Category Archives: Meet Someone New

Jun 28 2010

Meet Someone New: kmbDetails

Posted in Meet Someone New

Tell me the basics – who are you, what do you do, and why do you do it!

I’m Kate Bell, owner of kmbDetails.  I am a creative person! I create custom event invitations, commemorate life’s milestones and create especially just for you. From save the dates and shower invites, to full wedding stationary packages, I work with couples to create the image that sets the stage for the big day.

As life progresses, moments are made and need to be documented – I also specialize in photography. I LOVE being able to visit a person or family and create the images that will be with them for a lifetime.

When did you decide that this was the industry you wanted to work in?

I knew from when I was a little girl that I wanted to be in a creative field. I studied architecture to build a stronger foundation to build from. This helped me to strengthen visual arrangements and transferring them to paper, in the form of an invite, is an individual creation – fully custom each time. From the photography side, through my many travels and adventures I had a camera in hand to document the story and memories. Often upon return to home, I would create a photo journal to preserve the moments in time.

What is your favorite part about your job?

My favorite part of what I do is working with individuals and couples to create the invite or program to bring their family and friends closer to them in a time of celebration. The final delivery is very exciting! When photographing a new baby or a family as they grow and change, delivering those images is precious. Overall, I love and am honored to have the opportunity to share my creative eye with others in the world.

How far in advance do most of your clients secure your services?

For wedding packages typically 6 months before the event, for one time, smaller events, a minimum of one month in advance is a good idea. Photography services are booked anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months in advance, schedule depending. The holiday season is the busiest time and session spaces fill up quickly.

Why do you think stationery should be a high priority for brides and grooms?

Stationary sets the stage for the wedding. It is the first tangible item family and friends see and hold prior to the actual wedding itself. The save the date can introduce the theme of the entire wedding or be something whimsical and fun while the wedding invite and package coordinate and tie the visual experience together. Thank you notes in the same style serve as a bow tying the wedding “present” together. Having one individual create the stationary package solidifies a unified image and creates the atmosphere for a most wonderful event in the lives of those in love.

How are you unique or different than all the other’s out there?

I am unique as I see the opportunity to work with brides and grooms as an honor rather than just a job. I become tied to the wedding and pour my passion for creativity and perfection into all that I do. Listening is a strong asset that I hold close to my heart and try my hardest to represent the ideas of the couple on paper. Being that I am a small company, I have the ability to seek many creative options to help set the stage so everything is just right.

When you’re not working what do you enjoy doing?

Adventuring! I have a passion to travel, explore and play. I have been exploring the world starting in my back yard and branching out to the entire world around. I have a little boy with whom I am rediscovering so many of the simple things in life through his eyes and experiences. Our adventures together help me to keep a fresh eye and a creative, open heart.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

My husband’s homemade dark chocolate and peppermint ice cream.

Anything else cool you want potential clients to know about you?

When creating for you or capturing moments in your life, I take each opportunity seriously and treat it as if it were my own. Like I said earlier, I am honored to have the opportunity to work with clients and treasure the experience. I am very organized individual, which helps keep the many ideas in order and to pull everything together to create the final product.

Life is an adventure, I am here to share your life adventures with your family and friends, so our experience together should be nothing but amazing!

Also, just recently I rediscovered the beauty of jumping in puddles. Oh the joy of making that big two footed jump into a few inches of standing water…you never know how far that splash might go or how many moments of laughter will follow until you jump in.

Ready? Set. Go! I look forward to hearing from you and being creative with you.

Jun 07 2010

Meet Someone New: Mike Greer Photography

Posted in Meet Someone New

Adam and I attended Mike and Valerie’s open house for their new studio in downtown Farmington.  Seriously – they have the coolest space I’ve seen in a long time!  It’s a funky combination of modern and edgy with traditional and elegant.  My description doesn’t do it justice – you’ve really got to see it yourself!!

Tell me the basics – who are you, what do you do, and why do you do it!

We are Mike and Valerie Greer, owners of Mike Greer Photography.  We are a husband and wife team from Farmington Hills. We have been wedding photographers for 10 years

We love photographing weddings together because we believe in the institution of marriage.  When you are married to the right person it is the closest thing to heaven on earth.  We think marriage gets a bad wrap, which is the source of a lot of jokes.

When did you decide that photography was the industry you wanted to work in?

My Grandfather was a photographer, my Dad is a photographer in New York City, and I thought that I had married an engineer! About 10 years ago Mike came in from lunch to a pink sticky note on his desk.  He and his entire team were let go.  His boss had one year until retirement.  Mike decided then and there that he was going to start something that no one could ever tell him “to get out” again.  Mike Greer Photography was born out of that lay off.  Mike has been photographing wedding full time since then. Mike’s training and precision from engineering spills over into his keen photographic eye.  My art degree combined with growing up always around cameras made this industry the perfect one for us.

