Let’s talk about Anniversary Sessions for a second. These sessions are a beautiful gift to each other to celebrate the years you have shared together. If the newlywed season has just passed and you’re celebrating your first or second year married. If you’re ten, fifteen or twenty years in. If you have children especially. When is the last time you had a loving portrait taken of the two of you to celebrate your relationship and the fact that you still say yes. When is the last time, parents, you posed for a portrait while you squeeze your mate tight and not just because you were being pictured with the kids? Celebrate your love and have pictures made that consist of more than you licking birthday cake off your finger in the background.

Carrie and Jon decided to do just that and we met for their Wayne State University Anniversary session. Carrie and Jon both attended Wayne State and spend time with their children checking out all that Detroit has to offer. I loved the same architecture that made them both want to shoot there, the light was so perfect and the evening was beautiful.

When Michael and Sarah were planning their wedding they told me they had a friend who was new to the photography world. She was a portrait photographer looking for wedding experience and was hoping I would be okay with allowing her to tag along on their wedding day. What I said was ‘yes’. But in my mind I was rolling my eyes and thinking ‘oh dear, Lord’. I have since shared this with Carrie so it’s ok for me to air it. I waited and waited and waited as the months leading up to Michael and Sarah’s wedding passed and neglected to look her up or check out her work. So four to six weeks before their wedding, when I finally did look Carrie up, I kicked myself because her work is so lovely. Carrie did help out on their wedding day which can be seen, HERE. And since then we have been shooting weddings together. She snuck in and put a stamp on my heart. She is easily one of the funniest human beings I have ever met. Not only do I love working with her, I just love being around her. Jon is also lovely and patient as I have been giving him crap about their upcoming move.

Jon has been in medical school for the last decade + and has recently taken a position that is everything he has worked so hard for. There is so much for these two to celebrate beyond another anniversary. While Jon sacrificed hours and hours year after year in med school, Carrie sacrificed much also. Although I can promise you I have never heard her utter a single word to indicate that she sees any of it as a sacrifice. I kind of like hanging out with my husband. I also found the years when our children were toddlers to be some of the most challenging. Those are the things Carrie sacrificed. These are the years that Carrie and Jon celebrate. They celebrate the completion (for now anyway) of Jon’s education. They celebrate their marriage. They celebrate their children. Carrie has never complained about what could be long hours or weekends on call. She doesn’t take life or herself too serious. She is an incredible mom that truly cherishes the time she has with them. Half naked babies running through mud puddles is her favorite kind of day. I don’t know many people who cherish those tiny moments as much as Carrie does. After the move I will certainly miss having Carrie shooting with me. But beyond that, I will miss her. I’ll miss her laughter and sense of humor the most. But I know we won’t let an hour or two or three between us, prevent us for working together or visiting. Carrie you are officially one of my favorites and you know I don’t say that lightly ;).

To view recent engagement sessions, CLICK HERE!

To view recent weddings, CLICK HERE!