Widdis Photography

Adelaide and Rod in Bloomfield Hills

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:51:00 +0000

On a windy, warm autumn day Adelaide and Rod were married among families and friends at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Bloomfield Hills. The wedding reception was held at the Village Club in Bloomfield Hills. The grounds of the Village Club were in their full fall finery as the trees were just beginning to turn and the sedum and mums were at their prime. Adelaide and Rod planned a beautiful day with touches of their personality sprinkled throughout. A loose bouquet of antique roses and eucalyptus leaves matched her understated, but elegant dress and Rod wore a classic tuxedo with bow tie that matched his refined taste. We had a wonderful time and look forward to photographing Adelaide's sister, Julia's wedding next fall.

Susin and Kevin in the Ann Arbor Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:14:00 +0000

I spent the morning playing in the snow with Susin and Kevin in Ann Arbor. I didn't really play in the snow much, but they were quite good sports to brave the cold and blustery morning for their engagement photos. Watch out Kevin! Susin has good aim with the snowballs!

WATCH OUT KEVIN!!

Stephanie and Darin at Pine Knob Mansion

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:02:00 +0000

The Pine Knob Mansion sits on the highest peak in southeastern Michigan and was the perfect setting for Stephanie and Darin's wedding. The building is full of character and the grounds are exquisite - great for wedding portraits. Because of the unique setting - a gazebo with stunning views and the beautiful hall - the wedding ceremony and reception took place at the mansion.

Mattie and Chad - Sunny Autumn Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:52:00 +0000

Mattie and Chad were married earlier this fall on a lovely sunny afternoon. The wedding ceremony took place at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Eastpointe - the same church her parents were married in years before.

Daylight was disappearing as we arrived at Blossom Heath in St. Clair Shores. The sun was setting quickly behind the beautiful willow trees - a perfect location for bridal portraits. Blossom Heath was built as a roadhouse in 1911 and was notorious for illegal drinking and gambling during prohibition. Mattie and Chad's evening was filled with dancing and singing as the family and friends celebrated the new couple.

Lauren and Jason - Summer Wedding at The Dearborn Inn

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:44:00 +0000

Lauren and Jason were married on a beautiful sunny summer day at The Dearborn Inn in Dearborn. The sun shone brightly through the trees behind the gazebo where the couple exchanged their vows. Clear blue skies continued all day and into the late summer evening - a perfect summer day. Beth Conway of Beth's Weddings assisted Lauren and Jason in creating their beautiful day.

In 1931, Henry Ford commissioned Albert Kahn to design a hotel to service the nearby airport in Dearborn. The Colonial Revival style hotel is situated on 23 acres and features a small colonial village complete with replicas of famous American homes. Guests can stay in homes that are reproductions of the homes of famous Americans, like Walt Whitman or Edgar Allan Poe.

Liberty and Brad - Greenfield Village Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 04:09:00 +0000

Liberty and Brad were married on a late summer evening at Greenfield Village in Dearborn. The ceremony at Martha Mary Chapel began just after the afternoon crowds cleared the streets of the historic village. Once they were married, the couple was able to ring the bell - a long standing tradition at the chapel.

Guests were then directed to the village's antique carousel for rides while the bride and groom took a drive around the village in the white wedding carriage. The lovely evening concluded at historic Eagle Tavern, built in 1831 in Clinton, Michigan as a stagecoach stop for weary (and thirsty) travelers. The tavern, especially at night, is beautiful and intimate, with no electric lights. The only illumination is candlelight - creating a perfectly romantic setting. Beth Conway of Beth's Weddings helped Liberty and Brad in creating their elegant and beautiful day.

Sarah and Eric - Ann Arbor Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Sarah and Eric were married on a lovely summer Saturday in Ann Arbor. After everyone was dressed and ready for the big day, the families sat down to a spirited game of spoons. I'd never seen this game played before and the pace was fast and spoons were flying!