What is your favorite part about your job?

We really love being the part of the start of a new family.

How far in advance do most of your clients secure your services?

Typically 2 – 18 months out

Why do you think photography should be a high priority for brides and grooms?

We think it should be a high priority because after everything from the wedding is over…it is pretty much only the photos that remain.  Photography records a family’s history. These images will be shown to the couples children, grandchildren and generations that come after that.

How are you unique or different than all the other photographer’s out there?

We offer our brides a contemporary, fashion forward element.  Our tendency to create portraits that have an urban backdrop also makes us unique.  We love to photograph brides against cityscapes.  The contrast of the formal bridal gown against the city creates a photograph that captures the history of the day that the couple will be able to share with their children and grandchildren.

When you’re not working what do you enjoy doing?

Vacation!  Water!  Beach! Sun!

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Mike has two favorites Butter Pecan (he likes the flavor of the ice cream but does not like the pecans, so he picks them out) and Superman.  Valerie LOVES mint chocolate chip.

Anything else cool you want potential clients to know about you?

We have started a new wing to our business, called Simplee Babee.  We are photographing babies – newborn up to age 1.  We are following them through the first year.

May 03 2010

Meet Someone New: Derek Cookson Photography

Posted in Meet Someone New

Tell me the basics – who are you, what do you do, and why do you do it!

Hello! My name is Derek Cookson, and I am the owner of Derek Cookson Photography, a lifestyle/wedding photographer transplanted from Canada to Royal Oak, Michigan! I am blessed with the greatest job in the world – being invited to share with you and your loved ones the greatest times of your life! Weddings, events, portraits, babies, and everything in between. I consider my style to be modern/colorful, with a ton of fun added for good measure! It’s all part of my philosophy for everything “Life, Love, Laughter – And Photography!”

When did you decide that photography was the industry you wanted to work in?

I always had an interest in all media, from radio, film, and photography in University. But my passion was ignited when I got my first Digital SLR and I was able to learn how to go from taking snapshots, to taking PHOTOGRAPHS! I was suddenly able to capture these emotions, these moments so easily, and I felt a rush from it! Here was an important beautiful moment in peoples lives, and I was able to take one tiny 250th of a second and make it last forever for them…it was a powerful realization and it made me understand how important and intimate photography could be to someone’s life! Once something becomes a passion you no longer have a choice, it’s just what you do!

What is the best part about your job?

To be able to impact someone’s life with something so small as a photograph, and with weddings especially, be a part of someone’s biggest party they’ll ever have in their life!

How far in advance do most of your clients secure your services?

It ranges, as lots of brides are waiting until closer to their wedding day it seems lately, especially with this economy, but I have several weddings booked for 2011 already!

Why do you think photography should be a high priority for brides and grooms?

You are starting your own family on that day – these photos will be your new family’s first real heirlooms. I don’t take photos you will only love a month after the wedding – that part is easy! I want you to love them 30 years from now! Besides, after the wedding is over, the cake is gone and the guests have gone home…photos are all you will have after to remember it by! And anyone who has ever gotten married will tell you, your wedding day flies by SO fast that you will still be spinning the next day, when you look at your new spouse and say “Is it over already? Wow, I don’t remember half of it!” It’s a whirlwind and this is how you keep those memories forever!

How are you unique or different than all the other photographer’s out there?

I place a huge importance not only in the photographs, but the experience, and the fun! I fall in love with every bride I shoot, I consider every one of my brides and grooms FRIENDS, not just clients, and I am there to help become a part of making your experience the best it can be! In regards to weddings, I am the ‘extra’ member of your wedding party; I’ve helped transport flowers, cakes, and even brides to the wedding, so I’m not afraid to roll up my sleeves and be a part of mix. In regards to my photography, one thing that I hear attracts me to certain clients is my love of color – I’m addicted to it! I LOVE to make photos that treat color as a paint, and I’m not afraid to use it liberally! Romance + Rich color tones = HOT!

When you’re not working what do you enjoy doing?

I’m a total geek for cameras and technology. I can tell many cameras models and brands by the sound of their shutter ‘click’. I’m not ashamed to admit that. But besides that, I teach photography lessons, I am obsessed with great music, and I just enjoy finding creative outlets for my time. When your job is to create, are you ever NOT working?

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Hmm, Chocolate and Peanut Butter is fantastic, and so is Orange Sorbet, but there is nothing like a GOOD rich vanilla bean!

