Wedding photography by Tracy & Riva

March 21, 2013June 10, 2013 by Steph | 3 Comments

Ready for some more awesome Detroit wedding photography??

I met Tracy Grosshans & Riva Sayegh-McCullen when I was meeting a lot of wedding photographers in the area a year before my own wedding. Riva Sayegh resides in the beautiful Green Acres neighborhood of Detroit. Tracy and Riva are fun women to get to know … And I loved discovering last year via Facebook that they photographed one of my family friend’s wedding! Scroll down to check out some of Tracy & Riva’s lovely photographs of recent Detroit weddings and see more here!

What inspired you to get into wedding photography?

Wedding photography combines so many elements that we both love. Working with people, especially experiencing this awesome day with them, is an amazing experience! But photographically, it is an exciting challenge that combines portraiture, photojournalism, still-life/ details and action all in a very deadline oriented and short timeframe kind of day. We work really well together, bouncing ideas off the other person all day, and balancing all of the elements together. It’s a fast-paced and thrilling day!

Describe your photography style or approach.

We really love to capture the day as it happens, and not get in the way of what is happening. We are photojournalistic, but we are also in control of the action. When we take the couple’s portraits, we want to really reflect their personalities. We take stylish and timeless photos that we hope really capture the memories that they want from that day.

Tell us about how it came to be that you live in Detroit. What do you love about Detroit?

While Tracy has an amazingly restored 19th century farmhouse in Ypsilanti, I live right here in the city. My husband and I bought our house in Greenacres-Woodward nearly 6 years ago. We really wanted to invest in the city and contribute to its growth and energy. We believe in Detroit. We love Greenacres because of its beautiful historic architecture, huge trees and lush foliage (hence the name of the neighborhood!), diversity of people, and very involved community. The people here are awesome, and we have many friends in the neighborhood, young and old, black and white, everything in between, that not only care about the city and the neighborhood. We all are actively involved in promoting the success of the city in so many ways.

What are your three favorite Detroit wedding venues to photograph?

Many of our favorites are on Belle Isle- the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory and Gardens, Belle Isle Casino, and The Detroit Yacht Club. The Rattlesnake Club is a favorite of ours, the Colony Club is lovely, as are the dozens of historic and architecturally beautiful churches in Detroit.

What are your three favorite Detroit spots for engagement (or anniversary) photos?

Of course Belle Isle, Dequindre Cut, Eastern Market, and my new favorite Palmer Park! Close to home, it has lush woods and a historic log cabin, amazing fountain, a pond and lighthouse. You can see deer there if you are very quiet!

Any predictions for Detroit wedding trends in 2013?

There is definitely a DIY spirit in our Detroit couples. I think whatever the style of the wedding, it’s always so much more exciting when the couple and their friends and family have an active role in the aesthetics and planning of the details. It’s obvious when the details don’t look like they came straight out of a magazine- that they really reflect the couple’s personalities and tastes!

If you could give one piece of advice to Detroit brides & grooms who are trying to choose a wedding photographer, what would it be?

Photographers are really the only vendor you choose for your wedding that you spend nearly the entire day with. You not only want a team of talented photographers that can capture your wedding in a timeless and beautiful way, but you want to have a great experience! Meet with your photographers in person, talk to them and see if they are a good fit- aesthetically, personally, and professionally. We always walk away from our weddings feeling like we made new friends, and we think our couples feel that way as well!

R&R: Jewelry by Sparklegarden …reused and reinvented

March 14, 2013June 10, 2013 by Steph | 11 Comments

Are you a jewelry lover? If so, this post is for you!

Mavis Farr-Smentkowski is a Detroit resident whose jewelry and metalsmithing studio is located in Southwest Detroit. If you are a bride or groom looking for some locally-made, environmentally friendly jewelry for your wedding day or for bridesmaid/groomsmen gifts, check out her company, Sparklegarden, on Etsy! One of my favorite things I learned about Sparklegarden is that Mavis can create custom cufflinks or guitar picks for you!

Check out these adorable bridal earrings….

How did you get into metalsmithing and jewelry?

After a lifelong fascination with both tools and jewelry, I officially got into metalsmithing in 2006. I’m trained as a painter, but my attention span shifted when my daughter was born. I found it more fulfilling to express myself with a medium I could literally and figuratively pick up and put down many times while completing. My goal is to provide high quality affordable future heirlooms with a streak of sass and a lot of heart. The majority of my work is custom, with the customer choosing the stones, and the personalized stamping. What I love about making jewelry and gifts for people is that I get to give folks a means to express themselves in a lasting way.

I understand you use recycled silver and other metals. Can you tell me more about that process? Where do you find your metal sources and how did you decide to go this route?