The Kerrytown Concert House was the perfect spot for their intimate and very personal ceremony. After the ceremony, guests walked across the street to dinner at Zingerman's Events on Fourth (formerly the restaurant Eve). Everything about the day was a reflection of the couple's personality - the relaxed and intimate settings they chose and especially the structure of the day, which emphasized the most important aspects of a wedding day - spending time with those closest to you and celebrating a new life together. I especially enjoyed seeing the handmade books that Sarah and son Liem made together. The stories and pictures told of fantastic space adventures and fun times. I'm sure the real stories of the family's life together will be just as exciting.

Elizabeth and Calvin - Cherry Farm Wedding in Northern Michigan

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 11:19:00 +0000

It was in the cherry orchard of Calvin’s family where the couple said their vows as their guests gathered on the hillside sitting on hay bales overlooking Elk Lake, an inland glacier lake that sits just east of Lake Michigan’s East Grand Traverse Bay.

Liz is no stranger to weddings – she is a talented floral designer and owns Fiori Flowers in Boulder and did all the amazing bouquets and arrangements for her day.

Liz and Calvin wanted a laid back affair so they threw a backyard barbecue complete with a pig from a nearby farm. Tents were set up down the road in another part of the orchard near the barn that hosted the dessert table, a pinata for the children and the band.

The evening brought on the cool northern Michigan air, a full moon and everyone gathered around a roaring bonfire as fireworks entertained the guests at the end of the night.

©Widdis Photography

Devoted to Detroit - Focus: Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 16:39:00 +0000

The next installment in Widdis Photography's Devoted to Detroit campaign goes to support Focus: Hope, an institution in Detroit for 43 years that works to bridge the racial divide by combating hunger through its food program and offering career training. http://www.focushope.edu/Default.aspx

Each month, Kathy and Brian choose an area charity or organization whose aim is to make the city and region a better place to live.

Focus Hope was founded in 1968 by Father William Cunningham and Eleanor Josaitis. Their mission statement reads as follows:

"Recognizing the dignity and beauty of every person, we pledge intelligent and practical action to overcome racism, poverty and injustice. And to build a metropolitan community where all people may live in freedom, harmony, trust and affection. Black and white, yellow, brown and red from Detroit and its suburbs of every economic status, national origin and religious persuasion we join in this covenant."

Back in 2007, the Detroit Free Press launched the Shining Light Awards Regional Cooperation Awards, which honor individuals who are making important contributions to regional cooperation, progress, and understanding in Metropolitan Detroit. Eleanor Josaitis was an inaugural recipient and her name now graces one of the three honors – the Eleanor Josaitis “Unsung Hero” Award. See the video below about Eleanor, who passed away this summer, and Focus Hope produced by Kathy’s colleague Free Press’ Brian Kaufman.

http://www.freep.com/videonetwork/48953050001?odyssey=mod|tvideo|newswell

Throughout the months of August and September, a portion of any wedding we book will go to support Focus: Hope.

Kristina and Nate

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:50:00 +0000

Kristina and Nate were married earlier this summer on a beautiful, cloudless day in Detroit. The wedding ceremony was at Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in Hamtramck. We had a bit of time for wedding portraits, so we went to a few of our favorite spots in the city. First, to the James Scott Fountain on Belle Isle. Belle Isle is such an important piece of the city and the fountain feels like the heart of Belle Isle.

The korovai, a Ukrainian wedding bread, is presented by the parents to the bride and groom as a symbol of the family and community. At the top of the korovai are two birds, who represent the bride and groom. The birds are surrounded by decorative ornaments, representing the rest of the community. The bread is a beautiful part of Ukrainian tradition and embodies hope, love and prosperity.

The Island seemed like a perfect spot for a few portraits of Kristina with her Venetian Bird Mask. The mask features a long curved beak and is a replica of the type worn by physicians during the Black Death of 14th century Europe. The masks were filled with aromatic herbs and spices to overcome the "bad air" of the plague. Kristina is a 21st century physician, and therefore not required to wear the bird mask when seeing patients.

