Moto Themed Wedding

Steve & Tea met doing something they love, racing motorcycles! So of course they had to have a moto themed wedding!

They “tightened the wrench” (tied the knot?) last December, and wanted a shot of the rings with a wrench, which made for some pretty shiny things, and I love pretty shiny things!

and due to a small snafu with the dress, Tea was literally wrenched into her dress. I’m not sure how this played out at the end of the night . . .

However, Once she was securely wired into her dress she was quite the model bride!

Hair by Shear Elegance

Make-up by Butterfly Spa

Their motorcycle tire cake! Designed and made by Karen Scobbie.

Steve managed a completely “hands-free” garter removal!

Thank you to both of you and all your family for hosting me for your fun and crazy wedding day! I am sure we will cross paths again (hopefully on our motorcycles, although yours will most certainly be faster than mine).

<3

Liesl Diesel

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After their portraits in downtown Detroit,

Miriam and Larry held their ceremony at Adat Shalom Synagogue.

They had a beautiful and colorful Ketubah!

Adat Shalom is a beautiful place to hold a wedding ceremony! They both look so excited walking down the aisle, full of energy.

Miriam & Larry had gorgeous rose centerpieces at their reception, and they really stood out against all the white. It was very clean and elegant!

Larry is so sweet and romantic, I love his face during the first dance.

And I love Miriam’s face during the Hora!

After some toasts, bread and wine the party got started!

Love you both, we are definitely due for a date!

<3

Liesl Diesel

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Detroit Wedding Photographer

Last December I got to shoot a destination wedding in Detroit at Adat Shalom Synagogue with an amazingly sweet Chicago couple, Miriam & Larry! You can view their engagement photos here!

You could NEVER guess from these photos that it was December in Detroit, Michigan! The sunset was to die for, and it was in the 60′s!

Miriam’s merengue layer dress from Demitrios was so elegant, and I wanted to show it off with some nice lighting.

The coral color of the bridesmaids dresses was a perfect compliment to the sunset!

Miriam and Larry strike a pose in front of the Renaissance Center at General Motors Building!

Beautiful rose bouquets by Breath of Spring Florist

We also stopped by the Detroit Institute of Arts, and I must reiterate that the weather was UNBELIEVABLE!!!

There are SO SO many photos I want to share, so I am breaking this wedding into a few blog posts so that the images will load faster in your browser. It will be worth the wait, more to follow soon!

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Baby Portrait First Christmas

Last November I got to meet Tristan for the first time to photograph his portrait for his first Christmas! Well, I guess technically I had met him when I photographed his Baby Shower last June, but it was fun to see him go from cute little bump to blue-eyed bubble blower!

It is already almost time for his first birthday which sadly I will miss!

This baby shoot took place in his mommy’s apartment, where he could be warm and comfortable!

Karla wanted lots of fingers and toes pictures, and what mommy doesn’t! Babies are such a wondrous miracle.

Tristan is such a happy baby, but I especially love this series because he was SO intent on biting his mommy’s finger, and when he finally got it he stuck out his tongue!

So cute!!

Tristan let me get very close for some shots of his beautiful blue eyes, so close in fact, he is grabbing my lens in the last of this series (the black shadow on the frame is his little hand trying to take my camera)

NOW it’s time to get down to business! This was, after all, a Christmas Photo Shoot!

Mommy dons the Santa Suit, which, like everything else in life, makes Tristan laugh.

If you can look at this face and not grin then you are a stronger person than I.

Karla you are so blessed! I am so sad to be missing his first birthday, but I look forward to helping you record more and more memories as your beautiful son continues to grow and fill your life with joy!

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Lifestyle Family Portrait Session With Ballerina and Baby

I met Jen at a school picnic last year and didn’t even realize she was pregnant (read, almost due) at the time! Our daughters go to school together and after some play dates and sleepovers Jen took a look at my website and said she wanted me to shoot a family session once their new baby was born!

Although it was incredibly cold outside, we planned to get some cute shots of their new little bean at the Big Bean in Millennium Park! I love this family photo!

Their older daughter is fun, spirited and beautiful!

Did I mention she is also in training to be a professional ballerina?

I love her expression as she holds her baby sister as she started to fuss!

This is the view from on stage in the Oriental Theater, looking into the crowd. All the house lights create such a beautiful background!

However, babies are not impressed with such things, and of course she needed a break from all this difficult work as a model.

Cue the ballerina!

She is such a wonderfully fun balance of talent, poise, and spunk!

Finally her sweet blue eyed sister woke up to give me a little grin and a big yawn!

Very excited to shoot these girls again in August! They change so quickly!

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Lifestyle Engagement session with dog!

Chicago is a pretty big city, but sometimes it feels like a small town! I’ve known Andy for a couple of years through mutual friends and was flattered when he hired me to shoot his engagement portraits. It’s always a little humbling to be hired by friends because they know what a dork I am in real life. What! I didn’t say that! But it’s true. It ends up that Jennifer is also friends with one of my past clients, Kristine! Small town, Chicago!

But the best connection of all was that I got to meet Yukon The Dog. What a little (well, big) ham!

We started out in front of Shedd Aquarium, headed to the Field Museum, Soldier Field Stadium and ended by the Adler Planetarium!

Yukon is gorgeous and cooperative, and loves being in the photos, but I was able to coax him aside for a few shots of Andy & Jennifer alone!