Up to 10 percent of the world’s energy consumption comes from the mining of precious metal, with most mining currently happening in open pit mines. Pit mines are often created by blasting beautiful natural areas and using chemicals like cyanide to extract the metals. Without getting too political, I’d like to point out that there is an alternative which is using, reusing, and reinventing our current supply.

When creating my jewelry, I upcycle vintage tea tins and other elements to give them a new life. I purchase my sterling, fine silver, gold and copper from a certified “green” wholesaler. When I can, I locally source copper and bronze to use again.

The guitar pick above makes me wish I hadn’t passed up that $20 guitar at the Lafayette Park neighborhood yard sale a few years ago…

How did you come to live in Detroit? Why Detroit for your studio space?

I grew up near Detroit, and my family has deep roots here. After a long stint (20 years) in the Lake Superior bioregion, my husband and I decided on an urban pioneering adventure. We packed up our daughter and our hound dog last summer and headed back to the Motor City. Detroit is the perfect place for creative people who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves and making things happen.

How would you describe the style of the bride or groom who might shop at Sparklegarden for customizable jewelry?

My typical wedding client is someone who wants a unique personalized gift at a great value. A lot of my customers choose my work because of my quick turnaround time, and use of recycled precious metals. The styles range anywhere from classic pearls and gold to boho eco chic to punk rock Audrey Hepburn.

Is there any advice you would like to share with newly engaged brides or grooms in Detroit on finding the right accessories and wedding party gifts?

My best advice is to take your time. Breathe deep. And shop local.

How to cleverly plan a Detroit wedding (Interview with Lynn Jovick)

March 1, 2013June 10, 2013 by Steph | 1 Comment

Lynn Jovick is the Designer and Owner of Clever Bumblebee Creations. She is also on the board of directors for the Scarab Club, which was Mahima and Shane’s wedding venue in Detroit! I was thrilled to connect with Lynn through Mahima and Shane.

Lynn has a wealth of knowledge and experience planning weddings in Detroit, and we sat down to chat about weddings in Detroit! I love hearing people express how they became passionate about their “work.” It was amazing to see Lynn’s face light up when talking about the details of wedding design as we excitedly shared our love for all things wedding-related over coffee! I am also grateful for her ideas and advice for LoveintheD.

Check out the interview and photos (all taken by Lynn, except the first one, which was taken by a wedding guest)!

What inspired you to get into the wedding/event business and how long have you been doing it?
I’ve been fully involved in the wedding planning and production industry for the past seven years. Being an interior designer in the years prior, clients would always ask me for my opinion on event and party design. Then I decided to take a floral design class and I was hooked! I loved working with the color and texture of flowers and it all came very naturally to me. My customer service background only complemented that talent if you can say that. And I love, love, love to see the outcome and final project unveiling, if you will. It’s like a work of art to me.

What is your favorite thing about wedding planning?
My favorite part of the wedding planning process is first, the consultation – brainstorming with the client about their special event, and coming up with a plan. And second, seeing it all come together and the look on the brides face when she sees her bouquet!

What is your biggest lesson learned about wedding planning?

I am not sure if this is a lesson, but something I feel strongly about. A budget is a budget, and any budget can be achieved honestly. You don’t have to oversell to a client to make their dream a reality, although a little convincing and a lot of experience with ideas is always a plus.

What do you love most about weddings in Detroit?
Having a wedding in Detroit proper opens so many doors to options: unique places, historic landmarks, diamonds in the rough, beautiful seasonal scenery, which yields wonderful memories, and amazing photography. One piece of advice: Don’t skimp on the photography!

Any predictions for Detroit wedding trends in 2013?
More and more couples are becoming aware of the uniqueness and value of having a wedding in the city proper. I see that “trend,” if you will, becoming more apparent. Most couples getting married today are excited about bringing a historical twist to their event, be it an old family church, a favorite place to hang out, or something unique about the city to show their guests. Detroit has so much to offer in that sense. We have it all in the palm of our hand. For many couples, having a wedding in one of Detroit’s historic areas brings community and family back together to embrace the values of knowing your history and your families’ humble beginnings.

If you could give one piece of advice to Detroit brides & grooms who are just starting out in the wedding planning process, what would it be?
My advice to all my couples is to remember that your wedding is about you and sharing your interests and lives with your family and friends! This ties in to another “trend” in wedding planning: Most of my couples are in the position of paying for their own wedding. There are very few parental “handouts” anymore. Not that they shouldn’t have an influence on your day, but there are ways to incorporate both the old and the new. In fact, I encourage it! So this is your chance to throw the biggest party of your lives to date. I encourage you to share your families’ interests in subtle ways, and make you day uniquely yours. Your wedding day is a day that will be talked about for years to come.

