Photographing Shannon and Tony

Shannon, a well educated, traveled and independent gal met Tony, a talented musician and educator while they were working
at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2007. The pair became engaged after Tony was inspired to craft lyrics and a tune. He performed his musical proposal for Shannon while they were on vacation and the rest is history!  Shannon recently moved to Chicago to begin her career as an attorney while Tony finishes up his obligations in Michigan. While they may be living in different states for now, it's clear they are meant to be together!

Shannon and Tony fell in love in Detroit and they have some major love for Detroit. So where else would we shoot their engagement photos? We hit up Belle Isle and made some of my favorite photos of the day.


I'm not sure if Shannon could smile any bigger in this photo! (Big ups for being extra prepared with boots suitable for running through the snow in mid-February!)


Love that Detroit skyline!


Definitely one of my favorites from our shoot! I couldn't decide between color or black and white, so you get both!






A trip down memory lane. Shannon and Tony shared their first date at Comerica Park!


We hit up Greektown and were welcomed with some sweet light!




We ended our afternoon with a stop at Hart Plaza and some photos in front of the sculpture "Transcending."


Congratulations, friends! Much love, laughter and happiness!

Grill master

Turns out that I am obsessed with grilling. For the second weekend in a row, I bought every vegetable I could find and I cooked the heck out of them on the grill.



My sister and I went down to Detroit to visit my mom this past weekend. Lots of eating and lots of relaxing.




Over looking the Detroit River.

Tiger Marge

Marge Colburn is turning 90! To celebrate her birthday and devotion to her favorite baseball team, season ticket-holder and super fan, Tiger Marge was invited to throw out the first pitch at last Tuesday's game at Comerica Park. Sporting special Tigers "Colburn 90" t-shirts, Marge, her four children, Elizabeth, Sarah, William and Mary, and a fan club of 35 people gathered to celebrate the big day.



Marge reacting to a birthday card signed by former Tiger and Hall of Famer Al Kaline!


In the underbelly of Comerica, on our way to the field.


Reacting to her fans as she waits to enter the field.


Marge fist-bumping the man himself, Tigers manager Jim Leyland


This seems like the logical spot for a photo of Tiger Marge throwing out the first pitch. You might ask, Melanie, where is a photo of the first pitch? Well, that's a surprise for the family for later! :)

Left: Marge holds the ball she had signed by her favorite player Brandon Inge. Right: Celebrating a home run!




Group shot!

A night at the Park - Detroit, Michigan

Dad and I hit up the baseball game at Comerica Park last night. We ended up getting some upgraded-superstar seats because lets face it, when you hang out with my dad, good things happen. He is just that sorta guy. As he says, "It pays to be a good person."

Despite me spilling my beer, accidentally dropping a peanut down some kid's shirt (sorry kid, snack for later?) and the Tiger's losing, we had a great time!

Portrait of dad, portrait of me.


The next door neighbor.

Hockeytown-Detroit, Michigan

I got the chance to go to last night's Red Wings game-three playoff game against the (fun-spoiling-jerks) San Jose Sharks. I haven't been to a hockey game since the eighth grade and I was super excited to return to the Joe.
I brought along my camera, which totally confused the security guard, no it's not a "movie camera" lady, to take a few photos.
Even though our beloved Wings lost, painfully so, I still had a great time! Thanks to super fans and friends Angie, Rob, Eric and Katie for a great night!



Eric and Katie checking out Canada and the Detroit River.

No camera, no problem!

With my D3 sent into the techies over at Nikon, I've been feeling a little lonely lately. When my brother Jeff, sister Julianne and I decided to visit our mom and her boyfriend Mark out at his boat in Detroit for Easter this past Sunday, I decided to use what I have. And what I have is cell phone. I have been dumb-founded by what people can produce with cell phone cameras. I use mine mostly to photograph my cats. (Lucky them!) So here is my attempt at iPhone photography while out on a walk around the marina yesterday.

And just who is "top priority" around here?


This is where Mark and mom keep the boat, it's called a dockominium, get it? :)

Detroit Fashion

Number one rule when looking for parking in Detroit: Just pay for parking and quit looking for a free spot. Well, maybe "lock your doors" should be the number one rule, but I wish I had followed the "just pay" school of thought last night as I was roaming the street of Detroit. Initially, I was 20 minuets early for the fashion show I had trekked downtown to see. If I had just paid to park in a garage I would have easily scored a decent spot to watch and photograph Ann Arborite Kelly Lynne's free show at Oslo. But I didn't, and I learned my lesson! Great show, however! Here are a couple of frames from the evening.

Another Saturday at Eastern Market - Detroit, Michigan

Here are some photos from another awesome Saturday afternoon at Eastern Market.



Fantastic rows of beauty!




If only they stayed this sweet and tiny!


My sister Julianne works the phones as we wait in line for lunch at Russell Street Deli. She likes plaid.

Portrait of Two Chairs

Those who know me, know I love to collect things. I'm not a crazy collector, you'll find no hoarding here, but I've got small collections. Pyrex dishes, teapots, fabrics and even a box of Lego men circa 1992. Part of the fun of collecting is the thrill of the hunt, or find, in my case. Although two isn't exactly a collection, these new additions to my living room were a thrilling find! I came across them a few weekends ago while at an antique store in Eastern Market. There was a going out of business sale and I snatched up these mid-century, Grand Rapids, MI made chairs (along with a beat up end table) for $75! Best deal in the world? Who knows. The price was worth the find and I can now end my endless hunting on Criagslist!

Special thanks to Mark for the wood-working surgery needed to save the life of the one on the right!

Saturday at Eastern Market - Detroit, Michigan

Eastern Market is honestly one of my favorite places on the planet. Since I've moved back to Michigan (and have been granted Saturdays off!) I've been making more frequent trips. Interestingly enough, I did my first-ever photo essay at Eastern Market. It was terrible. I think it has since become a photo essay that I will work on for life, as I will always be collecting photographs of my experiences there.

Farmers and vendors come from all over the state and set up their stands in the sheds where they sell produce, baked goods, grains, plants and many other items for much less than most grocery store prices.


I couldn't resist photographing at this table, everything was bathed in beautiful, warm light. I managed to snatch up some of those red potatoes and a basket of onions, $1 each!


This vendor sells firewood. He was also caught trying to sell some charm to my mom, the wag of her finger told him who's boss!


Pretty red tulips on the left, Mom and Mark on the right.


I took this while we waited in line for my favorite restaurant in the village, Russell Street Deli. It's the kind of place where if there isn't a line out front, then they must be out of the day's fantastic specials. (See photo of my meatless ruben below, not a Saturday special, but special for my stomach!)