Here is a teaser for this years trash the dress….more photos and video coming soon!

Everytime I go…I am just overwhelmed at the locations for shooting. In Grand Rapids…we do have some good spots..but everyone is using the same spots….because they’re aren’t that many….you all know that alley behind San Chez…that you see on everyones websites..I haven’t used that in a while just out of spite. This is Joe & Kristen…. they live in an amazing place with three levels, a rooftop patio with a view of the city, and adorable bulldog. **bunny trail** My husband and I have already decided when all the kids are gone, we’re moving to a big city before they all demand we have a kid proof house with a giant back yard and a blow up pool! Don’t get me wrong, I love being out in the country and quite and relaxation, but being in the city ~ it energizes me ~ nevermind the visual stimulation. **end of bunny trail** These two were so much fun…as you can see below, and are really in love with each other….and aren’t afraid to make out - awesome! They even took me out to dinner afterwards..which was fabulous - the head chef used to cater for Madonna - impressive…and really had time to talk. It was fabulous and wish I could get to know all my couples this well. Thanks again for reminding me how much I love the windy city….and would love to work there more. Here is my collage of favorites and because you probably would love to see more too…here is the link to their slideshow **click here**

They take a while to load…but totally worth it! Go get a drink and snack…and get ready for some visual goodies!

Here’s what they said…

Lisa:
Absolutely incredible. We had such an amazing time looking through them!!! It truly was like reliving the whole day all over again. When I was looking for a photographer, I wanted to find someone that could tell our story. You’ve done so much more than that. You captured every detail, every moment, every emotion. We cannot begin to thank you enough. I can’t wait to have you photograph our children (hopefully not for a few years though!). You are such a blessing to us, we are so thankful that we found you. You have a beautiful gift, and we hope you keep sharing it with the world - you make it a better place.

Keith & Amanda….

Matt & Jessica….

Here’s what they said..
Lisa~AmazING pics!!! Thank you!!! THANK YOU for sending the proofs and the slideshow…We appreciate all the time and effort you’ve put into our wedding! Also, many compliments come to you from Iraq, Matt and some of the guys watched the slideshow together and all were impressed!!!

Seriously ~ these children are adorable and as we were shooting, they were entertaining ME! That’s fun. These are the kids from the red couch on the opening photo on my portrait website. I proofed WAY too many pictures for their parents…but how can delete such cute little faces! Here are just a few of my favorites! I love the last group shots dearly…

Ok - so talk about feeling old…This man pictured below…there are pictures of me as a child…holding and feeding him a bottle as a newborn….and now he’s almost 20 and getting married…that’s crazy! Our parents go way back… Their wedding is Thanksgiving weekend, here are a few favorites from their engagement session…

Oh the VanderWerff family….

As many of you know, there are no “family galleries” on either of my websites… why - some of you ask…well, as a phtotographer, you need to be inspired to get fabulous shots, and well, families really don’t inspire me..mainly because everyone is looking for that perfect shot where everyone’s looking…and I don’t like those. BUT, with saying all of that…this family is an exception to that rule…I shot Jeff & Alyssa’s wedding last summer and just really enjoyed them. Jeff was just like I remembered - you know how you are. Thank goodness, Alyssa’s there to keep him in line! JoAnne (Jeff’s mom) is the nicest person you will ever meet, and look at the photo of her and her husband…are they cute or what? This family is in the apple business as well as a couple other crops. Most of their apples end up at Mcdonalds…my kids have those all the time. They even sent me home with a bag of apples straight off the trees we shot near…and you will be happy to know that I made a blue ribbon ~state county fair~ apple pie with those apples…even with a decorative crust! ok - so I really didn’t win an award…but my friends were impressed! Thanks a bushel - ok…enough with my silliness…here are a few of my favorite…

oh yea - i totally hope they use the pitch fork shot for their christmas card…I love that they went along with my crazy idea!

So I honestly admit…this photo’s exposure was a total mistake. There was an amazing scenery behind them…and I hadn’t changed my settings from the last spot….and this is what I shot….and then didn’t delete it - thank goodness…because WOW…I LOVE this photo. I know, I’m not caught up on the blog…but I’ll get there.

So….I usually try to keep my personal stuff off of the blog….but as life goes, it tends to spill over at some points, and this is one of them. My husband and I went to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to shoot a destination wedding and many of you have asked how our trip was…..as you can see below the resort was quite luxurious….although, our last day there, we spent visiting a little girl named Luisa, who we just started supporting through Compassion a few months ago. This was an amazing experience and deserved a slideshow with some compelling text. If it makes you uncomfortable….good, hopefully to take action. It surely has caused Tim and I to, again, rethink choices we’re making…..I would love your feedback - not on my photos….but on how this reforms your thinking. I hope to return soon.

*** CLICK HERE *** for the slideshow….

What a wedding filled with color and emotion! This was the first night, I will get the second ceremony up soon! A beautiful bride and fabulous henna, couldn’t photograph that enough! Enjoy your preview!