Thank you, Lynn!

Readers: Any aspiring wedding planners out there? What do you love most about planning and design?

Wedding photography by Ryan Southen

February 11, 2013June 10, 2013 by Steph | 1 Comment

On our wedding day, Sean and I ran out of time before the ceremony to take photos at some of the locations on our list. [Psssst. Tip: Brides, if applicable, schedule your own hair or make-up for the middle of your bridesmaids list — do not put yourself at the end of both lists. Oops!] So, last fall, Sean and I decided to take one year anniversary photos.

Lucky for us, Ryan Southen had recently moved into our lovely neighborhood of Lafayette Park! After Ryan’s wedding photography website thoroughly impressed Sean, I checked out the website and was equally impressed. Ryan spent several hours with us and we were incredibly happy with our anniversary photos. And we had a blast! Scroll down to see some favorite Detroit wedding photographs by Ryan Southen Photography.

Meet Ryan.

What inspired you to get into wedding photography?

I was shooting architecture and commercially but when the recession hit, those jobs disappeared on me and most other photographers in Metro Detroit. I was fortunate enough to have a friend who was in a similar boat. He had started shooting weddings and asked me to assist him. The first wedding he asked me to help him out on happened to be a destination wedding in Maine, so my very first experience with shooting weddings involved flying on a plane and shooting an amazing couple on the Atlantic Ocean! Not a bad way to start and from there, I was hooked. It didn’t take me very long to fall in love with wedding photography. I have met some amazing people, many who have become great friends, and I have been able to travel and photograph some amazing places.

Describe your photography style or approach.

I like to think of my style as modern or contemporary and I’ve been told that people can see my architectural background in my photographs. It’s that perspective that helps me be more creative and deliver a unique product to my couples. I feel that weddings should be fun from start to finish so I would say that I have a relaxed approach to shooting, with an emphasis on having fun! I like to get to know my couples and joke around with them. It ends up making the experience more enjoyable and the fun shows up in the photographs.

Tell us about your move to Detroit. How did you decide to move downtown to Lafayette Park and what do you love about Detroit?

Before I became a photographer, I had dreams of becoming an architect. That dream began with family trips to Detroit when I was young. I became inspired by the buildings and built environment. Detroit fueled my passion for architecture and when I decided to go a different route in life and try my hand at photography, it became the backdrop for my photos. The city has had an unbelievable impact on me from a creative standpoint, so it was a no brainer for me to move down here. I chose to live in Lafayette Park because I love mid-century architecture and design. There is no better place in Metro Detroit than Lafayette Park for that! The neighborhood is wonderful, the people are wonderful, and i love being steps from downtown, the riverfront, the Dequindre Cut and Eastern Market. I really can’t think of a more perfect place for me. It feels great to be a part of Detroit’s renaissance!

What are your three favorite Detroit wedding venues to photograph?

Orchestra Hall – The staff is incredibly accommodating and the mix of the old theater with the modern addition makes for some really great photographic opportunities.

Colony Club – It’s a stunning venue for anyone who wants a classic look.

Detroit Institute of Arts – Although I was told the wedding I shot there in 2011 was the last one to use the Grand Hall, it is still an amazing venue with many possibilities both inside and out.

What are your three favorite Detroit spots for engagement photos?

Belle Isle, the DIA, and the riverfront are all pretty popular spots for my engagement photos. I think my favorite engagement shoots are the ones where we just explore downtown or Midtown without any real plan. The city has so many cool spots for photos that people don’t realize are there. There is potential on every block, which is one reason I enjoy shooting down here so much.

Any predictions for Detroit wedding trends in 2013?

I predict that Detroit venues are going to get tougher and tougher for people to book. I have been doing this for five years and in that short period of time, I have been amazed by how much earlier brides and grooms are booking vendors and venues. With all of the positive things happening in downtown and Midtown, I think it will be tougher for people to book the venues they want.

If you could give one piece of advice to Detroit brides & grooms who are trying to choose a wedding photographer, what would it be?

Sit down and meet with your photographer. Depending on how early you book them, it is a relationship that can last years! It is important that you not only like your photographer’s work, but that you like the photographer as well. A good relationship with your photographer can be the difference between natural looking photos and uncomfortable ones.

Readers: Which is your favorite of the beautiful shots above?

LoveintheD

Socially conscious Detroit weddings and happenings

Category Archives: vendor

Wedding photography by Tracy & Riva

R&R: Jewelry by Sparklegarden …reused and reinvented

How to cleverly plan a Detroit wedding (Interview with Lynn Jovick)

Wedding photography by Ryan Southen