We had a bit of time before going to the reception at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Warren, so we stopped by one of my other favorite spots in the city - The Velodrome at Dorais Park. The racetrack was abandoned for many years and recently cleaned up by a group of volunteers and bike enthusiasts. It's not exactly a smooth track or even a perfect spot for portraits, but the track is set in a beautiful park in northeast Detroit.

Colleen and Keith - Summer Sun

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:59:00 +0000

It seems a bit unusual to remark on the weather in July. It's hot, yes. It's supposed to be hot - it is July in Michigan after all. Having said that - Colleen and Keith's wedding day was beautiful, full of July sun and yes, lots of July heat. But it didn't matter too much to anyone - the ceremony at Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak was beautiful (and air conditioned). We traveled to Grosse Pointe for portraits by the water and everyone managed to stay cool and the reception at the Community House in Birmingham was relaxed and elegant.

Devoted To Detroit - Christ Child House

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:00:00 +0000

The next installment in Widdis Photography's Devoted to Detroit campaign targets Christ Child House, a residential treatment facility for boys living in foster care. Each month, Kathy and Brian choose an area charity or organization whose aim is to make the city and region a better place to live.

Christ Child House has been providing care for children in the Detroit area since 1948. Since opening its doors 60 years ago, Christ Child House has evolved dramatically as the needs of children and families in the community have changed. Today, Christ Child House, with a bed capacity of 31, is an intensive residential treatment center providing services to about 45 boys each year, ages 5-17, who suffer from severe developmental, emotional, and behavioral impairments as a result of years of severe abuse and neglect.

The mission of Christ Child House is to provide quality professional and comprehensive treatment programs for children and families at risk through therapeutic services focused on individual treatment. The agency's philosophy "It's never too late to have a happy childhood" guides it in its special mission.

Kathy saw firsthand the work being done at Christ Child House as part of a team of journalists from the Detroit Free Press who told the story of the boys living at home. The Emmy award winning five-part documentary and stories can be seen at www.freep.com/christchild.

Throughout the month of July, a portion of any wedding we book will go to support Christ Child House.

Mallie and Aaron - Summer Morning at Belle Isle

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:24:00 +0000

I recently did an engagement photo session with Mallie and Aaron on Belle Isle, one of my favorite places in the world. The morning sun was warm and by the end of our time together it was getting close to hot - though not as hot as Qatar, where they will be living in the fall. In the meantime, there are no clouds in the sky and a beautiful wedding quickly approaching.

Devoted to Detroit - Historic Fort Wayne Coalition

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:23:00 +0000

Summer is finally here and Widdis Photography is happy to announce our June installment of Devoted to Detroit will go to support the Historic Fort Wayne Coalition.

Fort Wayne was built by the Americans in the 1840s at the point on the Detroit River closest to British Canada. A five point star fort was slated to have the most up to date cannon capable of firing on the Canadian shore as well as ships sailing the river. The Detroit fort would be named for General Anthony Wayne whose defeat of the British at the Fallen Timbers in 1796 resulted in the United States occupation of the Northwest Territories. Diplomacy intervened, however, in the mission of Fort Wayne. Before any cannon were even procured for the new fort, the United States signed a treaty with Britain that called for diplomatic solutions to their territorial disputes. The new Fort was re-commissioned as an infantry garrison, but did not see any troops until the outbreak of the Civil War, when the first Michigan soldiers reported for duty. It became a primary induction center for Michigan troops entering battle in every U. S. conflicts from the Civil War to Vietnam. Among other duties over the course of it's 125 year use as an Army base, it served as an infantry training station, housed the Chaplin school for a few years, and was the primary procurement location for the vehicles and weapons manufactured in Detroit during both World Wars. Also during WW II the Fort housed prisoners of war from Italy.

If you've never visited Fort Wayne it is well worth the trip. Throughout the summer and fall months, they have vintage baseball games, ghost hunts and Civil Wars Days - http://historicfortwaynecoalition.com/cwdays.html - are July 9-10th. The Fort is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM - 4 PM. In addition, the members of the Coalition provide living history interpretations to school and community groups interested in learning about the history of the Fort, as well as the lives of military personnel or civilians who lived during various time periods in our nation's existence. These time periods include colonial, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, as well as Korean and Vietnam Wars.

