Late spring, The Guidance Center reached out to me about a film for their Kids-TALK Children’s Advocacy Center. It was an instant yes, and over this summer, I got to see first hand the wonderful work they are doing for Wayne County. They are modern day saints, and it’s been an honor to share what they do with the world. If you’re able, please consider donating to this incredible and important cause.
https://www.guidance-center.org/donate-online/
#childrensadvocacycenter #detroit #hope #healing
ANNIE x MATT | MURDER AND DINOSAURS
Annie’s parents gave a touching toast chronicling Annie and Matt’s lives and how they met. They ALSO had some jokes!
#weddingvideography #weddingfilm #dinosaurs #darkhumor #funny #weddingtoast #motherofthebride #fatherofthebride
ANNIE x MATT | ii. Live, Love, Ranch
Annie and Matt’s weekend started off with a rehearsal at @diadetroit and then a dinner at @sanmorellodetroit located inside @shinolahotel
I knew immediately that this weekend was going to be amazing when I started meeting their incredible family and friends. It was a perfect summer evening, so as dinner and toasts wrapped, most of the party spilled out onto Woodward Avenue.
Design & Coordination: @loandcoeventdesign
Florals: @brunetteblossoms
Photography: @kellysweetphoto
Cinema: @tenthirtyfilms
Venue: @diadetroit @shinolahotel @sanmorellodetroit
Chairs: @detroitchiavari
Linens & Cutlery: @fabulous_events
Chargers: @eventtheorymi
Band: @bluewaterkingsband
Hair: @simonavigh.hairdesign
Makeup: @24luxebeautybar
ANNIE x MATT | “You make me happy.”
They say only 7% of communication is made up of our words. The other 93% resides in our body language and our tone of voice. Nothing I’ve witnessed has illustrated that more than the four simple words @matwjohn spoke to his (now) wife @annie_stenback during their beautiful @diadetroit ceremony.
Design & Coordination: @loandcoeventdesign
Florals: @brunetteblossoms
Photography: @kellysweetphoto
Cinema: @tenthirtyfilms
Venue: @diadetroit
Chairs: @detroitchiavari
Linens & Cutlery: @fabulous_events
Chargers: @eventtheorymi
Band: @bluewaterkingsband
Hair: @simonavigh.hairdesign
Makeup: @24luxebeautybar
Cooler boy: ❌
Cooler man(ager): ✅
I’ve started editing @melschreib and @cam_schreibs wedding film and had to share this masterful bit of father-in-law banter. This couple, and this family was such a joy to work for and I’m thankful to be able to call them and many of the vendors I worked with friends now.
Couture Bridal Gown: @sarahkolisdesigns
Venue: @saintjohnsresort
Coordinator: @ldtevents
Photographer: @pennyralenephotography
Videography: @tenthirtyfilms
Florals: @thebeautifulbloomdetroit
Hair: @hairpinsandhappiness and @carleanadlc
Makeup: @dn_artistry
Photo Booth: @mammothparty
Band: @bluewaterkingsband
Linens and chargers: @luxeeventlinen
Invitations: @invitationsbycaitlin
Cake: @bellaedolcecakes
You wouldn’t think it by looking at these gorgeous florals by @flowersfordreamsdetroit but there was a blizzard raging just outside of @booktowerdetroit during this styled shoot at their flagship venue @anthologyevents
Styled shoots can get a bad wrap, but I think they’re great for a handful of reasons:
1. Networking! I need both hands to count the amazing people I met doing this job, and it was an awesome opportunity to demonstrate my style and professionalism at no risk to the people who have since sent me leads and clients.
2. Experimentation! Sometimes we get ideas for shots or looks and we simply can’t take the chance at a wedding. Yes, we can film anywhere, but there’s nothing like filming essentially what we will on a real wedding day. I trialed several items and techniques here and felt much more confident in doing them on a wedding day because of it.
3. Getting to know a venue. I’d not filmed at Book Tower before, but my April clients were thrilled I’d filmed there—and they got to see my work before their wedding!
4. Staying sharp. If you don’t keep your skills up during the off season, your first wedding of the year may be tough. We owe it to our clients to be at our best all year, and this is a great way to do it.
