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phern — michigan & chicago photographer

@thewildphern

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True-to-life wedding imagery
for couples who value real colors, connection, and style. 🥂
✨available for travel✨

POSTS STORIES REELS

So I’m HORRIBLE at taking BTS; wanna know what I did?

I hired someone to do it for me. 💯 And now I have all these FUN videos of me LOVING my job, giving direction, and celebrating my couples. 🥹

All of my 2025 weddings are currently in the Metro Detroit area or Chicago. I’ve got two client calls tomorrow for Chicago, one for Michigan lakeshore, and a call next week for COLORADO. 🤞🏼

I’ve got 7 more weekends in a row with 9 weddings of partying with my favorite people in the whole world, getting to know their friends and families, and documenting some really irreplaceable moments.

So so so grateful God has helped me get here.

I have taken on some special weddings to me for next year, but I have currently only been booking through June 2025.

Prioritizing connection and family traditions next year, so don’t hesitate to reach out before your date gets taken up by another couple or a family vacation 😉

Here’s to hoping @instagram still let’s this reel get views even though it’s 12:22 AM 🥲

Special thanks to @gramsofmags for these clips. 🥹

www.thewildphern.com

#chicagoweddingphotographer #detroitweddingphotographer #michiganweddingphotographer #grandrapidsbride #weddingphotoinspiration by @thewildphern

The vibes on these photos are exactly how I feel about turning 30 today. 🥳🥰 Very feminine, confident, and HYPE. I’m excited for the wisdom gained in my WILD twenties to carry me through this next decade.

If I were to have a favorite nontraditional bridal look ever, this would have to be the one. 😍😍😍 First of all, purple is just her color. And second of all, ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THE FAIRY WINGS. 😍😭🥹

S & W had a cutie little backyard wedding and a PARTYYY party at @goeicentergr 🥳 To say I’m looking forward to sharing more of this day is a severe understatement. 🔥

www.thewildphern.com by @thewildphern

Listen. It’s hard for me to ever say, “this is my favorite picture I’ve ever taken” because I’ve taken SO many over 14 years, BUT I can confidently say this one is definitely one of my favorites ever.

And what a CRIMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE that it’s not the first photo in my main grid, so here it is on its own.

This was my first wedding back since giving birth to Penelope. I was very anxious and nervous knowing I needing to balance the level of service I strive to provide and also weave in time to pump. Not to mention, I had a pretty traumatic birth. Traumatic as in my doctors didn’t know if I physically was even going to be on this Earth to photograph it. To say it was scary isn’t strong enough verbiage.

Leading up to this wedding, I hired an assistant and second photographer out of my own pocket to ensure my clients experience didn’t take a dip due to very personal reasons.

I don’t know if it was the months away from weddings that sparked a fire, the fact that I almost wasn’t alive for this, this incredible venue, or a combination of all, but this is definitely one of the galleries I’m most proud of.

This is definitely my FAVORITE reception photo ever. During very genuine speeches and toasts. I sat back, took some laps around the room, watched for opportunities of emotion, storytelling, and art.

I LOVED chandelier and the framing on its own, but something in me thought it needed a little je ne sais quoi. So out came my iPhone to create that reflection at the bottom. Combined with the off camera flash on the head table and the contrasting shadows, I give you one of my best works. 😍

VENDORS BEHIND THIS WEDDING DAY:

Photography — @thewildphern
Videography — @cvideosolutions
Planner/Coordinator — @marissadaniellaevents
HMUA — @lipstickandbrides
Florist — @jenhousedesign
Catering/Desserts/Bar — @saintjohnsresort
Entertainment — @prestige_weddings_events
Wedding Dress — @weddingshoppemi
Bridesmaids Dresses — @birdygrey
Suits — @theblacktux
Rings — @zalmanstreasures
Stationery — @mintedweddings by @thewildphern

I really love @newvintageplace for letting Edee attend her paw-rent’s wedding ceremony. 🥺🥹

She was the BEST, most well-behaved pup. 💖

I’ve got the Riveras on my screen for the next week, in between being a mama, and delivering ASAP. Planning on sending out these galleries before November:

— Dudley Family
— Vancompernolle Family
— Harman Maternity

Seven more sessions and one wedding before the month ends. Also hoping to fit in my family’s annual fall photos, but it might end up being some winter ones. 🤣😅

