Since they have a “Motown” theme for their wedding we decided to hit several “icons” of Detroit to capture  a piece of Detroit for their big event. We had lots of fun and got some great images!

**crickets**

LOL! So, just trust me…. alleys offer the most interesting and ,ahem, urban scenes and backdrops for images! I love the juxtopositon of the funky and harsh against the pretty and dainty. If anyone could pull off making an alley look interesting, it’s Ericka!

So, can you BELIEVE this woman has 3 kids???? No, neither could I when I met her! But she has three wonderful boys, one of whom just went off to college! I did a “mom & son” shoot for them as well, so those pics are forthcoming too!

Take a peek!

We had a ball and unlike shoots past, we even got Mom & Dad to take a few shots!!

Fun Times! Here’s a sneak peek!!!

I also met her hubby to be at that time as well and KNEW I’d have a ball photographing them because he is crazy!!! He was razzing me from the FIRST time he met me, but I saw the “big ole teddy bear” that lied within

So, when the big day came, I told the bride ”I am soooooooo happy!!” She asked “why?” I said, “Because you CAN’T tell me NOT TO TAKE PICTURES OF YOU!!”….. to which she laughed and scrunched up her nose at me!  No matter,…. I got my just revenge

Take a peek below!  LOL

Just a quick collage of the images that I shot for them!

It’s a true blessing and I am thankful for her. So, when she called me and asked me to take some pics of the girls, I was more than happy to oblige!

Their middle names are not “Mae” either That was my little spin I put on their names and the funny thing? Now Maya apparently calls herself “Maya Mae”! LOL

I love it!

Take a peek at our session!

He is a character and would NOT let us get ANY really GOOD pictures until my son came down (who is almost 7). He LOOOOOOOVES my son and when my son is there, it’s ALL about him! It’s like no one else exists when he is around!

We got better images in 5 minutes than we did in 30, once he came.

Hmmmm…. maybe I need to employ him and up his allowance! LOL

Take a look!

One of my favorite parts and the most educational to boot, was the **SURPRISE** early morning photoshoot hosted by Zack & Jody Gray of Gray Photography. When I tell you I LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVE them, well….. their pictures speak for themselves and their personalities along with their kind hearts speaks even more! They are a husband and wife team from Nashville, TN and along with their good friends and AWESOME videography couple Heather and Eugene Brown of 2duce2 Videography made the shoot a blast!

So, when I got the email that was sent out to JUST the 30 or so folks who were quick with the fingers on registration day for the conference, I was so stoked! Then I read that it was going to be at 5:15 AM I was like ”’oh boy…. am I even gonna have ONE EYEBALL open at that time???” LOL Then I remembered, that I had time on my side. Because 5:30am is like 8:30am Detroit time, I sighed a bit of relief. This was a once in a lifetime chance to see how Zack & Jody do a few of their techniques up close and personal! And I for one was NOT gonna miss that!

So, the night before the event, Jody send out an email letting us know the plan for the shoot, where to meet,etc and also to “dress appropriately….”. Uh-oh. That funky feeling came back that said “I only have a little FLEECE jacked in my suitcase….. not my big Winter-in-the-midwest coat”. I quickly dismissed that and said “oh well….. ” and put on about 3 layers including the ONE sweater I brought up under that jacket and it was well worth the effort.

Take a look at the images that I captured IN CAMERA below. The only thing I did is pop the blacks a little in post editing. I love Zack & Jody! **MUAH!** And I will be attending one of their seminars.

Take a look at my photos from this shoot below!

I hope to be inspired, educated and have some fun while I am at it! This is a convention where 16,000 photographers from all parts of the world come to learn and play over a 7 day period. I however will only be here for 5 of those days. Last year was my first time coming to the event and I tell ya…. for someone who eats, sleeps & breathes photography, this was AWESOME!!!!!

I have also signed up for some awesome Master Classes (these are classes that are above and beyond the classes that come with the registration and are small….like 25… in class size, thereby giving you more one-on-one attention). I signed up for 4 of them! I’m so excited!!!! I have Marketing Classes, Lighting Classes , Inspirational Classes and not to mention the various parties and speakers that are sprinkled throughout the tradeshow.

I plan to come back from this conference and take my business to a new level. Let’s go.

We’ve know each other since Freshman year in high school to be exact and he is as HILARIOUS now as he was then (even more so I think personally!). Well, the funny thing is that he didn’t come to me becuase he knew me, he and his now wife Deidre went to a coordinator and the coordinator led them to me! So it was funny when she said “I think the groom KNOWS you”. I was thinking “uh oh…. is this god or bad…LOL”. But it was all GOOD!

I was so excited and happy for him and when they booked me! Take a peek at the engagement pictures below and I PROMISE that a “sneekpeek” of the wedding photos are coming SOON!!