Priya + Raj : : Married!

On Friday, Jen, Darrin and I rocked Priya and Raj's fabulous wedding all day long (and I do mean all day...16 hours!). It was an incredible day full of celebrating, beautiful color, and most importantly, Raj and Priya's love for each other.

Look for a preview post later this week!

The Johnson's : : Family Session

: : When planning for this session, Lisa had just one requirement...snow : :
: : As of this morning, there was none and we almost rescheduled the session : :
: : At noon, the snow came, and Lisa was one happy mom! : :
: : I've been taking Eli's pictures since he was a newborn almost three years ago now : :
: : Eli is always such a ham in front of the camera. Love this little one! : :

Thankful

As I sat around the Thanksgiving dinner table with my family I was reminded again of all that I am thankful for. I hope all of you had an amazing holiday and that everyone had a chance to reflect on all that we are blessed with each and everyday.

: : My adorable mom and Tanner. She's going to kill me for posting this : :

: : My contribution to dinner...Godiva chocolates and fancy cheeses : :

Priya + Raj : : Mendhi/Sangeet Party

I am feeling bad about neglecting my blog this week so thought I would give you a little sneak peak into the ceremony that Jen and I photographed last night for Raj and Priya at Crossroads Banquet Center. Their big day is Friday, and Jen I will all be there to photograph the celebration!

The party was full of dancing, food (oh the food!), and celebration.

Enjoy the pictures and Happy Thanksgiving!

: : The colors everywhere were totally amazing. Below is one of their friends who performed a dance for Raj and Priya : :

: : The girls were lining up for the mendhi application. Completely amazing to watch! : :

: : Raj and Priya enjoying a moment alone : :

: : This is what is used to apply the henna during the mendhi application : :

: : Jen and I didn't want to miss out on the fun and had some applied as well! : :

Michele + Steve : : Engaged!

: : Michele and Steve's shoot was one I've long been looking forward to! : :
: : Michele and I have been friends since grade school and I couldn't be more excited for her and Steve to be getting married next June : :
: : I get to be in their wedding! As the Maid of Honor! : :
: : I traveled out to their new house for their session today : :
: : We walked through muddy and snowy fields but had some great locations to work with : :
: : Despite Steve not loving having his picture taken, I think he enjoyed it more than he let on : :
: : They had Jules, their English Mastiff, along for the pictures : :
: : I love sessions with dogs : :

: : Jules! : :

Amanda + Rob : : Preview Gallery!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

: : Amanda and Rob were married at Hillcrest CRC in Hudsonville : :
: : Their wedding had a fun vibe about it all day long and the reception was full of laughter : :
: : After the ceremony, there was a double rainbow outside! Beautiful! : :
: : Amanda had totally fabulous shoes. All the way from Arizona : :
: : I learned what the napkin song was at the reception : :
: : Despite the cold and windy November day, Amanda and Rob had the perfect wedding day : :

: : The church set up a cookie table for after the wedding ceremony : :

Little Abigail : : Six Months

: : Earlier this week I got to see little Abigail again...now six months old! : :

Amanda + Rob : : Married!

Amanda and Rob were married on Saturday in Hudsonville, MI with a reception following at the stately Sunnybrook Country Club. Even though Amanda decided to forgo wearing the fabulous peacock feathers she wore last month, she and Rob looked absolutely stunning. It was an incredible day and you'll want to check out their preview gallery later this week!

The Pendock's : : Family Session!

: : Thursday evening one of my favorite families came in to visit me at the studio : :
: : The girls were all dressed adorably : :
: : And little Andrew was rockin' out the winter wear : :
: : When Katelyn and Sarah step into the studio, they are always full of ideas and smiles : :
: : Makenna is my little assistant and helped me make her little brother laugh : :
: : All together what an amazing family they make : :

: : This kid came with an arsenal of adorable hats! : :

The Rapelje's : : Family Lifestyle Session!

: : Yesterday afternoon I met the Rapelje clan at Riverside Park for their family session : :

: : What I saw upon arriving was the beautiful willow trees and the serene water : :
: : What the boys saw was a playground! : :
: : Instead of fighting them tooth and nail for a few minutes of time for a family picture, we took their cues and let them play. That's what they do! This is their life together : :
: : I happily documented that time together as a family. To watch the boys play
and interact and enjoy life : :

: : Twins! : :

Holiday Cards Now Available!

For a short time, I am offering these fabulous holiday cards with the above holiday templates! Orders must be submitted to me no later than December 1. If you are interested in your custom holiday card, email me for more information at amy@acarrollphotography.com.

Can you all really believe it's time to start thinking about this already?! Time to plan Tanner's Christmas outfit for his holiday card picture!

The Scherzer's : : Family Session

: : Yesterday afternoon the fabulous Scherzer family joined
me downtown for their family session : :
: : I've known Shari since we were in high school : :
: : Shari is my friend Mary's older sister : :
: : Despite the chilly temps, these kids rocked it out! : :

Fabulous Vendor : : Captured Productions!

Last month I had the pleasure to meet and work with the awesome videographer team of Aaron + Renee of Captured Productions. I knew them from the world of Twitter, and was excited to have the chance to work with them at Amy + Chad's October 11 wedding at Camp Blodgett.

