Thank you so much for stopping by. We are Samantha and Brian, the husband and wife photography team behind A Thousand Words Photography. We are based in Ann Arbor, Michigan but cover weddings near and far. In addition to weddings, Samantha also photographs amazing boudoir sessions, families and beautiful babies in a stylish and casual manner.
We are so excited to share our latest and greatest work with you here on this blog. In addition to posting amazing images, we will post studio news, new products and anything exciting going on in our lives.
Hopefully, you will visit often...and leave a comment, they really make our day!.
If you would like to see more of our work, you can view our extensive portfolio on our website. We would love to talk to you if you are interested in our work. We can be reached at 734.207.3781 or email us at sam@thefineartofweddings.com or brian@thefineartofweddings.com
Best,
Samantha + Brian
Mindy and Josh were married at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield this past fall (what can I say, I have a TON of blogging to catch up on!)
Dee Dee Hoffman and her wonderful staff at www.ddhpartydesign.com, along with Breath of Spring florist created an amazing setting for a perfect fall wedding.
Mindy, you are drop-dead gorgeous!
We are calling it “She’s Having a Baby” sale!
As many of you know, I am due to have our second baby next month. We are sooooo excited to meet our baby girl and will be taking a short maternity leave to enjoy some time with her (and recover!)
In order to book up the remaining 2010 dates that we still have open, we are offering $400 off any of our collections (2011 dates are eligible, too!) The only stipulation is that they MUST be booked by March 31, 2010. Email or call the studio for details.
We had the pleasure of photographing Jessica and Ryan’s gorgeous wedding. You may recognize Ryan as a sports reporter and producer from Fox 2 news. On this day though, I have to say that the spotlight was on Jessica. She was fierce with a capital F! She had one of the most amazing dresses that I have seen. Top that with a multilayer, multi texture veil, Manolo Blahnik shoes, a Chanel bracelet and I was in HEAVEN!
Jessica and Ryan were married at St. Veronica’s in Eastpointe and then celebrated at the Country Club of Detroit.
Dear Blog,
Oh how I have missed you! Please don’t think that I have not thought of you. I cannot believe how long it has been since I last posted! Unfortunately, there are some (spammers) who apparently have nothing better to do than wreek havoc on poor, unsuspecting blogs. From changing my password to posting 21,000 (!) comments with links from everything from Viagra to money making schemes, it was just more than I could deal with. Luckily the wonderful people at www.prophotoblogs.com swept in and rescued my distressed blog.
For those who have written wondering where we have been, please rest assured knowing that we are back and will be posting as regularly as this busy busy busy wedding season will allow. I am so thankful to say that this has been a wonderful year and we have so many gorgeous events to share with you. From local weddings at amazing venues to the many many destination weddings that have kept us incredibly busy to the fun & funky engagement sessions to the intimate boudior sessions to the adorable new families that we have had the pleasure of photographing, this blog is about to be on FIRE!!! 
Because all posts are better with a photo; here is a self family portrait that I shot of our happy little family while we were in the Blue Ridge Mountains a few months ago 
Missy is the beautiful sister of one of our favorite clients of all time, Brad and Melissa, who were married a few years ago at Royal Park Hotel.
Missy and Josh chose the swanky MGM Grand Detroit as the venue for their ceremony and reception. Diana Fenkel of A Fabulous Affair and Bruce of Breath of Spring made sure every detail was attended to and the result was stunning!
We absolutely love love love the Shiffman family and were so thrilled to be able to work with them again! Thanks for allowing us to cover another gorgeous wedding for your family
I can’t believe that my baby is four years old! Where in the world did the past four years go? Jett is the sunshine of my life, the reason I can’t wait to wake up in the morning and every other cliche thing that is said about how mom’s feel about their children. I never thought I could love anyone as much as I love him…..to the point that I really do pity the girls that he will date in the future
Because of the horrendous year that we have had (my mom passed away in the spring and Jett was extremely close to her) and Brian’s grandmother passed away last week, we decided to make sure that Jett had a really special birthday. We had a party for him at Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio (www.kalahariresorts.com ). We make it a point to go at least once a year….even if you don’t have kids, I highly recommend it. It is the largest indoor waterpark in America since their huge expansion last year. Seriously sooooo much fun. They even have those surfing/bodyboarding simulators. Brian did the bodyboarding and I was in tears watching him……it was the funniest thing I have ever seen We rented a huge suite and invited 12 of our family members to join us, some coming from Pennsylvania. Jett had so much fun playing with his cousins, Savannah and Isabelle…..although he didn’t really understand why on earth they would rather play with their makeup than play cops with him
We left our camera in the hotel room while we were at the waterpark, but I did take a couple of photos of them in the hotel room. For some reason, whenever Jett “posed” for the camera, he would put the girls in a headlock (much to their dismay!)
I cracked up when I took this. Jett was in a little fleece robe and with the way the girls are hanging on him, he looks like a total frat boy……and what a mischevious smile!
I absolutely adore this photo. It pretty much sums up the relationship between these three.
It was so nice to get away for a couple of days and have this mini family reunion. Thanks for joining us….can’t wait to see you guys again!
Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope everyone reading this blog had an absolutely wonderful love-filled, chocolate covered Valentine’s Day……I already know that you have been struck by cupid’s arrow
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I decided to blog a hot pink wedding that we photographed a while ago. Not only was Ivana’s color scheme hot pink, but Ivana and Landry are one HOT couple (as Ivana knows, Brian teased me all day because I was so obsessed with Ivana’s AMAZINGLY pretty eyes). So…..on to my new crush
In these next 2 photos, Ivana reminds me on Elizabeth Taylor in her hey-day.
Ivana’s bridesmaids were also drop-dead gorgeous….
