We’re getting ready for a very busy 2013 wedding season, but before we dive in next month, we have a great just-for-fun project we’ll be participating in for the second year.  Last spring, we had the opportunity to orchestrate several fashion shoots in conjunction with the Fashion on the Shore event sponsored by Shore Magazine, The Southwest Michigan Tourist Council, Harbor Town Interiors, Bistro on the Boulevard and the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center.  This Friday is the second annual Fashion on the Shore event which will showcase designs by emerging student designers from the fashion programs of a number of colleges throughout the midwest.

The May fashion event was followed by a gallery exhibit at the Box Factory for the Arts in August featuring photographs from our fashion shoots alongside some of the outfits modeled during the spring fashion show.  We’ll have another post soon regarding our studio’s recent move into the Box Factory third floor.  Some of the incredible models from the runway show also returned to model outfits from the show and some newer designs from some of the winning designers.

Both events were great to bring out local members of the arts and fashion community.  The Box Factory opening also provided an opportunity for my five-year-old daughter to try out her runway skills.  Perhaps she’ll be modeling in Fashion on the Shore show in 2025.

This Friday is the second annual Fashion on the Shore runway show.  Doors will open at the Heritage Museum and Cultural Center in St. Joseph at 5:30 pm and the reception and show start at 6 EST.  Tickets are $25 each with wine and hor d’oeuvres included.  Please call the Heritage Museum for tickets at (269) 983-1191.

We photograph a lot of weddings at Notre Dame.  I’ve been asked before if they get old or routine… and the short answer is “no”…. they could, however.  Being the type of photographer that I am, I do run the risk of getting bored photographing the same locations on a regular basis.  What keeps it interesting for me is seeking out alternate spots and interacting with our couples extensively to find out what makes their weddings and their relationships unique.  Christina showed up with nothing short of some of the most unique photography ideas we’ve had to date.  We started out the summer of 2011 with a super fun water skiing engagement session (I’ll post those later if I get the chance).  When reviewing the standard options for campus photos on the wedding day, “yawn” was Christina’s initial reaction.  We had a quick chat about the Michiana Figure Skating Club that she was an instructor for and that I also belonged to once upon a time which later led to our decision to seek out the possibility of renting ice time at the Compton Family Ice Arena.  Not only did ice skating with the entire wedding party turn out to be a great photo opportunity, but it was also a great way to cool down on a very hot July afternoon.

photos by Jennifer Mayo & Melissa Brentlinger

Check back soon for more pictures from Christina and Adam’s beautiful reception at the South Bend Double Tree Hotel.

photography : Jennifer Mayo Studios

floral & event coordination : Merry Me Events

dj : Pro Show

ceremony : Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame

reception : Double Tree Hotel, South Bend

Liz and John are a shining example of how a couple can bring their personalities and creativity to a photo shoot in order to make the photos their own.  Particularly in the age of social media, over-reproduction of the same locations, “concept” shoots and poses are prevalent .  What makes a photo unique, in most cases, are the subjects.  Five minutes into their engagement shoot, Liz and John were completely comfortable and had a blast just being their silly selves in front of the camera.  Couples who have worked with me in the past know that I direct as much as necessary, but those who are capable of relaxing and just being themselves, rarely need a lot of prodding on my end… and those usually end up being my favorite photos.

photos by Jennifer Mayo and Dan Terpstra

We’re pretty excited about Liz and John’s big day next week!  They have quite the documentary team assembled.  In addition to myself, Dan Terpstra of Terpstra Photography and Leda Vander Laan of LVL Photography, we have the pleasure of working with John Pottenger’s videography team from Coastline Studios.  Check back later this winter, we should have some great highlights to share!

Anne and Jonathan win the award for being one of our all-time funnest couples to work with.  Anne and Jon also hired me in a less-than-ordinary way.  I was photographing the Kalamazoo Wedding Affair for Kalmazoo and Grand Rapids Bride Magazine when Anne spotted me on the floor shooting some sort of detail from a strange angle with some off-camera flash.  We sparked a conversation about how her husband-to-be was an amateur photographer and that they were looking for just the right photographer capable of documenting their unique Western Michigan University ceremony (both were graduates Western’s engineering department) and Kalamazoo Air Zoo reception (and unique personalities!).  Needless to say, we were a perfect match.

We’re off to the Air Zoo again next week for a great engagement session with one of our 2013 couples having their wedding at the Veranda in St. Joseph, Michigan.

On June 18th last year, staff photographer, Melissa Brentlinger, and I had the opportunity to document the wedding of Michelle and Jeremy in downtown Chicago.  The ceremony at Assumption Catholic Church was followed by a lovely reception at Fulton’s on the River.  Floral design was provided by Dilly Lily and the party went strong well into the evening with the help of DJ Sarah Kohtala of Toast and Jam .

It’s so nice to get out from behind the computer a bit this week.  Wedding season takes off in another two weeks, but in the meantime, we’re having fun with some local Southwest Michigan engagement sessions.  Wednesday evening I had the opportunity to meet Bae and Ben at Ben’s parents’ farm in Eau Claire where the couple will be saying their I dos underneath a beautiful catalpa tree in early June.  As much as I love photographing weddings here in Southwest Michigan, my efforts to convince Australia native, Bae, to wed south of the equator were not successful.  The wedding and reception in the family’s barn nestled inside a charming orchard will, none-the-less, be lovely.  For any other Australian brides trying to decide between Australia or Michigan, keep in mind I have a passport

We finished up with a twilight shoot where the resident cat at the farm decided he wanted his picture taken too.  I’m told Carmello spends much of his time on the roof but no one really knows how he gets up there.  All the flashing lights must have intrigued him enough to come down and make an appearance.  It was a fun engagement shoot and I can’t wait to be part of the the festivities in early June.

We’re headed out for another e-session tonight, so check back soon for more highlights.

There was no shortage of fun-filled activities for Jessica and Marc’s guests to enjoy.  The reception was complete with carousel rides for all of their guests, cotton candy made on-site, a gelato cart, late-night pizza from Silver Beach Pizza and a photobooth.  The highlight of the evening, however, was a surprise special guest arranged by the bride.  Marc is a graduate of Michigan State and all of his family members were HUGE State fans.  The Michigan State mascot, Sparty himself, made a grand entrance mid-reception and spent several hours dancing with guests, squeezing into the photo booth and taking rides on the Michigan State carousel horse.  It was an evening not to be forgotten by all who attended.

Reception Venue : Shadowland Ballroom

Event Coordination : Stella Event Design

Floral Design : Crystal Springs

DJ : Blake Eckelbarger, The Music Place

Lighting Design : Mod Events

Photobooth : Mod PhotoBooth

Check back soon for more from Danielle and Greg’s wedding in part II.

Event Coordination: Celebrated Events

Preparations: Double Tree South Bend

Flowers: MichaelAngelos

Ceremony: Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame

Stunning florals of yellow and ivory were provided by Michael Angelos of South Bend.

The ceremony was followed by a lovely reception at the Palais Royale with entertainment provided by Blake “DJ Sticky Boots” Eckelbarger of The Music Place.

photography by Melissa Brentlinger & Fehren Johnson of Jennifer Mayo Studios