Paige and Mac had quite the pandemic wedding experience. We had to reschedule their spring engagement session numerous times due to the 3 month shutdown. When we did finally meet up for the engagement photos, Paige and Mac mentioned that their original wedding plans taking place at the MSU Alumni Chapel and the East Lansing Marriott still stood, and that they would reduce their guest count to meet indoor event executive orders. Well, the following week, there was a COVID outbreak at Harpers brewery in East Lansing one block from the EL Marriott (we all saw it on the news!) and Paige and Mac immediately knew— their wedding plans were in jeopardy.

With just one month until their August wedding, new indoor executive orders were introduced, and Paige and Mac had two choices: reschedule or somehow plan an entirely new wedding in just 4 weeks at a new location. Living in Chicago with a wedding in MI, this would be quite a challenge. However, they did it! They decided to have a backyard wedding at Paige’s parents house on Crystal Lake! Not only did they plan an amazing event in such a short amount of time, but they also did it safely, reducing guest count, holding the entire event outside, providing masks and sanitizer, and spacing tables far apart. Paige kept in close contact with me, asking which way they should face their ceremony, working with me on portrait locations and crafting a timeline that would allow them to get all the photos they wanted. Paige kept stressing how important photos were to them, and kept me involved in the planning process the entire time. Being that this was a backyard wedding, they had total control which provided so much flexibility— it was amazing! It was also nice that since everything was in one location, we didn’t have to spend any time driving and could spend all the time we needed taking photos.

Congrats to Paige and Mac on their beautiful wedding that they were able to execute quickly, beautifully and safely!

Alissa and Rob originally wanted their session to take place on Belle Isle, but the island stopped issuing photo permits for 2020 due to the pandemic. So, we decided on downtown Detroit (Z-lot and Grand Circus), with the goal of getting as much fall color in the photos as possible. People don’t usually think of city locations as being great spots for fall photos, but they are! The trees turn color in cities too, and the leaves mixed with the architecture makes for stunning, unique color. In fact, cities are really the only location that look fantastic in all four seasons. Here are a few of my favorites from their shoot…

Fall mini session day in East Lansing on the MSU campus was a success!! And can you believe it was 75 degrees on a Michigan November afternoon?! It was crazy! I love the MSU gardens in all seasons, and they did not disappoint! Even in the second week of November, there were still trees with leaves and we got some great fall shots!

As a former preschool teacher, I know how stressful family portraits with small children can be, so we play games! On this day we played red light green light, going on a bear hunt, Simon says, and had dance parties with their favorite songs. It was the biggest compliment when one family said at the end of their session, “Normally we feel defeated at the end of family pictures, but this was actually fun!”. I can’t promise that is the case every time (30 degree weather just might not give us happy kids), but I try! Here are some of my favorites from the minis…

Morgan and Matthew were my first 2021 couple to book! They booked in 2019 and opted for a two year engagement when most have a one year engagement. Little did they know that it was a blessing in disguise, as many 2020 weddings were rescheduled. They are getting married at the University Club next year and I can’t wait!

In addition to having their wedding on MSU’s campus, they also decided to have their engagement photos on campus too! They chose the Children’s gardens and the Horticulture gardens. Because it was summer, all the flowers were in full bloom, including the roses. No other garden can beat an MSU garden— they are seriously the best gardens in Michigan for photos— and they are free…no fee at all, and easy parking! Even if you aren’t MSU alum, Spartan signs are absent from the gardens so you can still use them without any guilt :) .

I mentioned last week that I hadn’t blogged in 1.5 years! However, in the last week I’ve blogged 4 times and this post will make my 5th! Giving myself a pat on the back!

Because I haven’t blogged in 1.5 years, I have so many weddings and portrait shoots to share. Today, I’m sharing Brittany and Nick’s summer 2019 wedding at Oceancliff in RI. It makes me so happy to share these photos, especially since I wasn’t able to travel to RI/Boston this year for work due to COVID. Looking through these photos, it reminded me how sunny it was that day, how warm and breezy the ocean air felt, and the extreme happiness that Britt and Nick emoted. They and their families are seriously so fun and kind, and I can’t help but smile when I view these photos. Luckily, Britt and Nick purchased an album, so I get to work with them a little longer! It’s always hard to say good-bye to clients when you work with them closely for a year and experience one of the most important days of their lives with them, so it’s always nice to continue that relationship with an album design process.