The coalition, made up of all volunteers, works closely with the City of Detroit Recreation Department and other groups to maintain and promote this Detroit jewel.

Throughout the month of June, a portion of any wedding we book will go to support the Historic Fort Wayne Coalition.

Devoted to Detroit: Summer Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:24:00 +0000

Photo by Susan Tusa/Detroit Free Press

The next installment in Widdis Photography's Devoted to Detroit campaign is the Detroit Free Press' Summer Dreams initiative. Each month, Kathy and Brian choose an area charity or organization whose aim is to make the city and region a better place to live.

In 1992, late Free Press Publisher Neal Shine decided it was time to do more than chronicle the lives of so many disadvantaged children in Michigan.

A campaign called Children First was launched, with an aggressive reporting emphasis on making things better for children along with outreach that could provide direct help. In 1993, Summer Dreams was born.

With help from The Skillman Foundation, which provided up to $500,000 in matching funds each year, and generous Free Press readers, they've put over $17.5 million toward equipment and programs that help underprivileged children enjoy unique experiences at summer camps throughout the area.

This is the Free Press' 19th annual Summer Dreams program, but this year they need your support more than ever. Skillman is unable to provide matching funds this year because of expansion of their work in Detroit neighborhoods and budget cuts.

Summer Dreams is especially close to Kathy's heart. As the deputy director of the photo and video department at the Free Press, she has worked closely with photographers and videographers who photograph the children and document the kids at camp. Each year, a single photographer is chosen to photograph kids headed to the different camps. It's a coveted assignment and one that the photographers put their heart into. This year's special section was photographed by the very talented Susan Tusa and will arrive with your Sunday Free Press on May 15th.

Throughout the month of May, a portion of any wedding we book will go to support Summer Dreams.

www.facebook.com/detroitsummerdreams

And you can make a donation to Summer Dreams here:

www.facebook.com/detroitsummerdreams?v=app_113470028707068

Announcing "Devoted to Detroit"

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:06:00 +0000

We love Belle Isle. The 985 acre park is not only one of our favorite places to take wedding photographs, it is also where we were married 17 years ago. Which is why it's the perfect place to kick off our "Devoted to Detroit" program. Each month, we will choose an area charity or organization whose aim is to make the city and region a better place to live. Throughout the month of April, a portion of any wedding we book will go to support the Friends of Belle Isle (www.fobi.org) - a group that works to preserve the island and its history.

For those of you not familiar with Detroit's largest city park, Belle Isle is one of the most unique parks in the world. The 2.5-mile-long park was designed before the turn of the 20th century by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed Manhattan's Central Park and Brooklyn's Prospect Park. The island sits in the middle of the Detroit River on the U.S.-Canada border and is crisscrossed by a series of canals and roads. Belle Isle features a large, natural wooded area that is the home of a wide variety of small animals and birds. For more about the island, see the Detroit Free Press' in-depth look at the island's natural areas and its challenges - www.freep.com/belleisle

If you want to get involved, FOBI is having a Spring clean-up on April 30th from 9am until 12 p.m. The group meets at the Casino building and asks that you wear gloves and boots. For further information call 313-331-7760 or email fobi@sbcglobal.net.

Spring Special!

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:47:00 +0000

It may be a little early to think that Spring is actually here, but we're going to pretend that the snow has finished falling and that it's blue sky from now on. Hey, I heard a few birds chirping today, and birds almost always tell the truth.
As an offering to Flora, Goddess of Spring, (and to our wonderful clients) we have a very nice special. If you book a wedding before ~~March 31~~ April 11, we will include a complimentary engagement session. The engagement session is a great time for us to spend some time together before the wedding. And you can get a few great pictures for Facebook or even an announcement in the newspaper. Mention this post to have the engagement photos added to your package. Email or call us to check availability. We still have some 2011 dates that are open but the calendar is filling up.