The Team
Creative Direction/Planner: @bunnyandjuneevent
Photographer: @chebellaphoto
Venue: @booktowerdetroit &@anthologyevents
Makeup: @makeup_kellybuchanan
Hair: @nicolebristowbeauty
Couture Bridal Gown Designer: @sarahkolisdesigns
Tuxedos: @thetuxshoponwoodward
Flowers: @flowersfordreamsdetroit
Cake: @sweetheatheranne
Paper Goods: @invitationsbycaitlin
Linen: @luxeeventlinen
Cinematographer:@tenthirtyfilms
Shoes: @bellabelleshoes
Place Setting: @gerychs
Assistant Photographer: @gracelizabeth.photo
Model: @bellami_erin @erinasamoatutu
Model: @pure00layne
#weddinginspiration #weddingvideography #detroit #weddingflowers #weddingfashion
One year ago today, two of the loveliest people I’ve ever met—inside and out—made their commitment to each other permanent with a wedding so joyous, earnest, and beautiful I could hardly believe it was real. Since then, I’ve come to call them friends, and these already exceptional people have grown so much just in their first year of marriage. I can’t say I’m surprised, and it is my hope that each year is better than the last.
Kate, Dan: happy 1yr anniversary. May it be as wonderful as you.
Planning: @lunasoireeevents
Photography: @lindseybillingsphoto
Venue: @rockeventsdetroit
Florals: @jcostellodesigns
HMU: @configurebeautydetroit
Invitations: @invitationsbycaitlin
Cake: @sorellascakestudio
Let’s go girls. 💃
This song was played about ten times during this incredibly fun shoot featuring a full collection of original pieces by @sarahkolisdesigns and modeled by her beautiful sister @melschreib (all for her wedding on 5/11/24, which we all worked as well!).
It was a fun (first!) day at Sarah’s brand new studio, and I can’t wait to work with all of these amazing vendors again.
#bridalfashion #bride #weddingdress #weddingphotography #weddingvideography #hairstylist #makeupartist
Melissa & Cameron’s Teaser! 🥳
The A Team:
Couture Bridal Gown: @sarahkolisdesigns
Bride: @melkolis
Venue: @saintjohnsresort
Coordinator: @ldtevents
Photographer: @pennyralenephotography
Videography: @tenthirtyfilms
Florals: @thebeautifulbloomdetroit
Hair: @hairpinsandhappiness and @carleanadlc
Makeup: @dn_artistry
Photo Booth: @mammothparty
Band: @bluewaterkingsband
Linens and chargers: @luxeeventlinen
Invitations: @invitationsbycaitlin
Cake: @bellaedolcecakes
Some of you asked me to make this a Reel so it could be more easily shared. This is the edited/cut version of my original story from earlier this week. See here:
https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE4MDQ3NTEwNDQ5NjYwNzc4?igsh=cTgyOXN1cHV2cHl1
A local family of four has lost their two youngest children, and the mom and oldest are in critical condition after a drunk driver drove into the boat club where they were celebrating a birthday. Unimaginable. What brings this closer to home is that they went to school with my kids. It’s been a rough week and my hats off to Flat Rock schools for being so supportive of the kids.
Our community—and people from all over the country—are stepping up to help them through this unimaginable tragedy. I’d like to join them, so the next wedding I book will go entirely to this family. What better way to fight tragedy than to celebrate love?
I’ve already lined up others who are also willing to volunteer their time to maximize the money going to them.
If you know someone looking for a wedding videographer, who would like their money to go to a great cause, send them my way (my inquiry link is in my profile). If you don’t know anyone looking for a videographer, please consider donating (link below). Let’s help this family. Thank you!
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/cce7a6e6
#weddingvideography #weddingfilmmaker #detroit #detroitwedding #community #family
Molly & Kyle’s wedding was one of the funnest I’ve ever filmed. Their gifts and notes to each other were extremely thoughtful, but Kyle’s handwriting is…well, you’ll see. Watch their full wedding film to see the magic of editing!
We all knew it would make for a funny story.
#weddingfilm #weddingvideography #weddinggift #handwritten #detroit #detroitwedding
SHIRA + BRANDON | 10.22.2023