Vendors behind the wedding day:

Venue: @newvintageplace @ryevenues
Photography: @thewildphern
Florist: @blooms_allthingsflowers
Catering: @kangarookitchengr
Band: @bluewaterkingsband
Wedding Dress: @beckersbridal @beckersbridaloutlet
Suit: Woodland Tailoring
Rings: @almassian_jewelers

Inquiries —
www.thewildphern.com by @thewildphern

The prettiest Amway Grand wedding. 🥹 The whole day was really beautiful, but the reception decor really blew me away. 😍

Freaked out this entire day because THE Marissa Kelly asked me to second shoot this wedding with her. 💖 by @thewildphern

I’m such a sucker for arches and intricate details. 🥺🥺🥺

When I was a junior in high school, I took an intro to architecture college class and seriously considered going into that field. That part of me lives on in my photography, I suppose. 😅

Williams Bay, Wisconsin wedding second shot for Lindsay Elaine Photography 💖

www.thewildphern.com by @thewildphern

SO EXCITED TO SEE THEM TOMORROW. 🥰🍁

So many minis this month and into the first week of November!!! THANK YOU for getting ALL my spots booked, and I can’t wait to see everyone. 🥰🥰🥰

www.thewildphern.com by @thewildphern

A classic Lincoln Park Zoo + North Ave location combo for these two’s engagement session in Chicago. 😍

Currently nap trapped in the car typing up this caption. Ellie had such an irregular morning and only napped for 20 minutes. Thankfully, she was mostly happy until the car ride to run errands then go to my appointment. Poor girl had a hard time falling asleep. :(

Long story short, I skipped the errands and parked somewhere shaded. Now scheduling some posts to give myself less to think about later!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday! by @thewildphern

Favorite parts of S & W’s wedding day (spoiler — it’s all of it): 👇🏼

🥂The sweetest champagne toast with all of their backyard ceremony guests.

🥂 Their BFF handshake on slide 7 right after signing their marriage license.

🥂 Celebrating with their bestest friends at an Airbnb for a BBQ lunch before heading to their reception.

🥂 Then a PARTYYYY on the dance floor with all of their people celebrating them.

Truly an extraordinary day. 🥂

Inquiries:
www.thewildphern.com by @thewildphern

Embrace your bridal era. ✨

Some of my favorites from M’s details, getting ready, & solo sets. 😍 Her bridal robe was everything and obviously M was the star of the day. 🔥

Lots of editing so far this week! Sent out the Kings, VanderWeeles, and Larson’s are going out soooooon. Rivera wedding is up on my queue as well, then the Hopkinses as soon as that’s sent out!!!!

Lots of fall sessions this weekend and prepping for G & Z’s wedding next weekend!

October is soooooo good!!!

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VENDORS BEHIND THIS WEDDING DAY:

Photography @thewildphern
Venue — @thevenueat501
Floral — @sugarbeetsuite
HMUA — @looks.by.livvvv @till_death_do_us_pretty
Dress — @beckersbridal @beckersbridaloutlet
Suits — @bunnytuxedos
Bridesmaids Dresses — @azazieofficial @azaziebridal
DJ — Big Newk Party Time DJ
Rings — @kayjewelers

Inquiries:
www.thewildphern.com by @thewildphern

Delivered this incredible wedding at Grand Traverse Resort last week.

Some things I REALLY loved:
✨ this couple, obviously
✨ HER DRESS
✨ the personality of their parties 👏🏼
✨ big emotions
✨ bubble ceremony exit 🥳

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Team behind the day 💖

Photo @thewildphern
Venue @gt_resort @gtrweddings
Bridesmaids dresses @shoprevelry
Wedding dress @beckersbridal @beckersbridaloutlet
HMUA @elegantonarrival by @thewildphern

I really need to learn how to do a double exposure in post because this is my favorite photo from our wedding formals in the mountains from the incredible @aliceshootspeople 💖🍁

How has it been three years?

Finally catching up on my editing queue and it feels SO GOOD. I’m taking this lovely Monday away from my desk to run some errands and make it to a workout. Prioritizing the gym this week because last week was exhausting. 😅

www.thewildphern.com by @thewildphern