Priceless Photography, Inc. : Wedding and Portrait Photography for Traverse City (Northern Michigan) & Beyond! http://pricelessphotography.com/ Wedding and portrait photography with an editorial/lifestyle flair. Fresh, creative, and professional photographic service for Traverse City (Northern Michigan) and beyond! Specializing in wedding photography and portrait photography including: couples, pregnancy, children and families. We are also available for editorial freelance, commercial lifestyle, and stock photography. en Copyright 2012 Sat, 05 May 2012 20:39:48 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Halley + Nathan : Wedding {Leland, Michigan & Traverse City, Michigan} I'm not sure where to even begin with words on how much it meant to be a part of Halley and Nate's wedding.  As we go a ways back, and I photographed Halley's brother and sister-in-law's wedding, I knew it would be an extra memorable day plus a fabulous way to start the wedding season.  Thanks for sharing your day with us as it was a huge honor.  Wishing you all the best and a very happy one week anniversary!   ~ Beth



]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2012/05/halley-nate-lelandtraverse-city-michigan.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2012/05/halley-nate-lelandtraverse-city-michigan.html Weddings Sat, 05 May 2012 20:39:48 -0500 Album Design : Family Portfolio {Traverse City, Michigan} I was certain that I would be packing it up and relocating remotely this winter for at least one month.  I self-declared it last spring and recanted by fall.  My reasoning?  I needed  winter to clean up the studio, physically (i.e. floor repair, new imagery on walls, clearing clutter) and inwardly (i.e. database reorganization, blogsite overhaul, summer 2012 preparation).  The mildness of this particular, northern michigan winter has made it easier for me to tackle my "to-do" list so I'm just fine with my decision to stay put.  

Below is my latest creation, a sample album I designed to showcase some of my favorite, lifestyle family imagery.  I'm super excited to see the finished product.  Don't worry, I'll share the results right here.  Promise!   - Beth


]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2012/02/album-design-family-portfolio.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2012/02/album-design-family-portfolio.html Children Families Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:13:38 -0500 Published : Traverse Magazine's My North Wedding {Northern Michigan} I am thrilled to share Jessica and Chris' Homestead wedding, which was recently chosen for the cover and for a feature story in Traverse Magazine's My North Wedding!

The incredibly talented Brian Confer was my second shooter, so of course I was very fortunate to have him along.  Thank you, Brian!

This blog post is simply showcasing and celebrating our recent good news that Jessica and Chris' wedding has been published!  Many thanks to those involved for making us feel welcome and for helping (by doing your jobs and sharing your talents) us to fully document the day with ease.  Most importantly, to Jessica and Chris and your love for one another.  Cheers to the two of you and to the years to come!    - Beth

Location : The Homestead  Officiant : Mike Riggins
Florist : Marla Courtney Wood  Cake : Aunt B's  
Hair/Makeup Stylist : Shari Stelzer



 
]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2012/01/published-traverse-magazines-my-north-wedding-northern-michigan.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2012/01/published-traverse-magazines-my-north-wedding-northern-michigan.html The Gossip Weddings Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:44:14 -0500 Kristina & Ryan : 5th Anniversary Portraits {Traverse City, Michigan} Kristina and Ryan contacted me last spring when they began making plans for their five year anniversary celebration.  As they had once lived in the Traverse City area, they decided to venture to Northern Michigan to spend their celebratory weekend (and take some photos).

Kristina and Ryan, time spent with you was an adventure and full of lots of laughter.  Here's to the two of you and to many more anniversaries ahead!    - Beth




]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/11/kristina-ryan-5th-anniversary-portrait-session.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/11/kristina-ryan-5th-anniversary-portrait-session.html Anniversary Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:36:54 -0500 Weddings 2011 : Part One

What, it's mid-September?  How did this happen...especially since I began drafting this post the first of this month?!  Today I self-declared it's officially fall as I ate two ripened apples off of a local tree, the trees are definitely beginning to take on a hint of changing colors, plus my Patagonia Better Sweater has re-entered my wardrobe on a daily basis.  (My favorite piece of clothing, btw, and a must have if you live in a climate similar to Northern Michigan.)  Although I've managed to always put "blog post" at the top of my to-do list since May, it's never happened.  Items further on down have always seemed to overtake me in precedence.

I'm finally dedicating the time for posting new imagery on this blogsite so here we go.  Scroll down and you'll be on your way!

Happy Fall - It's here, embrace it!    -Beth

Heather & Jeff's Wedding



Laura and Nathan's Wedding



]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/09/weddings-2011-part-one.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/09/weddings-2011-part-one.html Weddings Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:17:29 -0500 Bridal Shoot : Ali's Handmade Dress Ali was married in 2009, and is a custom wedding dress designer/maker.  It would be a pretty good inference, and an accurate one, to say she designed and sewed her own wedding dress.  I cannot take credit for taking Ali's wedding photos, Jan-Michael Stump was her photographer, but I did have the opportunity to work with her in the studio for a bridal portrait shoot.  We played with different variations during her session, including using strobes vs. natural light, with and without the red rose bouquet (arranged by Ali's mom), as well as the red lipstick which we decided we wanted to try mid-session.  Thank goodness we have a salon, Tonic Salon & Gallery, next door to the studio so I popped in and was promptly given a tube of lipstick to borrow thanks to Shawnee!