Roman Goddess Flora, or Spring

**Update - we have extended the special until April 11. Call or email us to check availability for 2011 and 2012.

Elizabeth and Scott - New Years Eve Wedding in Detroit

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 13:04:00 +0000

Detroit's historic Ford Piquette Plant was the setting for the Elizabeth and Scott's beautiful New Years Eve wedding. The evening was relaxed and elegant and matched the amazing location. The Piquette Plant is one of Detroit's hidden gems and is known as the birthplace of the Model T.

So many things came together to make the night wonderful - the excitement of the end of one year and the beginning of another. The sense of Detroit's history felt being surrounded by so many Model Ts in Henry Ford's factory, which remains largely unchanged and intact. The warm and inviting atmosphere created by Elizabeth and Scott. Especially sweet was hearing Scott's lovely daughters sing during the wedding ceremony. A perfect way to begin the new year!

Vanessa and Paul - Winter Wedding at Grosse Pointe War Memorial

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:23:00 +0000

The weather was cold and snowy, but Vanessa and Paul's winter wedding at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial was perfectly warm and elegant. The wedding ceremony and reception took place in the original part of the home, the Alger House, which a designated state and national historic site.

Vera and Jay - Elegant Fall Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:27:00 +0000

Vera and Jay were married on a gorgeous autumn day at Immaculate Conception Church in Hamtramck with the wedding reception at the Dearborn Country Club, built by Henry Ford in 1925. We did the wedding photography on the golf course that was dotted with trees in full fall color and the wedding reception took place in the wood-paneled dining room surrounded by beautiful stained glass windows.

Kristina and Mike - Northville Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 16:34:00 +0000

After a morning filled with gray skies and drizzling rain, the sun broke through just as the couple said “I do” in the chapel at Northville’s Historic Mill Race Village. We did wedding photography around the grounds before heading to the Inn at St. Johns, a converted Catholic seminary for an elegant wedding reception.

Courtney and Erik - Grosse Pointe Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:41:00 +0000

Courtney and Erik were married earlier this summer at the beautiful Grosse Pointe Academy Chapel in Grosse Pointe Farms and the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. There was a little rain, but that didn't seem to bother anyone too much. Spirits were light and the presence of love was strongly felt. My good pal Romain Blanquart helped capture the day and we had an absolutely great time.

Andi and Chad - DIY Wedding In The Barn

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 11:40:00 +0000

Andi and Chad were the very fortunate beneficiaries of one of the best days of the summer. The sun shone brightly and the weather was perfect for their wedding. The venue they chose, The Blue Dress Barn in Millburg is a beautifully restored historic barn - a wonderful retreat in Southwest Michigan. Andi was a true DIY bride - doing everything from the calligraphy to spray painting picture frames. And many things in between. She and her sister Mary did the beautiful bouquets and dashing boutonnieres, enlisting friends Dessiah, Maggie and Heather as friend Jamie ironed linens. She even picked up an old desk from the side of the road and refinished it to use as a guest book table. Talk about vision! Chad got involved too - constructing the ribbon wands while Andi was at a dress fitting! The couple worked closely with Mandi Buckland of Element Event Design to create a truly wonderful, relaxed, and elegant affair.

Denise and Carlos

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:38:00 +0000

Denise and Carlos were married this summer at the lovely Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan. The day was a little gray, but thanks to friends and family from all over the country, it felt warm and beautiful.

Katie and Pat - A Vintage Inspired Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Brian) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:03:00 +0000

Vintage inspired wedding - Katie and Pat's wedding day was filled with vintage touches. From Katie's rosette covered tea length dress and blue peep toe heels to the individual colored glass vases filled with uniquely crafted flower arrangements that graced the reception tables at the The Village Club in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Her wedding veil was the classic birdcage style set off by a blue feathered hair piece and a wedding bouquet containing a fabulous blue butterfly. We took photographs of the wedding party at the Birmingham Eight Theatre on Old Woodward where the marquee had a personalized wedding announcement congratulating the bride and groom.