Being a wedding photographer in Detroit is not a means to make a lot of dollars, but it most definitely leaves you with a wildly rich soul. Last night , I got to capture a beautiful couple in one of the most stunning wedding venues in Detroit , the beautiful Shinola . Rachel and Alex hosted a flawless event surrounded by people from all corners of the country who came to celebrate THEM. The details were clearly, thoughtfully curated. Paying attention to what was most important to them and it showed. Absolutely, a class act.
Behind the lens, they let me be a silent observer—a fly on the wall to moments that complete strangers aren’t normally invited to : Rachel, the bride, laughing with her closest person. The groom, Alex, sharing bourbon and jokes with his groomsmen.
To walk into these spaces as a stranger and quickly earn trust is humbling beyond measure. Every time I’m invited into this “bubble,” I am reminded that this isn’t just about photography. It’s about witnessing. Witnessing love, family, and the bonds that tie people together.
Photography is not just about taking a beautiful, quality photograph , it’s also about taking all those vibes and putting it into your perspective , putting it into a frame , creating that visual memory, just the way that you see. How no one else in the whole world sees it. That’s the magic!
The day unfolded perfectly!
And when it was time for the ceremony & speeches. That’s when good vibes took on a life of their own. Dear lord was that amazing. The officiant had a seriously moving service. The kind that makes you fall in love with your partner all over again.
Their guests put so much thought into their speeches. For what seems to be an impossible task. To articulate how important the bride and groom have been in their lives, what they mean to each other and just how deep their connection has been all of these years.
I can never really explain how it feels to be a wedding phtoographer. But that wave of energy always hits me like a ton of bricks. It makes me so happy to see the best of families and people coming together to celebrate love and define what it means to them. It’s contagious.
Last night was a masterful display of joy, from the laughter to the quiet tears, delicious cocktails and killer dance moves. It’s exhausting work no doubt because I left my heart right out on the table when it was all over. I pour myself out from the depths of my well for these lovely humans I’ve only just met. I cut through the shallow to quickly get to core of who they are and how they love. And honestly, the next day, it leaves me wanting for more. It leaves me actually missing them.
I wake up tired and achy today, after a ten hour day of running around the city. I missed a celebration of my own with my girlfriends and a date with my boys. I know what I’m about to say is not popular because I’m supposed to prioritize everyone who I love most over anything else. But you guys, it was worth it. I woke up happy with tired feet and a very, very full soul because I got to experience Rachel , Alex and all their best people celebrate their wild love in a wild way. THAT, is worth it’s weight in gold.
Ready to see your own love story through photographs at the beautiful Shinola ? Let’s chat and make those dreams a stunning reality.
genevieve devries is an on-site photographer. based in plymouth, michigan, i serve southeast michigan and the greater wayne county, washtenaw county and oakland county areas, including plymouth, canton, livonia, westland, northville, novi, farmington/farmington hills, ann arbor, ypsilanti, belleville, whitmore lake, saline, dexter, salem, south lyon, wayne, garden city, new hudson, wixom, walled lake, brighton, milford, southfield, west bloomfield, bloomfield hills, birmingham, and beyond.