Brittany and Nick were married at Oceancliff in Newport, RI, which has amazing views, an incredible experience, and great food. Every wedding I have photographed there (and I’ve done a lot!) has run so smoothly; couples are so relaxed and don’t have to worry about a thing due to their stellar team and service.

They started their day getting ready in separate AirBnb’s (which are always a great choice so your wedding party can spread out and you have room for photos!) and then headed to Oceancliff for a first look. I love the series of photos from their first look- they look so, so happy! Because Britt and Nick wanted to join in their cocktail hour to mingle with their guests, we did all of their photos prior to their ceremony, including wedding party and family portraits. This is a great way to schedule your day if you want to be at your party the whole time and not worry about missing any portions of it to take photos. Not to mention, we got some great candids of them greeting their guests at cocktail hour and some fun shots with college friends and extended family that weren’t in the portraits earlier in the day. Don’t miss the dessert bar photos towards the end— it was seriously amazing and every time I look at them, I feel the need to run out and get a doughnut!

Congrats, you two!!! Looking forward to the album!!

Kelsey and Brandon had the most beautiful barn wedding! They started their day with a dramatic first look in the pouring rain! Brandon waited by the pond while Kelsey made her way down from the bridal suite. Because it was raining, I provided clear bubble umbrellas to use. Fun fact: I carry several of these in my trunk all wedding season for my clients to use! You don’t have to buy your own :) . Even in the rain, outdoor photos are prettier, and as long as the umbrellas are clear (colored umbrellas throw a weird cast on your skin), we can capture stunning photographs.

Some clients are on the fence about doing a first look (and I totally understand!), but with two photographers and the right set up, we can create some pretty amazing photos if you choose to do one. Kelsey and Brandon’s first look images are some of my favorites ever, probably because they are so dramatic!

A few other interesting things about Kelsey and Brandon’s wedding- Kelsey arrived to the ceremony in a horse and carriage and Brandon built the arch they were married under by hand with his dad- how amazing is that?! Also, Kelsey’s mom surprised them with all of the flowers…they had no idea!

I loved all of the tall candles, and I also loved that the forest green candles matched the bridesmaids dresses. I’m always a fan of the earth tones because they photograph so well!

Congrats to Kelsey and Brandon on their stunning wedding!

I met Ava when she was 11 months old and babysat her regularly throughout my years in college. Last week I took her senior portraits- I cannot believe it!

Ava wanted urban and natural, so we headed to downtown Lansing which has a good mix of both. Downtown Lansing is quickly becoming one of my favorite locations because of all of the diverse backgrounds and ease of navigating it (and free/easy parking!). I LOVE how they turned out! Oh- and don't miss the last pic of Ava and I...13 years ago!

This weekend I took over 2,000 photos and had 3 engagement sessions and 3 family portrait sessions! This is a typical weekend for a photographer in October. We photographers joke that October for us is just like April for accountants....every one would like a service at the same time and so we have to jam pack our weekends so that all of our clients can get that fall color for their photos.

While we had to reschedule Erica and Grant's first session due to rain, the second date ended up being perfect- sunny and not too cold! People always ask me what to wear, and Erica and Grant chose the perfect outfits- solid, textured sweaters in earth tones. Erica also threw a scarf over her sweater for a third, different look!

I love how these turned out-- you can't beat the fall color on MSU's campus! Even if you aren’t alumni, I always recommend MSU’s campus for it’s beautiful gardens. As long as you don’t take pictures with Sparty, no one can tell you are on campus ;) .

I can’t believe my last blog post was a year and a half ago…In normal times a year a half may see little change. However, in 2020, this past year and a half will be one of the most memorable in history. There is a pandemic and the entire world shut down for months. The wedding industry came to a complete halt. It’s been a year like no other.

However, by summer things started to feel like normal and I even photographed some weddings! And this fall has felt like every other- packed full of weddings, engagements, and family sessions. I am SO thankful to be busy this October. I don’t think I will ever take feeling busy for granted again!

This month I had 7 engagement sessions and many of them were in downtown Detroit. I didn’t grow up in or near Detroit, and feel most at home in Lansing (which actually feels like a small version of Detroit to me!). However, this city has really grown on me! My clients have opened my eyes up to so much and I love wandering the streets and finding little nooks to shoot it.