I had been eagerly awaiting the video trailer featuring this event and today Aaron emailed me to say it was posted. I was SO excited and love how it came out. If you are still debating on whether or not to hire a videographer for your wedding, maybe this trailer will help in your decision!

Be sure to check out their other work as well. I'm guessing they will be booking up their 2009 season quickly so if you're interested in booking them, give them a call!

Tara + Matt : : Preview Gallery

Saturday, November 1, 2008

: : Tara and Matt were married at St. Gerard in Lansing, MI : :
: : The reception was at the beautiful Eagle Eye Golf Club : :
: : Tara wore the same necklace her mom did on her wedding day : :
: : Tara and Matt were all smiles, all day : :
: : They met while attending Lansing Catholic. We drove there during our time taking pictures after the ceremony to get some pictures where it all began : :
: : In lieu of a guestbook, they had a handmade quilt in their wedding colors that the guests signed and put their well-wishes on. So unique and so beautiful! : :

: : Matt put together a spectacular array of gifts for Tara to open on the morning of their wedding. There were lovely gifts, such as pearl earrings and the salt and pepper shaker set from their china, but he also had a sense of humor with some of the gifts. Their first date together was to the movies and Matt forgot his money so Tara had to pay for the whole date. They can now call it even : :

Behind the Scenes:
Angie and I look a lot alike from the back don't we?

Drew : : Senior Session

: : Drew is a senior at Flushing High School in Flushing, MI : :
: : Drew is one well-rounded and talented guy...he plays hockey, sketches, is into photography, reads, plays drums, sings, and models : :
: : I lied on the modeling. Although I think he could if he wanted to : :
: : Drew is little brother to Hadaas, one of my brides from last summer : :
: : Hadaas and their mom were on hand for wardrobe and fashion advice : :
: : I left today's session feeling blessed to do what I do. Today's session rocked! : :

: : As we were walking back to the studio, Drew grabbed a few shots of a back allyway we were shooting in with his own camera : :

: : Hi Hadaas! Take a picture of me taking a picture of you! : :

Drew, you were a pleasure to work with. Hope your team won tonight!

Little Gabriel : : Children's Session

: : Gabriel first visited my studio last November for his Christmas picture : :
: : Gabriel, like most two year old's, was more interested in playing than sitting for the camera : :
: : So we played! : :
: : The picture below was me and Gabriel's parent's favorite picture from last year : :

Through My Lens : : Career Day

For the second year in a row, I was invited to speak about my career in photography with a group of students from a local high school. This year I decided to engage my audience with a little participation during our time together, and let a few of the students act as models and photographers and set up their own shoots. I think a few of them learned that it's not always as easy as it may seem, but they aced the challenge perfectly.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed speaking with these wonderful students and hopefully giving them a little perspective into how rewarding it is to have an occupation where you get to work your passion everyday.

Amber was the photographer here with her model Trish.
Wendell set up this shot with Mandi and her friend.

And I pulled a quick shoot here with my volunteer model Karen.


Thanks again guys! I was completely honored to have the opportunity to talk with all of you!

The Snyder's : : Family Session!

: : This afternoon I headed out to the farm to photograph the adorable Snyder family : :
: : I got to pet horses, dogs and run around with two-year-old Aleigha. A perfect afternoon in my book! : :
: : Fun fact: Jesse, Aleigha's dad, is my friend Shannon's kid brother, whom I've known since he was quite small. It's so fun to see him grown up and with such a beautiful family : :
: : Aleigha loves horses and called them all by name : :
: : During the shoot, I was nibbled on by a horse. Occupational hazzard : :
: : Once again we were blessed by perfect weather and amazing light : :

: : Stephanie and Jesse deserved to have a mini-sesh to themselves : :

: : Sugar and Spice, this one : :

: : Horses happen : :

: : At the end of our session, Aleigha demanded that she get to wear mommy's shoes : :

: : And walked proudly, and amazingly well, in them : :

: : Jesse my friend...you're in trouble with this one! : :

The Stratings : : Family Session!

: : Yesterday afternoon the totally fabulous Strating family met me downtown for an urban family session : :
: : Jack was his usual adorable self : :
: : Julie had her family styled perfectly : :
: : We relished in the 70 degree weather : :

The Hansen's : : Family Session!

: : This family session was a gift to this family's amazing parents : :
: : We had seriously a PERFECT fall day for this family! : :
: : You may remember little Lauryn in these pictures : :
: : Getting three toddlers to simultaneously look at a camera is as tough as it sounds : :

Jammie + Aaron : : Engaged!

: : Jammie and Aaron showed up for their session dressed to the nines and looking fabulous : :
: : They are getting married next summer and their wedding is one I am greatly anticipating! : :
: : For the park portion of their session, their dogs Chief and Charlie joined the fun : :
: : Our weather was perfect and had amazing fall color, just want Jammie wanted : :

Dylan : : Part Two

Dylan was just in the studio last week, but because his outdoor session was rained out twice in a row, we grabbed a quick session to enjoy the fall colors on Friday afternoon. Dylan was as cute as ever!

Tara + Matt : : Married!

Congratulations to Tara and Matt, who were married today at St. Gerard in Lansing, MI. Look for their fabulous preview gallery later in the week!