Kyle + Suzy: Engaged

December 20, 2011

As the year draws to a close, I've been looking back on a lot of things that this year meant to me. And I've also been looking forward to what 2012 will bring as well. It's exciting to be able to grow a business from the ground up, and while doing it, make people happy. It really adds another level of importance to the work I do. I am very excited to so far have NINE weddings booked for 2012, and hopefully there will be more to come! I truly love my couples, and I love being able to give them what they are looking for on their wedding day.

It's been almost  a month an a half since I had some real photography work, and I was more than thrilled to be getting to do TWO engagement sessions the week before Christmas. Those out-of-town couples are heading back home, so you have to work with that schedule. Not a problem for me.

Kyle and Suzy were first up this week. Suzy is another alumni of my high school. Back when they were in middle school, her sister and mine were best friends... very creative (and somewhat hilarious) best friends, as Suzy and I discussed on the ride to our location. She met Kyle while the two of them attended grad school down in Indiana. She recently completed her Masters in music, and he is one semester away from earning his Doctorate. Impressive! We chatted all things wedding on our ride, and got a chance to catch up with Suzy a bit as well, which is always nice.

We started inside, but did most of our photos outdoors. It wasn't QUITE as chilly as it had been earlier, so we did all right, I think. Kyle and Suzy were both great sports while I got back into my "groove" as I like to call it. I love meeting couples that are obviously so perfect for each other. Kyle was so sweet with Suzy, and he's a wonderfully helpful guy. We had a fun time, and I'm now even more excited to be a part of their wedding this coming June. Congrats to the both of you on finding such a great match, and thanks for thinking of me!

^Hanging out by the fireplace. A real fire would have been nice!

^I had Kyle "squeeze" her. Quite a cuddle here!

^My new "&". I still love it, but I kind of forgot about it after this shot!

^We took the bulk of this shoot in my Great Aunt's backyard. I LOVE the birches!

^Apparently "owling" is a new trend? Haha.

^This has to be one of my faves. I just love the candid feel it has, and Suzy just looks so happy!

^Awwww!

^The way the bricks on the front step were placed gave this shot a false fish-eye look. Neat!

^We made our way to the Riverwalk for a few more shots before heading home...

^Thanks, Kyle and Suzy, for a great shoot! At least we know it will be warmer for the wedding!

Beautiful Brides of 2011

Here's to all the girls who chose me to be a part of their big day this year. Here are some of my faves from all the weddings I headed up throughout the year. Thanks again, ladies!

^Jennie married J'aime this year in my first out-of-state and first beach wedding this past September. Jennie chose her favorite color, blue, and J'aime's favorite, purple, for her bright and casual beach wedding.

^Whiteny got a gorgeous day for her early fall wedding in Septemeber, when she married Brandon. Browns and oranges were the fashion for the day, and we had lots of time for great photos down by the river after the ceremony.



^Cloudy skies and a little rain didn't stop us at Jenna's wedding to Charles in August. The lighting was perfection! And the bright yellow layer with black and white was just the way to get some bright color out of an otherwise flat lit day.

^Oh wow, was it hot for Candi and Paul's June wedding. She looked stunning, you'd never know it was in the upper 80s! Lots of purple accompanied them along with the heat, as well as a little class :-)

^My little sister, Kara, tied the knot with Dustin in September, where the showed off the fall colors before the leaves were ready to change in northern Michigan. While I wasn't the main photog, I put the D3 to work for portraits!

^My first May wedding featured the beautiful Monica, who married Duke despite the rain and mud. She chose to use bright oranges, which I am really into this year, for her bouquet and it really brightened up the drab weather that day.

^A little chilly but a beautiful day for Karla, when she married Chris. Fall was still in full swing even at the end of the month and the colors made for some great photos, even thougth it got dark before the couple shots were done.



