Tim and Naomi's Wedding {wedding photographer}

I've been looking forward to this wedding for quite some time. Not only because I was photographing it, but because this day has been a long time coming for these two. I was not only honored to play a important role in their day, I was honored to be able to witness the amazing union that took place.

Both Tim and Naomi have a vibrancy and joy about them that is contagious. They love one another so deeply; plainly exemplified by their tender touch and looks when they think no one else is watching.

Naomi and Tim, I couldn't be more excited for your future together. I'm so blessed to call you friends.

Here are a few shots from their big day!

You are stunning.

When Naomi's grandmother passed away, she left Naomi her wedding dress. Since the material had sat for so many years, they couldn't incorporate it into Naomi's dress. Instead, she used the satin to have custom clutches made for her sisters and cousins. Inside was their grandmother's picture with a note about the material.

Tim cleaned up quite nicely!

Naomi and Tim had the guests write a sentence about each of them and drop it in a vase. Instead of a unity candle, the two poured all of the pieces of paper into one vase during the ceremony. Thanks Raiza, for capturing this sweet note.

Waiting to walk down the aisle

Seeing his bride

Raiza, of Vega Photography, assisted me for the day and took this picture from the balcony.

Brothers and sisters taking some shelter from the rain

I loved the rustic details of the day; burlap, mason jars, candles, old books and wild flowers filled the venue.

All the best,

Meredith

Maizy is cute.

Maizy wanted to show off her new outfit. 

I never thought dressing a dog was cute- ever. All I picture is the Legally Blonde toy dog shoved into a purse with a pink headband and tutu on. Let's be honest, I still wouldn't even consider myself a 'dog person,'  since I'm still not a fan of most dogs. Maizy, however, has wormed her little butt right into my heart. 

Especially after we put this on her. We received this in the mail, addressed to Maizy. It is pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen. (the cheerleading outfit is waiting to make an appearance for Halloween, despite the loud objections from the male in the household). She also got a haircut a few weeks ago; go figure, we can actually see her face now.

This angle makes it look like she is giving us the cheesiest smile known to man; really she is just waiting begging for an ice cube.

I can't believe she was only 8 lbs when we picked her up. She couldn't even reach the couch. Now, the window sill is one of her favorite spots. She's over there like white on rice whenever she hears a noise or sees our neighbor dog out for a walk. They like to flirt through the window.

Does this mean we have become those dog people?

Baby Steps

The Wednesday Word, Edition #1

This is the reality of my life; I read a lot of magazine articles and scour the web with the best of 'em. I'm naturally a curious person; my sister always jokes that when I was younger all I did was ask questions. Thankfully I was a pretty cute toe-head so I got away with being the annoying little sister.

I'm aware that I live in a bubble (as we all do), and it gives me this urge to discover and understand so much more. I can't get enough of the business, justice and real estate sections, international news, decorating & recipe ideas, or photojournalism projects. I also get a kick out of the outrageous things some people do {and say}. Many times I find myself wanting to share the article or journal that informed me, spoke to me, made me laugh out loud or forced me to tilt my head in utter confusion (...you mean, people do that?!).
I started throwing up links on this post as I came across such things; so here we are: The first edition of "Things that caught Meredith's interest and therefore must be important {insert question mark}":  
(look, I even gave it a semi-clever name)



I loved this quote from french photographers Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre about their photojournalism project in Detroit.

"Ruins are the visible symbols and landmarks of our societies and their changes, small pieces of history in suspension.

The state of ruin is essentially a temporary situation that happens at some point, the volatile result of change of era and the fall of empires. This fragility, the time elapsed but even so running fast, 

lead us to watch them one very last time : 

being dismayed, or admire, making us wondering about the permanence of things.

Photography appeared to us as a modest way to keep a little bit of this ephemeral state."

Ah!Speak to my heart. I highly recommend checking it out.



Bet you can't guess what I'm making on Saturday:

Football Whoopie Pies! Yum Yum.


U.S News comes out with the the rankings of the top universities each year. Since I work in academia, my husband is in graduate school and I plan on returning to school- I'm always interested to see the new lists (I know, I'm such a nerd) These are institutions that play a powerful role in our society (whether you may realize it or not). Proud to be Wolverine & [pseudo] Cavalier.
(PS. According to this list, Cali would be a safe bet on a solid education; it completely dominated the top 10)

I'm not sure you could convince me to pay $1.1 million to live in a mushroom. I suppose some people really do love their pets. via Pinterest "Women's Football  Scores in Fight Against HIV" Amazing how a sport can begin to change the lives of woman in Namibia! Anyone else completely stoked about the return of Castle? We've been hooked since day 1! Interesting insight into preconceived ideas by employers (is it strange that I have questioned these things while applying for jobs?): Should Woman Wear Engagement Rings to Interviews? I hate to use the word need, but... Thank you again, Pinterest, for spelling out my life in 10 words:

Hey Hey, VA Beach

So I suppose I jumped ahead a bit in my celebration of the coming of Fall; since we spent last weekend soaking up the sun in all of it's summer glory. Although this was our one and only time at the beach, it was wonderful and possibly even made up for our seemingly irredeemable lack of beach activity.

We had a beautiful home to stay in, friends to spend time with, good food to eat, and the beach at our doorstep. It doesn't get much better than that.

We went with our young adults group at our church; a 'retreat' of sorts that proved to be just that.

You can't tell from this picture, but the waves were uncharacteristically high. Which was great, until I ended up washed up on shore like a beached whale; flipping and flailing and coughing up salt water like a pro. It wasn't pretty; nor were my scratched up arms and legs.

 Kyle and I met on a spring break trip through our church back in college, so it felt a bit weird to be back in a similar environment, except five years later, and married. Who would have guessed it?! On that trip, he "got in trouble" for fishing too much and not being social enough. This should not come as a shocker to anyone. Kyle still lovvveeessss fishing. So much so, that he brought 7 poles and endless amounts of gear that filled up our trunk. I love him for his enthusiasm.

I was able to dig up a few pictures from that trip:

That bandage on my wrist; well, I also hurt myself on that trip. Something about running on uneven brick roads at night. I still have a scar on my wrist from the damage. I'm a walking (or running, or swimming) disaster.

 Carrying on...

Kyle and our friend, Daniel, still managed to log some hours on the water. Don't be fooled by the pictures, I spent less than an hour on the pier. I enjoy what I like to refer to as "pier culture." If you have ever spent extended time on a fishing pier, you know exactly what I am referring to.

Being able to see the sunsets and waking up with pinks and purples saturating through our window made me want to be here all day, every day.

(Is it just me, or does the cloud at the bottom look like a swan? I love the "name that cloud shape" game)

Unfortunately for the rest of the group, 5 of us Michigan alum happened to be on the trip. (Laura, in the navy, was also on the spring break trip that Kyle & I met on.) Each Saturday, we watch the games together; singing our fight song, analyzing plays, sometimes throwing things at the TV, and eating our delicious tailgating food.
As many of you may already know; the Michigan vs. Notre Dame game was nothing short of exciting (and emotional). Our screaming, jumping, running and [almost] crying episodes probably made us appear a bit nuts. What can we say, it's in our blood; we love us some football.

Court has been recruited as an honorary Wolverine. C'ville misses you. Specifically, the VK household.

If you are looking for a place to get away before Fall weather actually arrives (you have two weeks by my professional estimate); I'd highly suggest Sandbridge. It was lovely.