaction of exploring new ground, even up a small rock face on the flanks of a hillside; and, perhaps even more important, of exploring one’s own reactions to new, at times exacting, experience. There is the sheer beauty and grandeur of the mountains, the sooting balm of solitude. And through it all, is the undercurrent of danger: for this is what climbing is all about – staking ones life on one’s judgement, playing the calculated risk. This doesn’t mean going blindly into danger, or seeking hazard for its own sake. The climber gains his satisfaction from going into a potentially dangerous situation but then, through his own skill and experience, renders it safe.”

A few shots on the way up.

Just before we started our hike and the glory summit shot. (I’m really not that chunky thats the 60 mile an hour summit wind pumping up my jacket:))

So mid June of this year on a beautiful Saturday morning I drove and drove and drove northwest to the Birch River lodge. In the middle of nowhere michigan I found the graveled drive and began meandering through pines and woods not knowing what to expect. Finally, I turned around a corner and there in the middle of nowhere is a log cabin for a King! I’d guess the spare no expense property was pushing 10,000 sq feet and the grounds were immaculate. The inside was amazing period. Seriously no one would ever in their life guess it was back there in the woods. Carolyn Hefner of the the China Closet did an unbelieveable job designing the event and it was quite a day. Once guests started arriving many decided to watch the event from the patio while others sat down on the enormous brick paved veranda/patio where Demetria and Jonathan would say their vows. After they jumped the broom the party really kicked off with a great toast from Dad and some amazing eats by lakeland catering. The venue really just flowed from one area into the next and we finally found ourselves enjoying outdoors cocktails near the tent as everyone danced the night away. What a wedding.

Reception & Ceremony: River Birch Lodge
Event Coordination: Carolyn Hefner of The China Closet
Invitations & Save The Dates: Joanne of Cartoleria through The China Closet
Band: Charles Anthony Band
Dress: Roma Sposa
Flowers: Ralph Bellisario of Bellisario Florist
Videography: Alex Bitoff of Fifth and Main HD
Lakeland Catering: Lakeland Manor

Demetrias Bridesmaids wanted to tease her a bit telling her now that shes married pretty soon shes gonna need these. One of the funniest moments of my wedding photography career bar none:)

The Desert table was amazing – The cheesecake was soooOooo good!

I love these expressions!

There was some great hat fashion at this wedding. I liked this fellow in the back though particularly.

A view of the ceremony area and back of River Birch Lodge.

Jumpin the Broom.

Demetria and Jonathan in front of the River Birch Lodge. I know this is random but I love the roof on this place!

Just showing off more of the River Birch Lodge awesomeness.

What a spread of food. Eat drink and be merry!

Cocktails and Dancing out in front.

The first dance. I like to really take advantage of all the white space in the tent.

A teary speech by the MOH.

I have no idea what was said hear but I think the body language says it all.

These guys could dance!

Some agressive “all the single ladies” at this one.

I just wanted to get one quick one out there from Greta and Matt’s amazing amazing amazing amazing wedding. I can’t wait to share images from their reception – it was totally luxe. Their sunday brunch on Grosse Ile would make Martha Stewart proud too. After the wedding we took a trolly around detroit. Matthew Greta and I spotted this back alley and dove in to take a look around. In this one creepy truck recieving area we found this beautiful light. I love this image and that suit! There will be more to come soon! Now i’m off to climb Mt Rainier!