Anything else cool you want potential clients to know about you?

Some parting thoughts:

1. I am deeply honored by brides and groom who even consider me to be a part of their special day, and treat everything I do with a rich appreciation. I am an optimistic person to a fault, and I work…WORK…to make sure your day is experienced and remembered to be the best day of your life.

2. I have a huge respect for wedding coordinators and designers. They are there to make your day easier. Embrace them and life is easier.

3. Never tell me you are “not photogenic.” People don’t take bad pictures; photographers take bad pictures of people. My job is to make you look good.

4. You know what else makes you look fantastic? A Smile. Do it more. Never stop.  :)

Apr 19 2010

Meet Someone New: Shutter Booth

Posted in Meet Someone New

Shutter Booth really doesn’t need an introduction!  Want to add something super fun, creative, and memorable to your reception?  Shutter Booth is the answer!

Tell me the basics – who are you, what do you do, and why do you do it!

We are Kimberly & Nolan Gottschalk.  We are the owners and creators of ShutterBooth.  We are primarily a photo booth service company that delivers ShutterBooths to wedding receptions for you and your guests to enjoy and create lifelong memories – but we are so much more than that!

As an example of the “more” we’re talking about, we now offer ShutterYou.com, which is a unique, event-driven photo-sharing website where we host all your ShutterBooth photos from every event in life including all the special events leading up to your big day.  ShutterYou.com also allows you and your guests to post your own pictures from before, during and after your event as well.

ShutterBooth also now offers VideoBooth, ShutterFlips (flip book), Eventis, a unique tool that allows your guests to have the last 8 hours of the photos taken with their camera or phone copied and sent directly to your account at ShutterYou.  We offer so much more and we even have an i-App for Apple Phones.  Feel free to go on our website to learn more about what we offer as well!

We do this, simply put, because we love it!  We’re so passionate about our business and the fun and excitement we bring to our clients.  We feel we fill a unique niche of “fun” that brides and grooms are looking for during their special day.  We love being a part of “the day” but we also enjoy the process leading up to it and the service we continue to offer even after.

When did you decide that this was the industry you wanted to work in?

I don’t really think there was a point where I said “special events is my calling”, however after hosting the first event I fell in love.  We started ShutterBooth while searching for a great gift for my brother’s wedding.  In my search, I found that a Hollywood celebrity, Christina Aguilera had an old fashion photo booth at her wedding.   In the hopes of procuring one for my brother’s wedding I hit a roadblock.  At this point I set out to create my own.  Here we are today with 24 family owned offices, great hosts, just a huge ShutterFamily.

What is your favorite part about your job?

The people we get to work with.  Our clients are wonderful, our hosts and staff are like family and the other family owned offices are like brothers and sisters.  We love all the people internally and externally we get to befriend everyday.

We also love being able to be a part of someone’s special day.  It’s rewarding for us when a bride and groom will trust us enough to let us be a part of the most special day of their lives!

How far in advance do most of your clients secure your services?

We go both ways – currently, we have already started booking for 2011 and are starting to become fully booked for certain dates in 2010.  The other end is we have been called the day of the wedding by panic-stricken grooms and event coordinators both with similar stories.  “I need ShutterBooth to come to my wedding today!  We had other vendors booked, however they can’t come through.”

To ensure you have ShutterBooth for your special day, we encourage you to book early though as we only have a limited number of hosts and booths – and once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Why do you think something fun like ShutterBooth should be a high priority for brides and grooms?

ShutterBooth adds a “fun factor” to your wedding memories that you just can’t get from anything else.  At your wedding, there will be many guests from all different facets of your life coming together as one for the evening.  ShutterBooth helps to “mix up” all your different friends and family members who may not know each other.  We’ve often been told by our couples that their crazy Aunt Linda was in the ShutterBooth laughing and having a blast with their college roommates – something that probably would not have happened had ShutterBooth not been there!

ShutterBooth creates a buzz and gets your family and friends up and moving throughout the room.  And with a photo CD sent to you following your event, or getting a scrapbook (which is ready to be brought home that night) you get to see a whole different side of your wedding and experience those memories for years to come!

How are you unique or different than all the other photo booths out there?

We feel the number one thing that sets us a part is our experience.  We know we can assure you a quality product and promise to be a positive reflection of you before, during, and after your wedding.  However, all of this would mean nothing if we didn’t have the longstanding track record to back it up.

Reputation in industry, good or bad, can follow you around for a long time.  We’ve been around for three years now and have over 1300 happy Michigan clients who would be glad to tell you how much they enjoyed ShutterBooth on their special day!

