I love when I have a second shooter at a wedding with me. I frequently travel for weddings and have a very unique schedule, so it doesn’t always work to bring someone along… and honestly I have photographed the majority of weddings on my own. That doesn’t change the fact that when I do have someone working with me, it’s usually very helpful.

A second shooter can be added in to a wedding photography package so that additional coverage takes place for the whole event. Shooting in two different places allows images to be captured like the one you see above (shot by Kaylan Buteyn for me at Brendan+Stephanie’s wedding). I would highly recommend this for weddings that are larger events, or if you just want additional coverage. They also help carry gear around, set up any lighting, and organize bridal parties and families (large groups take extra help).

So, how do I find second shooters or assistants? It’s usually people that I know and are familiar working with. I wouldn’t bring a complete stranger with me because I can just imagine the horror stories I would be telling afterward. That being said, if you are someone who would like to work with me and join me for some weddings, let me get to know you and see if you’d be a good fit to work with. Email me at hello{at}marydougherty.net with your name, location, experience, $ requirements, and a few samples of your work and I’d love to talk! If you think you would be interested in interning I would love to hear from you as well, although at this point I can’t promise any credit fulfilling positions but perhaps we can work something out in the future.

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A conservatory is the perfect hideaway during a cold winter day. Filled with lush plants and bright colors you wander through the themed rooms and easily forget the snow outside. Conservatories seem to be a somewhat outdated thing, although I really do hope they stick around. I’m talking like they’re an animal on the verge of extinction, but any northerners who endure harsh winters know how important it is to be reminded of life outside of the cold.

When Elizabeth and Jared were planning their engagement session I naturally suggested the Belle Isle conservatory, and trusting my opinion we met up there a few days after Christmas. Not only is it interesting inside, but the outside of the conservatory also boasts some architectural history and visual interest and as you can see it was a beautiful day. Together the variety of light and locations in the photos create a complete set that I really love.

Did you know that Elizabeth and I went to high school together? In fact we were both in photography together so she can vouch for my early interest. Oh, that was back in those ancient days when we used something called a darkroom… I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it. I’m going to have to dig up some of my high school work and show you guys – you’d like that, right?

Snow angels? yes. They were up for anything. I didn’t capture the process as well as I did the kiss afterward. Mark your calendars for August when they’re getting married because I know I’m going to shoot some amazing photos at their wedding!

I don’t know about you, but in my family* everyone except me and my brother in law have a birthday in between a one month span… starting Dec. 24 until Jan 25. So, not only is this a busy holiday time, it really is birthday season. It started with my niece’s birthday on the 24th, who is just as adorable as in the picture above. Sitting in her birthday outfit – that I picked out, thanks to target – she was delighted and puzzled at the presents and attention. I can’t believe she’s one already and wish I didn’t have to live so far away from her!

Today we celebrated the next birthday, my mom’s, and after eating the gourmet dinner we cooked up Sarah played several rounds of happy birthday on the piano and we dived in to a lemon chiffon cake (recipe from the cookbook of our famous cousin Jen and her restaurant Hell’s Backbone Grill. Ours didn’t look as good as the picture so I’ll have to call her for tips.) Tonight’s activities ended with a rousing came of scattergories and it was good to be at home. Next up: my husband! His birthday is in mid January and I’ll admit I don’t have much planned as of now. Anyone want to email me some good ideas?

With the holidays the days have blurred together, workouts fell by the wayside, and it’s been a struggle to switch back to work mode. Things have picked up although I’ve enjoyed some nice time off that was much needed after a very busy year. Today I had a great time shooting some engagement photos and have included one below for you. Elizabeth and Jared were so fun to photograph and I can’t wait to come back to Michigan in August. I’m getting ready for my wedding this weekend and am looking forward to finally celebrating New Years with friends in Rochester New York. Lots of plans are being made for next summer, and like many people I heard stories of fabulous engagements over the holidays. If you want to check my schedule and get some more information email me sooner than later so that you have first choice on the date and I can work out the details with you. I can’t wait to complete my 2010 wedding line up and already have some fabulous brides I’m so lucky to be working with!

I had such an adventure with Julie and Eric during their engagement shoot over the holidays. I was in Michigan and met them on Belle Isle, a interesting and somewhat mysterious island outside of Detroit. I’m going to start out backwards, because I love the image about and have to tell the story about it. This swing set was made into an island as the temperatures warmed up and the snow melted. I loved what the water added to the location and since they were up for the adventure they walked out in bare feet to get on the swings!! yikes! it was awesome- and totally worth it, don’t you think? It’s a great story, and I love the pics that came out of it.

Oh, and that fountain I posted about? It was right next to the swing set… I loved that there were lots of other people stopping their cars to go see the ice formation! Now back to the beginning…

We were in the tropical land of the conservatory, which was filled with lush greenery that was very inviting from the bleak outdoors. Julie + Eric totally warmed up to the camera, even though I know at first they felt a little out of place, you can’t tell at all. I love this one below… lean in.. closer…

Things heated up in the fernery…

and the cactus room!

The color of the poinsettias was fabulous and so festive. You don’t see that much red outside this time of year.

I wanted to include a progression of them jumping, even though it’s much better seen larger. My favorite is prob the third from the right- look at that height!

Julie + Eric were so good looking they acquired some paparazzi. A random fellow (but not the guy in the photo above) decided to snap some photos of them- on more than one occasion. haha nothing like some onlookers to make you feel a little awkward, or celebrity-ish – you choose.

Outside the Detroit skyline was moody, but I think it was a perfect backdrop for these romantic shots. I’ll leave you with that and hope you enjoyed the adventure to Belle Isle!

You might have seen this little guy in some photos I took soon after his birth. Well I was back in Michigan and had a chance to meet up with Kara and Ian once again, and had a lot of fun capturing Ian’s emerging personality. He was so cute and intrigued by the camera; definitely a natural and I love all of his expressions.

Oh, and did I mention, he has amazingly blue eyes? (the photo was edited but the blue you see is really what you get!) We went outside and Ian loved playing with the grass right outside the basket he was in!

Let me give a recap of what we’ve done so far since our trip to MI… Thursday: got up and picked blackberries (the mosquitoes bit us a lot), my mom made jam, I took photos of Ian, Sarah and Ellie made ice cream, we had steak dinner, then we watched a movie.

Friday: Matt & I went for a morning run, we went to the zoo, Matt and I tried on frog masks- but bought mugs instead, we had lunch, saw more animals, drove home, were veered off the highway by a state trooper who was closing the road, had root beer floats, went to the pool, made french fries (from scratch!), had dinner + sat outside and talked.

Saturday: walked the dog, ate scones, got Caribou coffee, went to the bank, went to the small farmers market at the end of our street, bought vegetables (including fresh figs), came home, Matt got locked in the bathroom (it’s an old door and the lock broke) and that brings us to now!

Also, for everyone wondering if I have a more traditional website with galleries, etc… I wanted to let you know I’m working on it! It probably won’t be ready for a little while but hopefully not too long! Also, for anyone getting married next summer and thinking about contacting me- do so soon! My schedule is starting to fill up so it’s best to let me know soon.