To learn more about Ali, the best link I may give you is a recent article in The Northern Express.  It perfectly describes Ali's process when designing her wedding gowns, including her own.  To reach Ali, click here to email her.  Enjoy some of our top picks from the session below!   - Beth






]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/05/bridal-shoot-alis-handmade-dress.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/05/bridal-shoot-alis-handmade-dress.html Weddings Mon, 02 May 2011 15:35:52 -0500 Retro Moment : 80ties Spring Break nsb.jpgLook what I just unearthed!  Spring Break circa the 80's, me and my Dad enjoying some quality beach time.  I love this photo as it brings back memories of simple joy and innocence right down to my grandma, hipster-cut swimsuit and my Dad's yellow mesh back and front padded baseball style hat.  Had my father saved that hat I bet it would now sell quickly on Ebay as it's back in style.  My swimsuit?  Not so much.

We had no idea what email was, definitely did not have cell phones and we probably went back to the condo and cooked dinner together as a family.  We didn't see this photo until after our vacation because it was shot on film and I'm pretty certain the local drugstore did not have one-hour processing.  Those were the days! 

Now excuse me as I must go update my Facebook page, return a text, and Tweet something clever because it's been a couple days (which is making me look extinct in cyberspace in the 21st century).  I then need to post-produce a photo shoot and retouch another because it's no longer on the lab's shoulders but mine.  No Spring Break for me.  No time.  Thank goodness for the 80ties!    - Beth


]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/04/filtering-why-is-it-trendy.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/04/filtering-why-is-it-trendy.html Life & Such Tue, 12 Apr 2011 11:10:47 -0500 Hahnemühle Fine Art Bamboo + Vada Color = We Heart You! I was already hooked on Hahnemühle photographic papers so of course when they launched greener alternatives I jumped with joy!  One of the greener alternatives presented itself in the form of paper made from bamboo.  A test run later by our local printer, Vada Color, and I was hooked.  Not only is it the consistency of a fine art, watercolor paper but it also has a super-rich quality when printed upon, at least that's how I've chosen to describe it.  In terms of being archival, according to Hahnemühle and their longevity test, 100 years.  Legitimate!

Recently one of our clients ordered the very first bamboo custom print order.  Ecstatic, I took photos of the bamboo photos to share right here on our blog as well as to prove why I love them.  I hope you agree!   - Beth

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]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/04/we-heart-bamboo.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/04/we-heart-bamboo.html The Gossip Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:09:06 -0500 Erica + Troy : Engagement Session {Traverse City, Michigan}

I am going backward in time over the past week as I'm unearthing many great photos that I've never shared on my blog, in my portfolio, or with anyone other than my clients really.  The spring bug bit me early, so I'm on a mission to clean up and cross off the very the eldest items on my checklist.  I am grateful as a week ago I was not even close to the word "inspired".  

So my recent brilliant idea is that during my spring cleaning/editing/retouching binge I am going to pull my favorites (as I see them) and share them right here on my blog.  Stay tuned if you are interested in what I will find...

Back to this current posting of engagement images.  They were taken over a year ago and Erica and Troy are now married.  I'm such a prompt blogger!  The summer of 2009, and in the months following, a graffiti artist popped up around town known for spraying hearts as their "tag".  Thank you, graffiti artist, for a few great backdrops.  The only thing I would like to point out is you could have gone one step further and chosen complimentary colors to the walls you were graffiti-ing.  So close to perfection (in my opinion of course)!     - Beth


]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/03/erica-troy-engagement-session-traverse-city-michigan.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/03/erica-troy-engagement-session-traverse-city-michigan.html Engagements Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:22:59 -0500 Melissa + Ryan : Engagement Session {Pentwater, Michigan} It was one of those bipolar winter days when we traveled to Pentwater from Traverse City to photograph Melissa and Ryan's winter engagement session.   We took our chances of driving through pockets of bad weather and the warnings of early evening wind.  We hoped we would end up on the lucky side of things. It's a bit like playing roulette at times with the Northern Michigan weather.  Although the collective would argue it could have been warmer, and I agree, the session was a great success.  Thank you, Melissa and Ryan!  Looking forward to your wedding in September and seeing Pentwater sans snow and bustling with activity.    - Beth





]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/03/melissa-ryan-engagment-session-glen-arbor.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/03/melissa-ryan-engagment-session-glen-arbor.html Engagements Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:42:09 -0500 Andi + Kyle : Happy First Anniversary!

Although I'd cast my vote for warmer months in Northern Michigan, there is something to be said about winter engagement, wedding and family/children photo shoots:  I LOVE THEM!  Anyone brave enough to endure the outdoor elements and stand in front of my camera is a rock star in my opinion.  Not to mention the uniqueness of imagery that results because of my clients' bravery...