Today I am sharing some of those images wandering around Detroit with Bea + Nick. Aren’t they so photogenic? After viewing a few, Bea said I made them feel like models and it makes my heart feel so happy to hear that! Can’t wait for their wedding next year!

When I moved from Michigan to Boston 12 years ago, Old Town in Lansing was just beginning. It was literally a two block radius, and while I thought it was awesome, I wasn’t sure about it’s future as an up and coming neighborhood in Lansing. Well, I was wrong. When I returned to Michigan two years ago, I was so pleasantly surprised that not only had Old Town survived ten years, but it had also THRIVED and EXPANDED by several blocks in all directions and is continuing to do so. Old Town is such a bright spot in Lansing and I was so thankful to return to a city that has so much going for it.

Anasa and Paul also love Old Town, and even though they are getting married in Florida (where they met and are from), chose to have their engagement photos taken in the neighborhood that they love. Congratulations to these two on their engagement and upcoming wedding!!

As I planned my move from Rhode Island to Michigan in 2016, I began to advertise in the Detroit area. Alyssa was one of the first brides I connected with, and we instantly hit it off. We found out we went to the same graduate school in Boston, and she had lived there about as long as I had. Having just made the move from East Coast to Midwest herself, she counseled me and told me what to expect. She felt like an old friend so much so, that when she hung up from our initial consultation, her now husband Phil asked who she had been talking to because it had sounded like an old friend.

When we finally met in person in Ann Arbor for their engagement shoot, Alyssa introduced me to “crack fries” at Hopcat downtown. She and Phil zipped me around Ann Arbor, showing me where to park and the best places to shoot.

When their wedding finally came, I was so excited. It was my first wedding in downtown Detroit and I was nervous! I had location scouted to select photo locations to help prepare, and Alyssa had arranged transportation for me so that all I had to focus on were the photos. Their wedding at Old St. Mary’s and reception at the Palazzo Grande were stunning. The church was one of the prettiest I have ever shot in and the Palazzo Grande had some of the best food I’ve ever had at a wedding. On top of great food, Alyssa + Phil sat us at a table with guests so that we were able to enjoy the multiple course meal along with their guests. We felt like family!

Thank you, Alyssa + Phil, for trusting me to document your beautiful wedding!

Sometimes when you wake up on your wedding day, it isn’t the sunny, beautiful day you have dreamed about, but rather pouring rain and high speed winds. This was what happened on Nicky + Joey’s wedding day, so when I arrived at the beach home they had rented in Newport, I fully expected some nerves and stress. Rather, I found the opposite. Some of the first words out of Nicky’s mouth were, “I’m so glad we rented an indoor/outdoor venue. I haven’t been stressed out at all.”

By indoor/outdoor venue, Nicky was referring to her venue, The Newport Beach House , which has gorgeous space inside for both ceremony and portraits (as well as outside). It was so nice seeing how relaxed Nicky + Joey were, and we were able to capture some amazing portraits in the newly constructed Oyster Lounge with it’s modern cement floors and walls full of windows.

Planning a wedding? Choose an indoor/outdoor venue to ease your nerves :) . If your dream venue doesn’t have an indoor option, see if you can rent one nearby for portraits. Botanical centers, libraries, and museums are great options that often rent space to wedding parties for a fee. If all else fails, grab some umbrellas and schedule a day after session :) . The lesson here is if there is rain- don’t fret! You can still get the photos you have dreamed about!

Aren’t Mallory and Jon the cutest?? We had an absolutely gorgeous (but a tad chilly!) fall day for their engagement photos on the north campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing. People are often scared to wait and do their photos the first two weekends of November, but I swear, those two weekends always have the best fall color!! Thankfully, Mallory and Jon waited, and the fall color was GORGEOUS!! I can’t wait for their June wedding!

Lauren and Garrett were married on the most beautiful June day at Meadowbrook Hall in Rochester, Michigan. Lauren and Garrett planned a simple stress free day, getting ready at the Royal Park Hotel nearby, and then having both their ceremony and reception all at Meadowbrook so they didn't have to drive anywhere. The grounds of Meadowbrook are stunning, so we took all of the photos on site. Here are some of my favorites that tell the story of the day below. Congrats to Lauren and Garrett!

