This past August I was lucky enough to shoot alongside Dan DeWaard of Hatch Photography at Stephen & Lindsey’s gorgeous backyard wedding in Lynden, Washington. Not only was every detail beautiful and thoughtful, but the families, the wedding party, the couple…they were such a joy to work with! Venue: Private Property (the bride’s parents’ home) Wedding Dress: Bhldn Makeup: Sarah Rorvig Flowers: Homegrown Flowers Cookie Table: Lynden Dutch Bakery
Read More2017 Year in Review
Thank you for another year of documenting your love, your commitment, your celebrations, your heart, your world. I’m incredibly grateful to those who trust me to do this and thereby continue to do what I love. Here’s a glimpse of what 2017 looked like through my lens. Weddings, engagements, sweet new life. I was lucky enough to get to shoot several weddings with Lynden, Washington wedding photographer Dan DeWaard of Hatch Photography, from Lynden to Seattle, and get to know the industry a little on this side of the border. I’ll be continuing to shoot throughout the Vancouver area, and very much look forward to shooting more throughout Washington this year!
Read MoreOur Own Family Photos
We almost let the year slip by without getting family photos done. When Shane tore his achilles earlier this Fall, and was on bed rest followed by crutches and in a walking boot for weeks, it seemed like a far reach. But. Little ones grow so fast and this mama craves photos with them and us together as a family…documentation of these fleeting, sleep deprived, snuggle-filled, crazy yet special days. Not only that, but this is (most likely) our last pregnancy and that deserves to be documented, too. When my friend Julie of Julie Christine Photography offered a session, I quickly said yes, please. By the time our schedules lined up and the weather cooperated, Shane was just able to walk without his boot. We got these taken a couple weeks ago and I just finished up the editing of them. Looking through them, I can’t say how grateful I am to have these photos! And that the kids behaved! ;) I love these people so much, and can’t wait to add one more come January.
Read MoreRein Fire Ranch Wedding: Derek & Marina
This past Fall I got to shoot some amazing weddings in the Seattle area with Dan DeWaard of Hatch Photography. First up is Derek and Marina’s… The day began in a suite overlooking downtown Seattle where Marina and her bridesmaids got themselves ready, in between sips of champagne, and into lace and gold sequins. From there, we traveled to Rein Fire Ranch in Snohomish where they said I do in an outdoor ceremony, followed by a rustic yet elegant barn reception. I loved the accents of gold and all the greenery! Not to mention the delicious food truck supper by Wood Shop BBQ. Kelli Walker of Country Bouquets Floral did a beautiful job on the flowers, including the flower crown worn by Marina.
Read MoreNew Website, New Look
The new website is here! I’m so excited to introduce this new space, with new logo and look. The blog and portfolio are now under one address, mikaelaruth.com, hopefully making it simpler for potential clients to get a feel for my aesthetic and my work. A new website and blog was something I kept putting off, as much as I wanted a fresh update…it was one of those things I could do without while I kept busy with weddings and shoots and well, having babies! But my photography is still so important to me, something still close to my heart, and I felt it really did deserve the attention and care creating a new home for it required. With thanks to Katya Baerg, designer and artist extraordinaire, we finally made it happen. We also created a shiny new Pricing Guide to send to inquiring brides and grooms which I’m pretty excited about, too. Now that this new space is live, I’m looking forward to blogging more regularly once again. Look for a few new weddings and personal posts coming up! Thank you to those who follow my work or take a peek here or there, and let me and my photos pop into your social media feed…and a special thank you to those clients who allow me into their world and their hearts by trusting me to document them. I can’t thank you all enough! xo
Read MoreLynden Lifestyle Session At Home
Every mama deserves photos with her little ones; playing, snuggling, caring…a child enters her world and becomes a vital part of her life and consumes her heart, not to mention her day. And that child grows up so fast, just like they say, so it’s important to pause and document. I loved the opportunity to photograph Sondra and her sweet Andrew at their home in Lynden. He was such a happy, loved, little guy who clearly loves his mama, and combined with Sondra’s sweet personality and taste in style, they were a treat to document.
Read MoreFraser River Lodge Wedding: David & Natasha
I think I’ll let the images do most of the talking for this post…because really, it was a dream to document David and Natasha’s gorgeous Fraser River Lodge wedding, and I can’t help but share a good deal of photos from the day. It was flawless from start to finish with the help of planner and designer Stephanie from Sweetheart Events, who executed things beautifully and was super helpful to and thoughtful of us all! Whether it was bringing out waters during portrait time, or a pre-speech shot for the groom ;) See a complete list of the amazing vendor team at the bottom of this post! To David and Natasha, I really can’t thank you enough for the privilege of being your wedding photographer. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. From the planning process and emails, to witnessing and capturing your wedding day, it was a joy to work with you both. Wishing you all the best as you begin your life as husband and wife! Venue: Fraser River Lodge Planning & Design: Sweetheart Events Makeup: Jasmine Hoffman Hair: Beauty by Magdalena Flowers: Flowerella Bride’s Dress: Truvelle Bride’s Shoes: Valentino Bride’s Jewelry: Bhldn Rings: Tacori Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal Groomsmen Suits: RW & Co Groom’s Suit & Tie: Hugo Boss Stationery: Rifle Paper Co. Calligraphy (place cards & seating chart): A friend Calligraphy (welcome sign & flower girl sign): Sweetheart Events Wedding Cake: A friend Music: Audio Edge Entertainment Officiant: Vancouver Officiant Photobooth: Swanybooth
Read MoreSummer Sunset Engagement: Derrick & Emily
Young love, committed to a lifetime together. Summer evening, dreamy light. Quiet countryside, mountains in the distance and a tucked away beach and peaceful river. This engagement session with Derrick and Emily was all sorts of perfect and fun, and I can’t wait to document their wedding next year. Many thanks, Derrick and Emily!
Read MoreGrouse Mountain Wedding: Spencer & Jasmin
Spencer and Jasmin were married on a gorgeous summer day atop Grouse Mountain, among the trees and those they love most. Jasmin was the picture of a glowing bride, radiant and relaxed, even when a major traffic delay held up the wedding guests – and groom!! – and set back the ceremony. It couldn’t hinder the celebration or the joy, though, and it was a privilege to document it all. Spencer and Jasmin, I hope you enjoy this small sneak peek of your wedding photos…I can’t thank you enough for getting to be your wedding photographer! Jasmin’s hair and makeup were perfected by the girls at Glamor Dolls Studio
Read MoreForest Wedding: Jason & Katherine
In a beautiful ceremony surrounded by a forest of tall trees, and their nearest and dearest, Jason and Katherine became husband and wife. They met through mutual friends at their house warming party, and I just so happened to photograph their wedding, too! Katherine was a bridesmaid of Stefani’s (she’s actually twice been a bridesmaid at a wedding I photographed!), and so I was excited to now photograph her as a bride. The wedding was celebrated with a barn reception, tastefully decorated with white linens, center pieces of fresh herbs and abundant greenery and candles and strings of lights. The evening was made complete with sunset photos of the bride and groom, and many heartfelt speeches, all some of the most touching and entertaining speeches I’ve gotten to witness! From start to finish, Jason and Katherine’s wedding day was beautiful and memorable, and I’m oh so grateful I was able to document it. Jason and Katherine, I can’t thank you enough! I hope you’re having the most amazing honeymoon traveling through Italy and Greece! Venue: Private Property Dress: Maggie Sottero from The Bridal Gallery Shoes: Michael Kors Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie Flowers: Floralista Catering: Sugar Mountain Videography: Ally Fotografy
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