While shadows on faces are usually something to avoid in portriats, I love the fern shadows on her forehead.
Landry smiled like this the ENTIRE day. What a great sign!
I always love the photos of the bride and groom during the recessional…..such unbridled joy and happiness. Definately the most sincere smiles of the day.
Crystal of Affordable Elegance (www.aecclinen.com ) transformed Baypointe Golf Club into a black and hot pink vision……by far one of the coolest and most striking combinations that I have ever seen.
While their guests were still finishing dinner, we snuck Ivana and Landry outside for a couple of sunset photos.
…..and then it was back inside for some fun! I love that they even carried the pink theme into the lighting.
Thanks for choosing us, guys! I have loved working with you from the engagement session to the ooh-la-la session to the wedding…you are such a picture perfect couple
Courtney and Jason were married on one of the most beautiful October days that I can remember. There ceremony was at the First United Methodist Church in Birmingham and their reception was at the historic and grande Lovett Hall.
The emotion of the day caught up with Courtney as soon as she slipped into her AMAZING Reem Acra gown.
I LOOOOOOOVE this photo…..there is just something about it. Even though there is so much going on around Courtney, she looks so peaceful.
Such a lovely moment between her and her parents before the ceremony.
Brian met up with Jason before the ceremony and captured some great images of the groom.
I am so proud to say that so many of my brides were either referred by past brides or stood up in weddings that we have photographed. It is probably safe to say that this won’t be the case with this little one…..I am sure she will grow up to hate me for the photo below
Doesn’t she look amazing???
I love how her dad is fighting back the tears and holding tightly onto her hand while Courtney is smiling ear to ear.
The new Mr. and Mrs!
These next 2 are my absolute favorites of the day….I love the lighting, the romantic feeling and how vibrant the stained glass window is.
The light around Greenfield Village was perfect while we were there.
Lovett Hall looked stunning thanks to Emerald City Designs. They implemented Courtney’s fall theme perfectly. This is truly one of our favorite places to photograph (aside from the horrible sandwiches that they insist on feeding vendors
We had a blast photographing your wedding! We hope you love the images and that they help you relive that wonderful October day each time you look at them
Jen and Devin had a gorgeous fall wedding at one of my favorite venues, Oakhurst Golf Club. The sun was so on our side that day. Providing amazing light for photos early in the day, cloud coverage for the ceremony (no squinting!) and yummy golden light for some beautiful shots after the ceremony.
Jen had the biggest smile on her face the entire day (more on that later
Hot Mama! I am sure that this will be one of Devin’s favorite shot of the day………because it shows her gorgeous ring, of course
I love how Jen’s mom is looking at her in this image.
Of course, we can’t leave out Devin.
This is one of my favorite “getting ready” shots of a groom that Brian has done. I think it is the perfect definition of a casual portait, too!
Jen and Devin chose to see eachother before the ceremony. I was so fortunate to have so many couples do that this year. While I never push a couple to do it if it isn’t for them, I cannot recommend it enough. Not only do you have more time to do fabulous photos of the 2 of you (rather than trying to squeeze them in during your cocktail hour…..which you end up missing), but you get to really take the moment in. The emotion that we are able to capture (tears, smiles, giggles, kisses) is something that just doesn’t happen during the procession when all eyes are on you and you have a million things running through your head. I have had so many couples say that they wished they did see eachother, but none that have said that they wished they didn’t. So……2009 (and 2010) brides, take note
There is nothing like fall light……it is by far my favorite time of the year to shoot.
I LOVE how Devin is looking at Jen in this image….I am sure she will, too!
My favorite thing about Oakhurst (besides their unique reception room with the soaring ceilings, huge stone fireplace, impeccable staff and amazing food) is the grove of pinetrees that surrounds the clubhouse. They provide such a dramatic setting for photographs.
Doesn’t Jen look stunning?
My favorite kind of bridal party portrait….fun, fast and casual.
Just before the ceremony, these dramatic clouds rolled in.
The maid of honor was SOOO excited that her best friend was getting married
Jen had a dream about what her ceremony site would look like……..this is what she envisioned. How incredibly cool is this?
After the ceremony we snuck off for a couple of minutes to take advantage of the golden light that comes just before sunset.
EASILY my absolute favorite of the day. This is begging to be a HUGE metallic gallery wrap.
Brian nailed this shot of Devin.
I love all of the details. Roses, hanging crystals, candles…..and whoever chose the Sanders hot fudge as favors gets an “A” in my book!
I mentioned how Jen smiled from ear to ear the ENTIRE day. As I was editting their images, I was struck by just how happy she was. Isn’t this what all of the planning/stressing/preparation is for? I can tell just by looking at the photos that she enjoyed each and every moment…
Thank you, Jen and Devin, for choosing us to be a part of your wedding and allowing us to capture all of the happy moments Keep smilin’!
Don’t worry, I am not being catty with the post title. You see, John and Taryn are both in the military and had a very small ceremony a while ago where they were based. As much as they love being married, they always felt like they missed out on having a wedding where Taryn could wear a beautiful gown, their adorable twin nieces could be flower girls and they could celebrate with their family and friends. Fast forward to the summer of 08 and all of their dreams were finally realized
The flower girls were thrilled that they were able to release butterflies after the ceremony.
I think I am going to make it a prerequisite that all churches need to have an old weathered barn within walking distance……I LOVE the photos that we were able to create here and it was right next to the church!
One thing that Taryn really wanted was gorgeous photos of her and John. She is my kinda bride….since she loves horses, she made arrangement for a photo shoot between the ceremony and reception. These are some of my favorites of the year!
Thank you guys for inviting us to be a part of such a wonderful day! I hope the photos are ones that you will treasure for ever!
