A couple of weeks ago, I photographed Ryan’s 2nd Birthday party.  It was held at a park and fortunately for us, the rain held off until later in the day.  Ryan’s mom, Carrie did a killer job of getting all the details down with a car theme…it was so cool!  It’s been a while since I have been to a party with a bunch of little ones and it was crazy to see how they were able to burn through each activity, but it was just long/short enough to keep it interesting.  The guests played on the playground a little while before heading under the pavilion for some classic lunch with P&J, applesauce, Goldfish crackers and Capri Sun…it brought back memories for me.  After lunch they painted with some trucks and made personalized license plates (WAY COOL) before doing presents and cake.  Then on down to feed the fishies with (ironically) Goldfish crackers…  All in al the party went by fast but was super sweet and it was a nice change up from photographing people not quite as young.  If I ever turn 2 again, I want a party like that!

Here’s the birthday boy waitin’ for the guests…

And his big sis…

Who doesn’t love to swing?

Excited to give that present away I guess…

The tunnel slide was a big hit…as it should be.

They really tested my energy level…

The roster…

Check out the sweet party bags and race cars made out of candy!

I loved this…substitute paint for mud and a piece of paper for the ground and voila…ART!

It’s his party and he’ll cry if he wants to!

But only for 6.37 seconds…

CAKE…I mean frosting!

This little guy was on the ground most of the time…

He liked the cake too.

 

These are the sweet license plates!

Presents with trains, locmotives, and choo-choos.

Feeding time!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

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Awesome wedding photographer and business guru Becker from Orange County, CA is less than a month away from launching what is said to be one of the best things to happen to wedding photographers in years!  It’s called, [b] School and I’m stoked for opening day and really looking forward to how it can help me grow my business, which will do nothing but enhance the experience for myself and more importantly, my brides and grooms!  WOO-HOO!!!

 

 

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      I photographed Laura and Dave’s wedding last Saturday here in Ann Arbor.  The ceremony was held at the St. Mary Student Parish, which is right in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor and a block away from the diag.  From the ceremony, we walked down to the Law Quad  to do some pictures, before going across the street to the Union to get the party started at the reception.  It was such a relaxed day and had a lot of unique things to really make their day different from the weddings I have photographed recently.  Before the reception started, one of the groomsmen taught guests how to do a little Salsa dancing and I saw guests try a few moves a few times throughout the evening…very cool.  Also, during the cocktail hour and for the bridal party’s introduction, there was a Mariachi band playing some excellent music!  I had a great time documenting their day as well as seeing some good friends of mine, Josh and Laura who are expecting a little one the beginning of next year.  I am so blessed to take part in so many fun weddings…I love my job!

 

Lint free groom…very important.

“Can I go in yet?”

“I’m not nervous…”

“GO TEAM!!!”

One of the groomsmen tried sneaking a little snack before the pics…BUSTED!!!

We had to find a little cover, as it was raining…

Tequila anyone?

I’m pretty sure this move was created in 1763 right?  Love it!

Funny how this tends to happen.

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  • nicole - love that first dance shot. very romantic!
    also, somehow one of your cards ended up on my vehicle… 😉
    i’ll call you soon!

  • Rachael - Oh gosh…..you blow me away. Wedding is great and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Chicago session! I need to learn new stuff soon.

  • Irma - Dave and Laura: What GREAT pictures. The wedding was so much fun. Love the photos of Brandon getting busted at the restaurant and his fancy dance moves. Love you both lots and lots and lots.

  • Jenelle - I like the photo of them in the doorway. Nice frame work.

Last Monday I was in the windy city to photograph Zayna and Rani’s engagement session as well as to attend the kick-butt Free to Succeed Tour with DJ and J*.  Unfortunately, my train was delayed by 7 hours, so instead of starting at 5 like we planned, we started around 7:15.  All things considered, we had a great time and it was so nice to hang out with Zayna and Rani and experience Chicago in true fashion.  Rani told me their engagement story and lets just say, he went through a tedious process to ask Zayna to marry him…he’s a keeper!  We rushed around a little bit of the city from the waterfront, to Buckingham Fountain, to Michigan Ave and the Navy Pier.  We worked up quite an appetite during the shoot, so we ventured on down to Greektown and had some great food (don’t forget the feta) at Santorini.

It was an awesome experience for me to enjoy the city in such a unique way and I hope to be able to do it again!  Zayna and Rani are a ridiculously good looking couple and their wedding is going to be so much fun to document next month!!  For the first image of the other night, check my post from last Monday…kissing in the middle of Michigan Ave.  Here’s some more saweet images!!!

Hmmmm, what city is that?  Chitown baby!!!

I told you they were riduculously good looking…I mean HOTT!!

Love this one!

Here’s another from Michigan Ave…

I’m pretty sure those are the coolest sunglasses ever!

LOVE the skyline at night!!!

I now see what all the talk is about with the Navy Pier…

Now that’s love!

Don’t get too dizzy!

Seriously!


Zayna and Rani, you guys rock and we’re going to have so many good times on your big day and I can’t wait to photograph you again…THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING MY TRIP TO CHICAGO WAAAY COOLER!!!!!

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  • Zayna - DUSTIN! WOW…I’m blown away. They are gorgeous, I love the fountain one where Rani is attempting to dip me without dropping me:) One month until the Wedding AHHHH!

  • cheryl - Dustin, you just keep blowing me away after every new posting!! You are so unique, professional, and fun!!You always make sure that all these qualities show through. Cheryl (your number one fan)

  • Ameera - WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW…thats my sister! She looks HOTTT and so does Rani! I am seriously in shock right now at how unique each picture is. I can tell there was a lot of thought put into every single picture and I am floored at how you were able to captivate BOTH their personalities…AND best physical attributes (i.e. my sisters bum bum) 😉 Can’t wait to be apart of this picture mania in a month!

  • Wendy - Nice work, D!!!

  • Becky - Zayna and Rani, you two look so beautiful in these pictures–I’m so impressed!! I LOVE the ones with the fountain, but clearly my fave is the sunglass shot ;)Also, the city skyline looks stunning!! Nicely done, can’t wait for the wedding. XOXO

  • Olivia - Oh my God these pictures are AMAZING!!! Now I can’t wait to see what you’ll do for them at their wedding!! ALL of the pictures are so beautiful!

  • yo' MOM - delicious! and yes, two beautiful people….

  • Rani - Dustin…I never liked taking photos until you came along, thanks for capturing my good side. You are very talented and you have some mad skillz

  • Gabe McClintock - Dustin…these are awesome! I love the use of light…well done. Hope your well.

    Gabe

  • Rachael - This inspires me!

  • Dustin Francis Photography Blog » Wedding: Zayna + Rani - […] might remember Zayna and Rani from the super sweet Chicago engagement session…well their wedding was nothing short of super sweet either!  Zayna and Rani tied the knot on […]

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