one for the $$, two for the show…..

June 30th, 2009 , Posted in engagement

I have had so many fabulous engagement sessions….and this one was no less than perfect. What an adorable couple. These two are high school - or should we say elementary sweethearts….and how fun that Don actually proposed to her there!!! So to complete the grade school goodness, we HAD to shoot there! Then we headed to the beach where they spent alot of their summers…..

I went to pick out a bunch for the blog here…but after I watched the slideshow ~ with a brand spankin new song I grabbed from iTunes tonight ~ after downloading some more Michael Jackson songs ~ and I just fell in love with the whole stinkin thing and said ~ ” YES!! I am just posting the whole dang show!” so click on the picture below…wait a minute…and enjoy.

**Liz had her make-up done by Rachel over at Bobbi Brown…(her info in on my 2 cent page) thanks rachel**


5 comments. Click here to add yours.
  1. mindy @ STUDIO 6.23 wrote: fabulousness!!! and why are we still up? want to get some coffee today..... we will need it!! :) (06/30/09, 4:06 am)

  2. RyAnn wrote: Lisa - you are amazing! what a great story!! (06/30/09, 9:13 am)

  3. Samantha wrote: I love, the love! You took two of my "spots" LOL You were 2mins from my house! (06/30/09, 10:01 pm)

  4. Abby wrote: Holy Crap Lisa! These pictures are absolutely STUNNING! I can see why you couldn't pick a few favorites b/c they all were "favorite" material...I watched the entire thing with a smile and I don't even know these people! And the song just made the pics come to life...you are so talented! Makes me want to have you come take even more pictures of us like tomorrow! But we'll wait until Juliana is at least sitting up....we're probably your most annoying clients b/c we're always bugging you to update our pictures! You rock!!! (07/01/09, 6:42 pm)

  5. Jodi wrote: These are great! Love that juicy warm evening light! I hope it comes back soon, too! (07/01/09, 11:52 pm)

billy & jess….married

June 20th, 2009 , Posted in wedding

What a fun wedding with unending amounts of great friends and family surrounding them. Billy was totally different than his engagement session…and completely himself! Jess was amazingly beautiful…I always take a few face shots of all of my brides near a window and when I had finished a series there for her - as she gets up she says “did you get anything?” are you kidding me??? how could I not?! Her bridesmaids - had the most fabulous *glamorous* dresses and *sweet* zipper heels…who could ask for more??? We found some really fun places to shoot on our trip on the party bus *including inside a private airplane hanger! Then headed over to the country club where we were greeted with our very own home made jar of salsa, 4 different types of food stations to choose from, and light pouring in from the giant windows on their celebration. Congratulations you two & enjoy some of my favorites in you preview!


2 comments. Click here to add yours.
  1. Jess wrote: Oh my Goodness, LIsa! They turned out awesome! I can't waity to see the rest...YOU ROCK!!! (06/20/09, 9:16 pm)

  2. Salina Washington wrote: Jess...your photos are breathtaking!!! I love, love, love the black and white picture of you and Billy in the alley. I can't wait to see your album. (06/23/09, 3:42 pm)

paul & adria …engaged

June 15th, 2009 , Posted in engagement, wedding

A seriously adorable couple inside and out….I really enjoyed their interaction, and natural ability to be comfortable in their own skin. Their wedding is in only a week!! I can’t wait - - enjoy my faves! here is their slideshow **click here**


3 comments. Click here to add yours.
  1. RochelleH wrote: Beautiful Lisa! love, love, love the bleacher ones! (06/15/09, 9:17 pm)

  2. ben @ STUDIO 6.23 wrote: umm....in that first picture, it says "no trespassing." lisa, were you breaking the law :) haha. great pics. feels VERY natural! beautiful. (06/16/09, 9:11 am)

  3. Amanda wrote: Beautiful! (06/19/09, 1:23 am)

just a few words….

June 12th, 2009 , Posted in family

I received Shauna Niequist’s package of books for my give away, in the mail today….so if you were one of the first five - please email me your address and I will get it out to you on Monday. It is now 4:16 am…yes, really. Some of you may know ~ if you’re a facebook friend…that my 10yr anniversary to my hubby Tim is this weekend and we’re throwing a fabulous party downtown GR tonight…in about 14 hours. I have been running errands, editing, baking (tim and friends included) making crazy decor items, and celebrating birthdays…none the less it’s been a crazy few days. So, before I snuggle into bed here, I decided I deserved just one chapter of my newly arrived book…just one.

Shauna ~ you have a gift. I needed your book. It hit the nail on the head…in just that first chapter, I could hardly finish the last paragraph, seeing through the tears welling up. I was trying to pick out a quote to give you a glimpse of what what was speaking to me…but as I re read it, I can’t narrow it down to a quote, it’s not one line that hit me, it’s the whole chapter….it speaks so much truth. I plan on writing much more as I journey through this book. I will leave you with some bit of quoted inspiration from this first glorious chapter, as it will not be the last.

