You deserve more than beautiful photos. You deserve to feel seen. In a season that can feel overwhelming, we bring peace, presence, and expert care.
At Kari Dawson + Co, we preserve what matters most: the quiet joy, the curated details, the squeeze of your grandma’s hand before the aisle. Our role is to carry the emotional weight so you can stay present in what this day is really about—love, legacy, and the people who made you who you are.
With calming presence, documentary intuition, and timeless editorial touch, we craft your moments with care. From the details you planned to the emotions you didn’t, we capture it all—so you can relive it for generations.
The calm you
didn't know
you needed.
The eye for
detail
you can trust.
Kari + co
MEet
kari + karli detroit wedding photographers
We’ve seen what endures. We’ve lived it across generations.
The “I still choose you” kind of love. The slow-dance-in-the-kitchen kind.
The kind that’s not perfect, but precious.
We show up to every wedding with a reverence for the sacred, the silly, and the slightly chaotic—in all the best ways.
we believe in lasting love
Between careers, relationships, and life's demands, we’ve lived full chapters—some tender, some painfully earned. We know what it’s like to plan something beautiful while holding real-life emotions behind the scenes.
That’s why we lead with empathy. And why you'll never have to fake a feeling.
A warm cup of coffee before the house wakes up. Walks in the woods. Lazy days at the beach. Warm fires under the stars. We believe in beauty woven into the everyday for the soul.
Because joy often hides in the quiet. In the inside joke, the windows-down song, the slow exhale that says, this is it.
we show up with softness
we savor the small things
The Story The Story
behind
Because your love story deserves to be witnessed by someone who gets it.
sarah + craig
she was the calm, confident guide who brought our vision to life. From her thoughtful planning tools to the joy-filled engagement session, every step felt intentional and easy. On our wedding day, her presence was both reassuring and uplifting, and the final gallery? Absolutely breathtaking. We didn’t just get photos—we got a trusted friend and memories we’ll cherish forever.
Kari wasn't just our photographer...
past clients
As told by
what you can expect
It’s about presence. It’s about being seen, known, and fully felt in a season that moves too quickly.
Your wedding isn’t just an event—it’s a tapestry of history, love, and hope, woven into one fleeting day. With a calm presence and intuitive eye, we preserve not just how it looked—but how it felt.
Our approach blends documentary honesty with editorial sophistication. The result? Imagery that’s light-filled, emotionally compelling, and artfully composed.
Our presence allows you to breathe, connect, and trust that the moments that matter won’t be missed.
This is for couples who value beauty in the everyday and want their story told like art. Our style is refined and editorial—but never detached. Every frame is chosen with care, every composition guided by your story.
We bring an eye for symmetry and soul—ensuring your images are emotionally resonant and visually iconic.
It’s about presence. It’s about being seen, known, and fully felt in a season that moves too quickly.
Your wedding isn’t just an event—it’s a tapestry of history, love, and hope, woven into one fleeting day. With a calm presence and intuitive eye, we preserve not just how it looked—but how it felt.
Our approach blends documentary honesty with editorial sophistication. The result? Imagery that’s light-filled, emotionally compelling, and artfully composed.
Our presence allows you to breathe, connect, and trust that the moments that matter won’t be missed.
This is for couples who value beauty in the everyday and want their story told like art. Our style is refined and editorial—but never detached. Every frame is chosen with care, every composition guided by your story.
We bring an eye for symmetry and soul—ensuring your images are emotionally resonant and visually iconic.
At Kari Dawson + Co, we believe wedding photography isn't about staged smiles.
a memory
LIVING
Not just how it looked — how it felt.
Named a Knot Hall of Fame Photographer, with features in Junebug Weddings, Carats & Cake, and celebrations at Planterra, Meadow Brook Hall, and private estates across Michigan.
Meet Karli — The Heart Behind the Lens (and the feels)
Karli is living proof of the love story I said “yes” to three decades ago.
She’s my daughter, my creative partner, and the clearest reflection of what I believe in most: that love endures—and that your story deserves to be captured with the same care.
She grew up watching weddings unfold from the inside out. Today, she brings that same intuitive presence—quietly observing and affirming the moments that matter most.
As a second photographer and assistant, Karli seamlessly blends artistry with authenticity. Her calm confidence ensures couples feel seen, celebrated, and at ease.
But what sets her apart? She’s a modern-day memory-keeper. Today, she brings that same intuitive presence—quietly observing and affirming the moments that matter most.
Working with Karli isn’t just a collaboration—it’s a shared devotion. Together, we tell stories that resonate deeply.
This isn’t just a job. It’s personal.
After over a decade photographing weddings, I still leave every celebration with a fresh sense of purpose. I’ve never tired of it. Never taken it for granted. Never considered it just a job.
I’ve stood where you stand—on the cusp of forever, where your marriage matters more than any centerpiece. Because when the last glass is emptied and the flowers fade, two things will remain: Your memories and your marriage.
My presence is quiet but attuned.
I believe in elegance, class, and being fully yourself. I keep a close circle of deep relationships, which means I pay close attention to the people I’m with—friend and client alike.
I’m the one who senses what’s needed. When to step back and let the moment unfold. When to gently step in and redirect. On your wedding day, that makes me your secret ally—tuned into every shift, freeing you to fully savor the ones you love most.
We’ve captured hundreds of stories side by side—but nothing compares to seeing her see people the way I do.
30 years later, I’m still in love.
I still remember our first dates—driving with Todd, praying he’d grab my hand, butterflies taking flight. After 30 years of marriage, he still wants to hold my hand. I’m still his favorite girl.
We married young—just 17 and 20. No honeymoon, a baby on the way, a mortgage at 19. But we grew up together. Built a home. Raised five extraordinary kids. And today, we still sneak away for date nights, surround ourselves with fiercely loyal family, and keep priceless friendships that remind us of what matters most.
This is the love I see in you.
From spending more than half my life with Todd, I’ve learned that love lives in glances. In the way you soften when you spot your person. In a shared laugh or a subtle touch. In the “you” moments you don’t realize you’re giving—until you see them in a photograph.
That’s the language I speak. And that’s the story I can’t wait to tell.
Because yes, your wedding day is about more than just the dress and a boujie party.
(Though don’t worry—we love boujie around here.)
More Personal
A bit
Our story shapes how we witness yours.
supported
sacred, seen, and beautifully
Let's make your day
feel