Madison + Tom were married on the first real spring day of 2018. April had been a doozy with snow storms and ice storms, so I was thrilled for them when the snow stopped and the sun and warmth appeared. The venue was the gorgeous as always Dearborn Inn.

Madison and Tom opted for a first look and to do most of their photos prior to the ceremony. Nothing felt rushed, and the day went perfectly as planned. Congratulations Madison and Tom!!

Alicia and Logan have the most romantic story of how they met. Hearing how couples meet is one of the most exciting parts of my job. I have heard some really incredible stories! Alicia and Logan met at mass....in Mallorca, an island off the coast of Spain! Alicia was working on the island for a couple of years, and Logan was in the navy and his ship docked on the island briefly. They both decided to go to mass on the same night in Spain and met at church. They kept in touch but continued on their own paths, which took them around the globe- always to different countries. They finally were able to be together in the U.S. several years later and are now married! They held their wedding at the beautiful Bloomfield Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan in the middle of February during a snow storm! Here are some of my favorites from their wedding day...

Second Photographer: Brian

Florals: Alexandra Zikakis/Morningview Gardens

Venue: Bloomfield Hills Country Club

It took awhile, but fall finally appeared! It was about two-three weeks behind this year!

Abbey and Nathaniel had originally scheduled a beach session in Holland, but due to a super rainy and cold weather, ended up holding out for fall photos instead, and I'm so glad they did....I think their engagement photos turned out gorgeous!

They chose the MSU Arboretum, which is one of my favorite places to shoot in Michigan. The gardens are stunning, and Abbey + Nathaniel, while nervous (everyone is!), totally rocked it with the perfect outfit choices and natural laughter.

Here are a few of my favorites below:

Caitlin Maloney is an East Lansing photographer specializing in weddings, engagement photos, senior pictures, and family portraits. Email caitlinmaloneyphotography@gmail.com to get in touch.

It's that time of year again! Fall means Christmas card and gift giving season are gearing up, so if fall colors, scarves, apple orchards, and boots are your thing and you need holiday cards and gifts, the time is now to reach out and schedule. Availability (especially weekends!) is limited!

This year I'll be offering fall portraits in both Michigan and Rhode Island! Email caitlinmaloneyphotography@gmail.com for more information or to book.

Below are images from a recent extended family session in East Lansing, MI!

Eberly + Taylor planned the most stress free wedding day! They did a first look and the majority of their portraits prior to the ceremony, and then had an hour gap in between the ceremony and reception which gave everyone a bit of time to relax before finishing the portraits during cocktail hour. Nothing felt rushed and Eberly + Taylor seemed so relaxed! For those couples seeking a stress free wedding day, doing a first look can really help relieve some of those time constraints that make everything feel so rushed. And, even though they did a first look and saw each other prior to the ceremony, both Taylor and Eberly were teary eyed and emotional during Eberly's walk down the aisle at the church. First looks don't seem to make that moment any less emotional or less special (at least from a photographer's perspective when capturing these moments!).

Eberly and Taylor were married at the Great Oaks Country Club in Rochester, MI. Eberly's hair and makeup was done by Mie Salon in Rochester, and the floral and event design were by Floral Designs by Lori.

Congratulations, you two! Have an amazing time on your honeymoon in Hawaii!!

Ashley + Keith were married on the most beautiful fall day at the Belle Mer Island House in Newport, Rhode Island. The weather was a gorgeous 71 degrees, sunny, and humidity free....a stark contrast to their engagement shoot, held exactly one year to the day prior, and foggy and chilly! I loved everything about this wedding. It was so relaxed! Ashley and Keith decided to do a first look and all of their photos prior to the wedding so that they could enjoy cocktail hour with their guests, many who had traveled from out of state to come to the wedding. Their ceremony took place at sunset, with sailboats on the water in the distance. I mean, does it really get better than that?

I also loved the details, from Ashley's dress from SAKS, her hair and makeup by Jennie Kay Beauty, the classic cream and greens floral arrangements by Greenlion Design, and music by DJ Luke Renchan. The nautical navy and white napkins, driftwood place cards, and mermaid bottle opener favors were the perfect accents to a Newport nautical wedding.

Congratulations, you two!!