The next most important thing that sets us a part is our professional hosts.  Our hosts are specially trained to entertain and interact with your guests.  If you think about it, no one will interact more with your guests one-on-one than your ShutterBooth host will (and YOU of course) – and we recognize this!

We know our hosts are a reflection of you during your event which is why we are so selective in our hiring and our standards.  Our hosts recognize the importance of giving your guests a great experience and being a reflection of you; which is why we call them hosts and not just “attendants.”

Lastly the experience we can create for you long before and after your event with, Save the Date photos, Video Booth,  ShutterFlips, ShutterBooth i-App, ShutterYou, Eventis, Live from ShutterBooth and the list goes on.  We provide you options so that we can work together to customize your experience.  Once we know we are on your team anything we offer is at your disposal, so at any point if you want to change things around or add to the experience we can do it.

When you’re not working what do you enjoy doing?

I suppose like anyone else, we most enjoy spending time with friends and family.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

I’m definitely a Mint Chocolate Chip kind of girl; I like to keep it simple but good!

Anything else cool you want potential clients to know about you?

We have a lot of new and exciting projects that we think are pretty cool for 2010.  We are so excited about them, but they must be revealed in due time!  So we want you to keep checking back with us for the latest and greatest either through our website or you can follow us on Twitter or become a fan of ours on Facebook.

Apr 05 2010

Meet Someone New: Nicole Haley Photography

Posted in Meet Someone New

I met Nicole by chance while having coffee with another wedding vendor – now I can’t for the opportunity to work with her!  Be sure to check out her website and blog – and read below for a bit more info on Nicole!

Tell me the basics – who are you, what do you do, and why do you do it!

I’m Nicole Haley, owner of Nicole Haley Photography. I photograph weddings and I love doing it! I love the emotion and the little glow in the eyes of a bride and groom on their wedding day and I love that I can be a small part in capturing those emotions so they can relive them for the rest of their lives. I also photograph portraits of people young and old. I love being able to capture a moment in someone’s life and, hopefully, that moment will always be beautifully remembered through the photographs.

When did you decide that photography was what you wanted to do?

I knew back in college that I would be very happy in photography but, for whatever reason, I ended up pursuing other things. It wasn’t until I started planning my own wedding three years ago that I fell in love with wedding photography and knew it was definitely something I could see myself doing day after day. The thought of being there to capture the emotion on the most important day in a couple’s life together thrilled me and once I saw how creative and fresh wedding photography could be, I knew it was perfect for me.

What is your favorite part about your job?

It’s a toss up! I have two favorites. One of them is getting to meet so many interesting people. Between the clients I work with and the other industry vendors I meet, it is so rewarding to be surrounded by all different kinds of people.  I love hearing the life stories of those around me so that has been so fun. My other favorite is being present on a couple’s wedding day and the feeling of capturing pure emotion and happiness which they will be able to look at and experience forever. Okay, I lied, I have three favorites! My third favorite is getting to see the many different ways a wedding can be celebrated. From different cultures to different colors, it’s always exciting to see something new.

How far in advance do most of your clients secure your services?

Most clients get in touch with me about 8-12 months before their wedding date, though some brides have already reached out for 2012!

Why do you think photography should be a high priority for brides & grooms?

When I was getting married, photography was my top priority. I knew the flowers would die and the dress would be preserved in a box (or, umm, hung on the back of my closet door so I can sneak a peek every now and then) but that I could ALWAYS sit down and look at the photographs from that day. And, for me, the most important thing I can do is to capture the emotion that is present on a wedding day so not only can my clients look at their beautiful details for years to come but they can also look at their images and remember, and maybe even relive, the emotion of their day.

How are you unique or different than other photographers?

Well, it might sound obvious but no one else can be me. I bring to my photography my own set of eyes and ideas. I bring my appreciation for the little things in life and I try to bring out the little things in my clients that they love.

When you’re not working what do you enjoy doing?

I love being outdoors. Any day that I can go hiking is a good day and it’s better yet if I can spend the night under the stars. I love to cook and to prepare fresh food. I love traveling to new places and photographing life and the adventures along the way. I love visiting with friends and family and enjoying hot tea. I just enjoy a good adventure!

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Ben and Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk without the Super Fudge Chunks. So, essentially, you’re left with amazing chocolate ice cream and insanely delicious chocolate covered almonds. Mmm!

Anything else cool you want potential clients to know about you?

I would love for potential clients to know that, before I photography them, I want to get to know THEM. Often, people think a photographer is just there to press the shutter and make pretty images but I believe that in order to make truly beautiful images, it’s best if I know what makes them smile naturally and what makes their happiness come out for the camera.

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