Andi and Kyle were married one year ago at The Hagerty Conference Center in Traverse City.  When they chose me as their wedding photographer I did a small dance of joy as I am always thrilled when I book a winter wedding.  Kyle is serving in the U.S. Coast Guard so The Hagerty Conference Center was a perfect venue as it is within the Great Lakes Maritime Academy.  Andi and Kyle were one of the most laid back wedding couples I have ever worked with, plus Andi is a photographer herself, so they had the perfect mindset when we went outdoors for photographs. 

As I look back on the past year and all the kind words that have been emailed to me by clients, one of Andi's emails always stands out in my mind.  She wrote that her and Kyle had "been married for six months on Friday, but every time I look through them [the photos] I go back to that day.  They've been a great help while Kyle's away on deployment."  

Thank-you, Andi and Kyle, for your true love, a winter wedding, and the sacrifices you are making for our country and our freedom.  May you be celebrating together on your first anniversary and may it be the first of many yet to come!   - Beth



]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/02/happy-1st-anniversary-andi-kyle.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/02/happy-1st-anniversary-andi-kyle.html Weddings Sun, 20 Feb 2011 08:57:40 -0500 Ringing in the New Year : Wedding Bands

What is the origin of wedding bands and the deep rooted tradition of wearing them?  Of course I went straight to Google to find my answer!

According to eZine Articles, "The now-famous wedding band is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt, where it is said that plant sections were fashioned in circles to signify never-ending and immortal love.  It was thought that the fourth finger (which we now know as the ring finger) contained a special vein that was connected directly to the heart, and therefore this became the official finger for the wedding band."

Of course over time other cultures and ethnicities have had their take on wedding bands, but the main underlying meaning and symbolism has endured over time.

Here's to the year ahead filled with much love.  And to those of you in love, may it lead to an engagement, a gorgeous set of rings, and eternal love!    - Beth



]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/01/ringing-in-the-new-year-wedding-bands.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2011/01/ringing-in-the-new-year-wedding-bands.html Weddings Sat, 01 Jan 2011 19:31:21 -0500 Happy Holidays from Priceless Photography! trees_2.jpg
To a joyful present, a well remembered past, and a magnificent New Year!



]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2010/12/happy-holidays-from-priceless-photography.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2010/12/happy-holidays-from-priceless-photography.html Life & Such Sat, 25 Dec 2010 20:27:43 -0500 Emerging from blogging silence with Bamboo! bamboo_8788.jpgThere are many logical explanations on why I've chosen not to blog the past seven months.  The main reason is my clients come first as without them Priceless Photography really is nothing.  In this economy, plus living in Michigan, I feel truly blessed to have plenty of work.  My challenge has been learning how to balance it all and I'm staring this challenge in the face and not backing down until I win. 

I am so thankful to live in a great community, surrounded by family and friends who love and support me unconditionally, and as I recently returned from a trip to a large city I realized how much our open, natural spaces mean to me.  I also realized, more than ever, how important it is to incorporate greener practices into Priceless Photography so that we tread as lightly as possible on our precious planet.

We recently applied and have been accepted into two highly regarded organizations recognizing companies that incorporate greener practices into their business; Greener Photography and The Green Bride Guide.  I am very proud that Priceless Photography is now affiliated with these organizations and am striving to learn more from them as we move forward in our commitment.

Onto Bamboo...part of the title of this blog post!  We recently switched from burning wedding clients' high resolution imagery on DVDs to bamboo flash drives complete with our logo embedded onto them for an extra splash of flair.  I'm scratching my head as to why I didn't think of this sooner, but thanks to our fine peers at Greener Photography an idea was shared and we latched on to it.  We are also about to launch a new option for our custom prints by printing on bamboo paper.  We'll be having our bamboo prints printed locally to not only save on shipping emissions but to support a local business partner, Vada Color.  

More posts to come soon on our blog plus more green practices up our sleeves to share with you.  Stay tuned!    - Beth


]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2010/11/emerging-from-blogging-silence.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2010/11/emerging-from-blogging-silence.html The Gossip Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:29:58 -0500 Engaged : Emily & Justin {Glen Arbor, Michigan} I've been wanting to share some imagery from Emily and Justin's winter engagement session for awhile. Of course I waited until spring flowers were blooming to sit down and choose my favorites from their session to post on our blog! 

The one thing I would like zero in on in this particular blog post is how lucky we are to have great couples every year to work with.  Emily and Justin are no exception.  The day we met in Glen Arbor to take their engagement photos was clear but cold.  Once down on the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, too, you may as well knock an additional ten degrees off your thermometer!  Not once did Emily and Justin complain and we took photos for over two hours.  Of course we let them warm up from time to time, but they were troopers and because of it they have awesome photos!   - Beth







]]> http://pricelessphotography.com/2010/04/engaged-emily-justin.html http://pricelessphotography.com/2010/04/engaged-emily-justin.html Engagements Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:49:14 -0500