“Your life, right now, today, is exploding with energy and power and detail and dimension, better than the best movie you have ever seen. You and your family and your friends and your house and your dinner table and your garage have all the makings of a life of epic proportions, a story for the ages. Because they all are. Every life is.”

Thank you Shauna for sharing your gift with us….it will no doubtably change lives.

3 comments. Click here to add yours.
  1. Tracy Myers wrote: Hi Lisa, I was lucky enough to be in the first five so I will email you my address shortly. I hope you have a wonderful anniversary and I hope you can squeeze some sleep in too. Take care and thank you so much!! Tracy (06/12/09, 7:44 am)

  2. mindy @ STUDIO 6.23 wrote: 'you can dance, you can jive.... having the time of your life. ooooohh, oooh...ooooo. see that girl, watch that scene, digging the dancing queen!!! friday night and the lights are low..... looking out for a place to go.' that's right... i'm practicing my moves for tonight. CAN'T WAIT!!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TIM + LISA!!!! :) much love! xoxo (06/12/09, 11:28 am)

  3. Jill Young wrote: Congrats on your anniversary!!! I have not heard about this book before you posted about it on your blog. I was at my MIL on Wednesday and she has it. She is loaning it to me when she is done reading it! Thanks and have a GREAT time tonight! (06/12/09, 12:07 pm)

Aaron & Holly 4.25.09

June 10th, 2009 , Posted in wedding

What an adorable couple!! Aaron & Holly won “me” from a contest on Jen’s blog a year ago. What a gracious, vivacious personality Holly has…you should see all the faces I caught from her the whole day! Aaron is incredibly sweet and so in love with her…you two were meant to be together! Here are just a few I picked out before I move onto a whole night of editing! It rained for most of the day, except for a small window during the reception, where I whipped them outside for a few! So glad I met you two and I really enjoyed being apart of your day!


4 comments. Click here to add yours.
  1. Michelle@Memorable Events wrote: That ring shot is awesome!! (06/10/09, 7:20 am)

  2. Regina wrote: Um that ring shot is so on mark! Love it! (06/10/09, 7:50 am)

  3. RyAnn wrote: They all look wonderful and I have to agree with the above - the ring shot is AMAZING! (06/10/09, 8:23 am)

  4. Holly De Witt wrote: You make us look good! These are all in my top faves too - especially where Aaron is pulling that face at me! Thank you again... recommending you to all my engaged friends ;) (06/12/09, 12:42 pm)

new baby Miles….

June 5th, 2009 , Posted in babies

Miles was hands down ~ the most well behaved newborn to date! He was only 5 days…and I know that was the best thing he had going for him! He gave me eye contact, he didn’t complain when we moved him….I asked if they drugged him! They have the biggest great dane I have ever seen…and the pictures do not even do him justice…look closely at the size of his head compared to dad…that should speak for how big his body really is! I love the picture below with one eye looking at me - as if to say - “is she gone yet?” nope…still snappin! enjoy this adorable little man.


1 comment. Click here to add yours.
  1. Heather wrote: In the last picture... his eyes and lips seem to be saying "I will get out of this blanket... I will, I will..." (06/06/09, 2:17 pm)

cold tangerines…

June 4th, 2009 , Posted in babies, bellies, family, kids

So there is a book, I have been meaning to read, many of my friends have read it and loved it. They say it’s real. inspiring. and a fabulous read. I don’t read books. My parents had to force me to read when I was little….I just couldn’t sit still that long. I’m a magazine reader….I hardly give myself time to read books anymore, and it’s a shame…. So after seeing Shauna’s blog, I knew it was time to read it. In celebration of this milestone for myself….I am giving away 5 free autographed books to the first five comments on this post! I wish I could grab the intro and paste it here….but instead I’ll leave a link to her site where you can read a chapter.

Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist….http://www.shaunaniequist.com/

14 comments. Click here to add yours.
  1. Kari wrote: I am in the middle of reading this too...it is fabulous so far!! (06/04/09, 10:20 am)

  2. RyAnn Flood wrote: This is so funny - because one of the yoga teachers at my studio was just telling me about this book :) It was so great to see you last weekend for TRASH THE DRESS :) Justin and I had a blast! Thank you! (06/04/09, 10:23 am)

  3. Fabiana wrote: Sounds like a book I could benefit from. I too am a "magazine reader". When I do take the time to read a book, I enjoy it. Problem is, I never make the time to actually do it. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE books on tape (or CD's) because you can multi-task. What a cool offer you're making. Thanks! (06/04/09, 10:28 am)

  4. Kelly Braman wrote: Ooh~I am excited to read this! Thanks for sharing, Lisa!:) (06/04/09, 10:29 am)

  5. Tracy Myers wrote: I've heard of this book as well and like you, don't give myself anytime to read. I think it's about time I slow it down a little and take a little time to be refreshed and inspired. It's good for the soul. :) Hope all is well with you, Lisa. Thanks again for the amazing workshops! I hope I can shoot and shadow with you sometime in the future!! (06/04/09, 10:32 am)

