Back in September, I had the opportunity to document the birthday party of a very kind, beautiful woman. As a fairly new resident of Grand Rapids, many of Barbara’s friends and family members flew in from California to celebrate a fantastic occasion held at their home in East Grand Rapids. To ensure that every detail was perfect, they put Jodi Bos of In Any Event in charge of everything. Jodi did not disappoint (does she ever?)!
In case you’ve been living under a rock, Grand Rapids welcomed a sommelier’s dream to downtown in September! We were asked to do the photography for the website along with the Christening Ceremony and a couple private parties hosted by Dick and Betsy DeVos, owners of Reserve. The first party was for their close family and friends to help train the staff and the second was for leaders in the community to introduce them to the concept of a wine bar, and of course, to further iron out any kinks before the doors officially opened at the start of ArtPrize. Once a federal bank, the building still maintains it’s historic charm including the original bank vault, now home to the wine cellar. In it’s transformation it became gloriously modern. Not in the stark, uncomfortable fashion, but in the way you can’t help but exhale when standing on the beach listening to the waves crash. Everything is as it should be. Actually, you can pull a chair up to the wall of happiness (some people refer to it as a cruvinet) and sip a pinot noir while taking in the 1st Place ArtPrize piece from 2009… Ran Ortner’s Open Water No. 24. The space was meticulously designed and perfectly balanced. It was a photographer’s playground… Special thanks to Ryan for assisting on this project. It was an unbelievable, incredible month and I couldn’t have asked for a better wing man.
Disclaimer: In case you’re getting any lofty ideas, normally, we do not accept corporate work. In this case and in the case of Marie Catrib’s, we already had established relationships with the clients. Thanks for your understanding!
The talent that makes the whole place sing
Party #1
The Christening Ceremony and Tour for the Press
The big unveiling... the press is invited inside
The perfect start to the second party
Another key player in Reserve -- he's better known as the man behind Martha's Vineyard
The second half of the day as promised! The B.O.B. played host to a silent auction, raffle and three part fashion show benefitting the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital! Not only did it feature the hair and makeup creations by Design 1 and wardrobe by b.-VAIN Couture II (Kirk Johnson currently designing for Patti LaBelle), but it also included a show from Lil’ Sprouts with the talented kids who used to be patients at the hospital! Leigh’s, located in Breton Village Mall also played an important role showcasing their latest designs… I’m pretty sure I NEED the black leather jacket. A group of women behind me thought they needed most of pieces showcased. Then they mentioned they needed new husbands or the same husbands with better jobs. I couldn’t help but laugh!! Certainly an incredible cause and an extraordinary event… I was so honored to be a part of it. Be sure to give love to our first class talent and our local businesses!! Not to mention all the people who have made Medical Hill the wonder that it has become!!
Introducing Lil’ Sprouts! How handsome is this little man!!
How fantastic is this? Sweet little peanut. 
Introducing Leigh’s!
And finally, Design 1!
My FAVORITE photos ever!!!
Kirk Johnson w/one of the models
Next up… a couple of lovely Christmas parties and a ton of weddings to keep you warm through the winter!!
One of the greatest salon and day spas in Grand Rapids, Design 1, just hosted a fabulous evening of fashion, music, silent auction, and runway show to benefit the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital slated to open in just a few weeks! To watch a short video about this event, please check out this great interview with the sweet Lisa Perdue! I was so honored when Lisa sent me an email to ask if I was willing to be a part of this incredible evening! Of course, one of my favorite parts of any event is the getting ready stage — luckily they entertained my request to photograph hair and makeup with the models earlier in the day. :) Not only that, but I was given the opportunity to do head shots for the models and for Design 1’s portfolio. In short, a fantastic afternoon! Part two will be the actual event held later that evening. Be sure to stay tuned to that next post… some of my favorite photos EVER!
A glimpse of the talented staff at Design 1 and a small handful of the models…