^My cousin, Jessica, married Jason in October. Purple and black was the style they chose at a cute little location on the east side of the state. It was chilly and very breezy, but paired with her cathedral veil... amazing!



^Gull Lake was fabulous on Emily and Jon's wedding day in August. The day was sunny, the colors were bright. I loved the pink... and they gave me so much time to photograph. And to top it off, a sunset shoot really made my day!!!

Coming Up Roses: Spreading Good Cheer

My new tradition is doing some sort of photo giveaway around Chistmas time. This year's ideas was to hold a contest to give deserving parents-to-be free photo sessions to celebrate the birth of their newest family members! We had lots of nominations, and thanks to three fabulous judges (who knew nothing but the nominations about each of the Mommies), we have our winners. We actually had a tie for the top spot, but since I planned on two winners, I figured it was fate. Check them out below!

Maria

Maria was nominated by one of her good friends, Allie, who I've worked with a couple times in the past. She has a bit of a sad story leading up to her current pregnancy, and I think she is a very deserving choice! More about Maria and her baby-in-the-making.

Allie: "Maria has been one of my best friends for a long time now. She dated her boyfriend, Chad, for about six years before they got married a year and few months ago. They are such a sweet and loving couple, and also very hard-working. He works long days and sometimes nights. It depends, as his shift changes every few months. Maria works full time as well. She is always thinking about other people before hersle and rarely does any spoiling for herself. She does deserve to be spoiled because of how amazing, caring, and loving she is. This baby is extra special. They have been trying since the wedding. She was pregnant before but sadly has a misscarriage. They found out just the other day that they are having a little girl. Maria is so cute and just starting to show. She deserves pampering through photos for her and little baby McConnell!"

Katie Jo

I met Katie at shoot last year, and while that was the only time we've worked together, she has some amazing friends who were all about making sure she was recognized as someone who is going to be a great mother. Not one, but THREE people nominated Katie and her husband, Dave, for this honor. They also have a great story and definitely desever it as well! Thanks to Claire, Abby, and Missy for sending your nominations in. Without further ado, more about our second winner!

Claire: "Katie deserve this because she is a hard-working military wife. She got pregnant while her husband was home for his two week R-and-R and spent the first 4 to 5 months of her pregnancy without her husband. They are a young couple, just starting their family, and have just moved into their first house. Katie is very active in her church and community. She is extremely sweet and willing to help others whenever possible. She is an amazing woman who has done her part to serve our country as the wife of an American soldier."

Each of these ladies and their hubbies are first time parents and I am so excited to work with them. They each received a free maternity session, as well as newborn portraits, with more sessions at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months for their babies. They will also get a book of all the sessions after they are completed. A years worth of memories! Exciting.

Thanks also to our two runners-up, Stacy and Melissa, another couple of deserving moms who we will see more soon! Thanks to everyone who nominated and was nominated. It's going to be a year full of babies!

Mike & Jenna (yes, me!)

By Misty Minna Photography

Every now and then, I feel it's only fair that I get a chance to get in FRONT of the camera. Despite my boyfriend's obvious dislike for having his photo taken (you think he would have softened up with being around me for three years...), I decided we should have a session done for Christmas cards this year. My great friend and fellow fabulous photographer, Misty Minna, was happy to oblige me in my need for some of my own face time! She met us in Rockford, where we live and Mike's good ol' hometown and we wandered around for awhile in the FREEZING cold, looking for some great shots. I think we succeeded. Sure, I don't like the face I make most of the time, and you can totally tell Mike's not nearly as into it as I want him to be, but I think we're pretty darn cute anyway. Thanks again, Misty!

^I LOVE the brick on this building. One of my favorite places to shoot in Rockford!

^"Adoring" Mike, since he was pretty nice to me today! Haha.

^Love this crazy Christmas tree!

^Snuggles!

^We're not that big on the kissing in public thing, but I love this shot of the dam so... I'll share!

^My personal favorite :-)

^At least he can fake it, right??? :-)