Keenan + Sydney // East Tawas, Michigan

There are some weddings that feel a little different to photograph, and Keenan and Sydney’s was definitely one of them.

I’ve known Keenan since he was little. His sister, Danielle, was my best friend growing up, so I got to watch him grow up over the years. Getting to be the one photographing his wedding all these years later felt a little surreal—and really, really special. As I have gotten to know his other half Sydney I have really learned how absolutely perfect they are together.

When I arrived at Lake Life Cottages, she was already completely dressed and ready. I walked in, saw her, and genuinely stopped in my tracks. She was one of the most beautiful brides I have ever seen. Her entire dress shimmered with glitter, and with the way it caught the light, she looked like an actual princess. There really isn’t another way to describe it.

The beginning of the day required a little improvising. We had a plan for their first look location, but a few hiccups meant we had to pivot... and then pivot again. But Keenan and Sydney never seemed bothered by any of it. There was no scrambling, no stress, no feeling like the day was falling behind. They were just calm, happy, and excited to get married.

And somehow, all of those changed plans led us somewhere even better.

We ended up doing their first look at the place where Keenan and Sydney had their very first kiss.

It was one of those moments where the backup plan ends up being so much more meaningful than the original one ever could have been. After being together for so long, they got to see each other for the first time on their wedding day in a place that was already part of their story.

Their entire wedding carried that same feeling. It was simple and intimate, with no bridal party and no need for a hundred extra things happening around them. Just Keenan and Sydney, their families, and the beautiful lake behind them at Lake Life Cottages in East Tawas. And honestly, it was perfect. They weren’t worried about everything going exactly according to plan. They weren’t stressed about the little things. They were just genuinely excited to finally be married.

After so many years together, surrounded by the people who mattered most, Keenan and Sydney got their perfect lakefront wedding day. And I’m so grateful I got to be there to photograph it. ❤️