  6. Jen Rottluff wrote: I didn't make it into the "first 5" but wanted to post anyway! This book is amazing and everyone should read it! Shauna...you're a fabulous writer. I'm not a reader either but I loved this book...it made me laugh and cry. :) (06/04/09, 10:44 am)

  7. linda wrote: Hey! Its a great book! I have read lots of it. Very real. Shauna is great. (06/04/09, 10:51 am)

  8. Lydia wrote: never heard of it lisa...what is it about? (06/04/09, 11:46 am)

  9. RochelleH wrote: I'm bummed I wasn't quicker on this :) But thanks for the book recommendation. Can't wait to read it! (06/04/09, 11:48 am)

  10. Heather wrote: The most memorable book I read all last year. I don't read a ton... but this was with me everywhere I went until I finished it. Thanks for promoting it Lisa! I hope you enjoy it. ;) ~H (06/04/09, 12:43 pm)

  11. Anne wrote: I LOVE THIS BOOK! Lisa - I'm so bummed you missed this. Shauna was at the MomsInC. Christmas Party! I can totally relate to her and all of the things in this book and feel like I need to read it about once every 6 months to remind myself what's REALLY important! Thanks for spreading the word about this AMAZING book! :) (06/04/09, 9:20 pm)

  12. maggie wrote: Love this book! This is my kind of writing! (06/06/09, 9:38 am)

  13. Christina wrote: Lisa...it is so great to hear that you don't read either! I can't get into reading...I have literally probably read 15 books cover to cover in my whole life, and that includes books I had to do book reports on in school! BUT...Cold Tangerines was recommended to me a year or so ago by a good friend, and I actually read it, and LOVED it. I actually read through it in a week, which for me, is amazing. I actually may read it again...I liked it that much. :) (06/11/09, 5:18 pm)

  14. Christina wrote: Wow...could I have said "actually" one more time in that last comment? haha (06/11/09, 5:18 pm)

Dylan & Jeni….engaged

June 3rd, 2009 , Posted in engagement, wedding

I can’t wait to shoot their wedding in August! I can just tell that it’s going to be fabulous….
I met them to shoot, down in St. Joseph, MI at Kilwins (it’s her aunt’s store) and had the most amazing ice cream flavor *toasted coconut* which is packed full of yumminess! They grew up in the area and are high school sweethearts~ how cute is that?! I really enjoyed touring around town with you two! Can’t wait until August!


1 comment. Click here to add yours.
  1. Rose wrote: Love the set of pictures on the dock! Actually, all of the shots are SUPER CUTE! :) (06/03/09, 7:37 am)

shopping cart : check….

May 26th, 2009 , Posted in kids

So, I have a little list of things that I would love to photograph…and alot of them are crazy and some of you would never go for them…so I just have to wait…shooting someone (not a bride-it’s been done) in a shopping cart…in an alley, is on my list…well - CHECK it off!

How else do you get 8 kids to site still…confine them! …one of my faves……


4 comments. Click here to add yours.
  1. Regina wrote: I fricken love it! This is awesome! Print it and put it in the studio! Happy Birthday too! (05/26/09, 12:30 pm)

  2. mindy @STUDIO 6.23 wrote: wow..... yeah. that ROCKS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, DEAR FRIEND!!!!! xoxoxo (05/26/09, 12:40 pm)

  3. Heather wrote: Totally rocks birthday girl. If I didn't know better, I'd be worried about this mother of all these kids... :) (05/26/09, 7:44 pm)

  4. Andy wrote: What about shooting two men in wedding dresses in a trashy fence lot? Lots of make-up. Now that... would be great. We could even get in a shopping cart if need be. (05/31/09, 6:33 am)

nathan & ashleigh..part 2

May 13th, 2009 , Posted in wedding

Things I have learned from destination weddings…you truly will have the best, stress free, memorable wedding you could ever imagine…and everyone gets a fabulous vacation! Seriously ~ I don’t think any bride who chooses it this way ever regrets it. I am honored to have been included! Connie of Elegant Banff Occasions was the most organized planner I have ever seen…which is why maybe everything went flawlessly and stress free! Please call her if you’re even thinking about going there. We all stayed at the Fairmont in Lake Louise, which is about 45 minutes north of Banff ~ another fabulous town. It was gorgeous and I am definitely going back. There were so many awesome photos, and really hard to choose as usual…but this was the first official wedding I have ever shot strictly by myself…I think I faired well~ Enjoy these luxurious images….I really hope I can see you all of you again at the local reception this weekend! **huge 400+ slideshow**


3 comments. Click here to add yours.
  1. Jill Young wrote: Amazingly beautiful! I have told so many people that if I were to go back in time, you would have been the one to shoot our wedding! (05/14/09, 6:57 am)

  2. christina wrote: Lisa...some of your best work, for sure! I don't want to sound dramatic...but some of these photos literally took my breath away! Just gorgeous! (05/17/09, 12:43 pm)

  3. roxanne wrote: Stunning. There are no other words. What a wonderful lifetime memory of a fairytale wedding. Congradulations to Ashleigh & Nathan, may you be always be blessed in your hearts with love, faith & kindness. (06/03/09, 9:22 am)