I saw this yellow tree between The Field Museum and Soldier Field, it was glowing with back light!

I loved this perspective on Soldier Field Stadium, it looks like a UFO ;-)

Yukon leads the way!

And of course we cannot skip the classic Chicago skyline photo. What a beautiful city!

Congratulations on your engagement Andy & Jennifer!

<3

Liesl Diesel

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John & Hannah had their destination state park wedding at the beautiful White Pines Inn. Although the terrain in Illinois is known for being flat, there are some hidden canyons that provide a beautiful, natural back drop for weddings!

Fall is my favorite time of year, especially if I am able to travel somewhere where the trees are changing colors. Nature can be so elegant without any help from people!

Hannah’s excitement was evident as she prepared in the bridal suite!

Her Dog’s perspective on life! Hannah also made the flower girl’s dress!

Hannah is really amazing. Aside from being a beautiful and talented ballerina, she made her own wedding gown, silk covered buttons and all. Anyone who has ever dealt with lace knows this was not an easy task! The lace was fitted perfectly and went so well with her vintage pearl earrings.

And yes, she really looks like this. Red hair, blue eyes, swan white skin. So pretty!

I loved shooting their portraits in the forest before their ceremony. It was dusk, and the quiet natural surroundings mirrored their gentle personalities.

Rings by Green Karat!

This photo is just some rusted paint on an antique truck near the ceremony site. I loved the colors and took some photos that ended up making lovely background images for their wedding album!

Sunflowers and cala lilies for a pop of color!

Thank you both so much for choosing me to photograph your wedding!

<3

Liesl Diesel

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Becky & Dustin planned a romantic destination wedding in Myrtle Beach, SC! I am always honored to be flown in for destination weddings all over the globe, and I love that Becky & Dustin chose me for their wedding as they are not local to the Myrtle Beach area either.

Cynthia Swanson of Myrtle Beach Weddings, Etc referred them to me and she did an excellent job coordinating this beach destination wedding for them!

Their ceremony was at the Hilton and their reception was at Thoroughbred’s Restaurant.

Flowers by Flowers on Broadway

Music, sound and lighting by Scott Shaw Productions

The Hilton in Myrtle Beach has a gorgeous grass lawn so your guests don’t have to get their toes sandy! Nature’s decor of palm trees sets a perfect beach scene.

I love it when couples smile and laugh uncontrollably!

Orchids and roses made such a beautiful and natural looking bouquet for Becky.

I was very impressed with the staff and service at Thoroughbred’s, I highly recommend this venue.

Becky & Dustin chose golf balls and Tees for party favors! “Fore better, Fore Worse!”

Thank you both so much for choosing me, I am so happy for you and your new life together!

<3

Liesl Diesel

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Celebrate Mother’s Day Every Day!

I know I am a little “late to the punch” on my Mother’s Day post, but it’s still important!

I could never express how much I love my own mother. Everything I put her through as I grew up and every single thing she supported me in as I took my long journey through life to find myself and my purpose. She has played every role possible in my life; provider, comforter, trainer, teacher, encourager, playmate, task master, coach, chauffeur, counselor, and friend. I don’t know how she managed all of those roles, but it has been a huge inspiration to me as I learn to be a better mother to my own two children.

The following shoot was taken last fall. This is my sister Lorena and her two girls. To me it is clear that she has invested the time and effort to instruct, care for, listen to, and play with her girls that will be the beautiful foundation of a relationship that will grow even more beautiful with time.

She knows how to play with her children!

Their confidence in being loved is so evident.

Live, laugh love. This is what mothers do best.

And of course I LOVE that one of them got my brother’s blue eyes and the other got his curly red hair!

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Chris & Christiana hired me to come to Devil’s Lake State Park to photograph their gorgeous fall outdoor destination wedding ceremony and picnic reception! Devil’s Lake State Park, WI is a beautiful destination that was very meaningful to them.

Venue – Devil’s Lake State Park

Wedding Gown – Wolsfelts

Table/Linens – Baraboo Tents

Catering/Pig Roast – Exceptional Catering

I started at this quaint rustic cabin with Christiana.

These two were so laid back and easy going, we were able to hike around the park to some beautiful spots! I started with them by these fallen boulders because The shade makes PERFECT portrait light and I loved the texture of the rock, moss and ferns.

Fall is one of my favorite times of year, and you can see why below. Sweet gentle light, perfect weather, and colorful trees! I wasn’t the only one admiring Chris and Christiana, hikers had a hard time keeping their eyes off of them!

And of course no state park destination wedding is complete without hiking to the top of a cliff for a nice overlook right? SO we hiked up the mountain, YES he did this in a full suit and YES she did this in her wedding gown! And yes, I did it with two camera bodies, 3 lenses and 2 flashes but at least I had proper clothing and shoes for it! The walk was well worth it. The overlook at Devil’s Lake state park is absolutely stunning, and even more so in Autumn.

The scene for their ceremony could not have been more perfect. They were married right on the shore of Devil’s Lake!

 Vows by the water!

Picnic and pig roast!

And my last series of the day, candid silhouette of Chris in his cowboy hat against the fall mountain background. Love it!

Congratulations Chris & Christiana, I hope you are enjoying your album!

<3

Liesl Diesel

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