Kara Purtell Photography

Max & Aleshia {Engagement}

Kara Purtell — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:31:51 +0000

I was so excited to finally meet Max & Aleshia at our engagement session. I had talked to Aleshia a couple =times during her planning that was made a little harder because she had to wait for Max to be able to come into the country before she made any reservations for the wedding. Originally from England, Max now lives in Michigan, and is ready for the big day. We met in Hastings at a park that had some old buildings from around the town. For you Detroit area people it is kind of like Mill Race in Northville, or Greenfield Village. It was really cool, and it was special to Aleshia who had grown up in the area. We had a great day, and then went out for a beer at the place they will have their reception next month. Here are a few of my fav’s.

Dave & Lauren {Engagement}

Kara Purtell — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:56:54 +0000

Dave & Lauren were so sweet and patient with me as we walked around the park for their e-session. I saw so many pretty spots for photos, I may have gone a little overboard, but I think it ended up being worth it! I even climbed up in a tree to get some interesting angles, although I have to say I was less than graceful

Cameron & Beth {Engagement}

Kara Purtell — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:52:10 +0000

We met up with Cameron & Beth in downtown Detroit for their engagement session last weekend. It ended up being the perfect spot with perfect weather. In about a quarter mile radius we had some really pretty spots, some grungy pretty spots, and some straight grunge. It made for a lot of options and a lot of different shots. They also came across the cool Detroit mural on their way into town, so we took advantage of that as well. They were so fun to shoot – the way Cameron looks at Beth is just perfect, so we got a lot of shots of that I’m so excited for their wedding and one of my favorite places – Lovett Hall at The Henry Ford in just a couple months!!

Dan & Kristi {Wedding}

Kara Purtell — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 18:56:43 +0000

We shot a wedding:) The 2012 season started last weekend with Dan & Kristi’s wedding down in Louisiana. I knew the weather would be nice down there in March, but I never thought we would be leaving 80 degree weather up here. Crazy crazy! Anyway, I couldn’t have asked for anything better than the day we had on Sunday. The clouds rolled in just in time for the ceremony to keep everyone cool and keep the lighting nice and even for our photos. Now for those of you who don’t know, Southern weddings are pretty different than Northern ones. The whole thing lasted only 4 hours – ceremony at 5:30, and send off at 9:30. But they squeezed in everything in those 4 hours….including as much dancing and partying that we do in a 5 hour reception! We didn’t have a second to sit down once the reception started, as everyone was up and partying the whole time. I’ve included just a snippet of that, so multiply what you see below by like 50! It was nuts, but so much fun In just 5 weeks we get to see the whole family again for Kristi’s sister Kelly’s wedding in Florida – Can’t wait!

Dan reading a letter from his bride to be…

I think the laugh has to do with the fact that Kristi’s sister Katie is up the back of her dress right now fixing the poofy slip thing ( I know there is a technical term) – that’s what sisters are for!

Lots of bridesmaids!

It is very hard for Kristi not to smile, but we tried it for one pic…. it was so worth it – Stunning!!

Last minute before the ceremony with mom – and a pic of all three girls, mom, and grandma’s rings – borrowed from Kristi’s pinterest page

The wedding was on a plantation where they built this amphitheater thing for ceremonies. it was really beautiful.

Darrell got this totally unscripted shot of post ceremony giddiness – my fav.

This was the best cake smashing I have seen yet!

Dad and his 3 daughters – pretty sure it was “We are Family” playing….

This wedding had the most jumping and lifting of people I have ever seen – see above and below.

Hope you guys are having an amazing honeymoon! See you soon

My day with Ms. Ella

Kara Purtell — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:57:51 +0000

I spent some time hanging out with Ella last week and got to see what her favorite things to do are. The two main things: reading & “cooking” . She made me some yummy plastic food and read some books, and showed me her new bedroom. She is going to have a baby sister soon so she got upgraded to a big girl room just in time for her 2nd birthday. Here are a few of my favorites!

Pete & Amanda {Engagement}

Kara Purtell — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:57:40 +0000

I met up with Amanda and Pete last fall for their super colorful engagement session. We took a little walk around my favorite park and went over to the railroad tracks for a few as well. It was really fun seeing them together, they really love each other I can’t wait until their St. John’s wedding in November!

Pat & Jessica {Engagement}

Kara Purtell — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 04:44:32 +0000

I’m so excited to share with you Jessica & Pat’s winter engagement session. We were waiting for the snow to come and had a small window of time to get the pics done, but it worked out perfectly. We ended up shooting at Pat’s parents house, and found all these wonderful little spots around the neighborhood to shoot. I absolutely love shooting in late fall and winter because the lighting is perfect all day long, and I can always get my favorite shots with sun flare (I’m a little obsessed). Doesn’t hurt that they are a gorgeous couple, super easy to shoot, and fun to hang out with. Can’t wait until August to get to shoot them again!

Thanks for 2011 :)

Kara Purtell — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:44:52 +0000

We got to meet so many amazing couples this year and got to shoot in some really beautiful places. Thanks to everyone for making this a great year, we are looking forward to another one!