Michigan Elopement Photographer For Raw, Real Love Stories
If leather jackets, foggy lakes, and campfire vows sound better than ballrooms, chandeliers, or golf course weddings, you’re in the right place.
This Isn’t For Everyone (And That’s Okay)
If your dream day is chandeliers, polished ballrooms, or golf course venues, I might not be the right photographer for you. That world has its place, but it isn’t mine. I’m here for couples who would rather trade the greens for the woods, the banquet hall for a bonfire, and the posed smiles for genuine connection.
Who I Photograph Best
I work best with couples who care more about presence than perfection. The ones who’d rather spend their wedding day under pines, on a lakeshore, or tucked into a cabin than in a crowded ballroom. You love raw emotion, not stiff poses. You want your day to feel like you, wild, real, and unapologetic.
Your love story, exactly as it is – raw, real, and unforgettable
You’re not here for a big traditional wedding. You’re here because you want something real. Something you. a wedding that feels like you. And you need a photographer who sees you, who gets it, who’s all in on making sure your photos bring you right back to how it felt.
Meet Shonda!
I grew up on guitar riffs and nights under the pines. I believe love is wild, messy, tender, and real, just like the music that shaped me and the Northern pines I call home. I’m Shonda, an introverted, hard-rock-loving photographer based in Grayling, Michigan. I care deeply about the quiet, raw moments that matter most, the ones that can’t be staged.
I’m the photographer for couples who feel like the traditional wedding industry doesn’t fit them. I’m the one who says: you’re allowed to do this your way. I’m a guide, an advocate, and a safe space. I carry the grit of rock-and-roll and the softness of an introvert who knows what it’s like to not want a spotlight.
If this sounds like you, then hell yes we’re gonna get along just fine.
Why Elope In Northern Michigan
Because it’s raw, it’s real, and it’s free of the pressure you don’t want. “Up North” means woods, lakes, cabins, rivers, and starry skies.
Picture saying your vows beneath the towering old-growth forests at Hartwick Pines State Park, where the silence of the pines wraps around you like a blessing. Or exchanging rings along the banks of the Au Sable River, with the sound of rushing water carrying your promises downstream. Imagine slipping away to the crystal-clear shores of Higgins Lake, its blue waters reflecting the sky as you begin your next chapter together.
I’ll help you find those hidden gems where your vows won’t just be spoken, they’ll feel like they belong to the land, the water, and the wildness of Northern Michigan.
What It’s Like To Work With Me
Think of it like your favorite live show. Not every note is perfect, but the energy is unforgettable. I’ll give you space to be yourselves, guide you when you need it, and photograph you in a way that feels natural, not staged. You’ll end up with images that feel like you. Raw, wild, and honest.
Years from now, when you’re flipping through your wedding album, you should still feel it. The rush of that moment. The way your heart nearly burst open. Your wedding photos should be more than just pictures, they should bring you right back.
Here’s how I help make that happen:
“Shonda has an incredible gift for helping you connect with the genuine emotions and uniqueness of your relationship. We had so much fun and completely forgot we were at a photo shoot.” – Kaitlyn & Rigo
Why Book Shonda Michelson Photography
Because you don’t want the cookie-cutter wedding. You want photos that feel like your favorite record, honest, loud, a little gritty, and timeless. I blend my love of rock n’ roll with my love of Michigan’s woods and lakes, creating elopement experiences that are equal parts wild and tender. I’m not here to force poses. I’m here to witness and document your love story the way it really is.
“She knew how to make two people who hate their pictures taken to figure out how not to look awkward. It was well worth the money to book a photographer that knows how to work with people to bring out their best, natural selves in photos.” – Anna & Jesse
“Shonda was like a breath of fresh air during the chaos of the day, and she not only captured the beauty of the land we now have pictures of loved ones in moments that we will treasure forever. Her craft and contribution was worth every penny… probably the most important expense of the whole day.” – Liz & Mike
How It Works
Simple, Stress-Free, and Full of Heart. No overwhelm. No guesswork. Just a clear, easy process designed to help you feel seen, relaxed, and freaking excited.
1. Reach Out & Connect Fill out my contact form and I’ll be in touch ASAP. We’ll set up a time for a quick call to talk through your vision, answer questions, and make sure we’re a good fit. No pressure, just a chance to get to know each other.
2. Lock It In Once you’re ready, you’ll choose your package, sign the contract, and pay the retainer to make it official. Your date is locked in, and the fun begins.
3. Guided Every Step of the Way This isn’t a “figure it out on your own” kind of deal. I’m here to guide you every step of the way. I’ll help with location ideas, timeline planning, and whatever else you need to feel confident and supported.
4. Have the Best Damn Day When the day arrives, your only job is to be fully present. Laugh, cry, dance, kiss, whatever feels like you. I’ll be there quietly capturing the magic as it unfolds while you fully live in the moment.
5. Relive the Magic You’ll get a handful of sneak peeks soon after (because the waiting is the hardest part). Then your full gallery will land in your inbox, filled with hand-edited, emotion-soaked images you’ll feel in your chest every time you look at them.