Dorian and Rashanda 5/29/2010
Second Ebenezer Church – Detroit, MI

I remember when I first met Dorian and Rashanda at my house for their consultation. They came across as very warm and loving couple. Energy like that usually draws me more to the couple than my photography draws them to me. Their wedding was not a let down in any way. That same love and affection engulfed their wedding day like one big warm blanket. 

Duane & Crystal May 8, 2010

Wedding held at Gordy Memorial C.O.G.I.C
Reception held at Southgate Civic Center

I first met Duane & Crystal at their friends Jason and Jorvanna’s wedding last August. Both were part of the wedding party. Like a lot of couples I meet at weddings they asked me for a business card and contacted me a few months later. Then I found Crystal was cousins with a client from 2008 and Duane is a drummer for one of my favorite local bands; Black Bottom Collective (talk about small world). Their day was memorable and emotional from start to finish.

Beginnings

My mother Wanda Yvonne Davison and father Oscar Z. Davison had me on 6/29/1976. In October 1977, I lost both parents. What has always amazed me is that I have well over 100 photographs of me and my parents. I’ve done weddings and family portraits when my clients only have 1 or 2 photos of their parents. This is amazing to me. When people ask about why I decided to become a photographer- this is the reason. Not sure where I would be without photos like these.

Time is the most valuable thing anyone has. So its not surprising that most photographers have time based packages (so $$ much for 5 hours, so much $$$ for 8 hours, etc……) while this works for some, it doesn’t work for me.
I was reminded how inconveniencing this can be as I attended an old coworker’s (who somehow forgot I was a professional photographer) wedding last weekend. Apparently she had paid $1800.00 for 5 hours of time. She wanted, “before the wedding,” “the ceremony” and the first “hour” of the reception covered. However they started over an hour late so instead of the photographer going to the reception with them; he took a few formal pictures and went home.
I felt bad for them. If I would have had my camera, I would have done the reception for next to nothing for them. And this is the reason I don’t do “time based packages.” It can be bad for everybody. If a photographer leaves before the cake is cut at a reception, the guest won’t think “they must have only paid him for a few hours.” No, they will think “Wow, their photographer just left! I wouldn’t want to use him!” And I would not feel good about leaving a couple on their wedding day when there are so many other moments that need to be captured. This is just my opinion.
Now don’t get me wrong, I rarely stay at a wedding alllll day. Receptions are like most parties; they come full circle: there’s the quiet beginning, the rocking middle and somewhere in that rocking middle 10 percent of the guests leave, then another 40 percent leave about an half hour later. That’s when I leave. I always check with the bride and groom to make sure all family portraits have been covered and to let them know I’m leaving.
Now; I have the utmost respect for all wedding photographers and how they price their services but when somebody books Kahn Santori Photography, they get Kahn Santori photography for most of the day.

Al & Monique April 18, 2010

Monique had on a dress that was just as elegant as she was. And Al; well Al reminded me of me a lot. LOL He was an old soul with a love for classic hip-hop. The couple was married at Monique’s father’s church Bethel Church in Detroit and the reception was held at Coach Insignia in Detroit’s Renaissance Center. Love and laughter filled their wedding day.

Shelia & Will May 22, 2010

The weather was perfect and the couple was perfect for each other. I knew from their engagement session that this was a special couple and their wedding day was going to be special as well. I must say the highlight of the day was the “Honorary ring bearer” Tyler. Tyer was the couple’s 6 month old pit-bull that seemed to fit right in with the rest of the wedding day. The Wedding was held at Bethesda Christina church in Sterling Heights and the Reception was at the Barrister House in St. Clair Shores.

Phillip and Patricia  April 10, 2010  Toronto, Canada

The morning of April 10, my assistant Paula and I embarked on a short journey to Toronto, Canada to photograph Phillip & Patricia’s wedding.  I can’t say that the drive to Toronto is the most scenic drive-lol, but it was only about 4 hours.  Once we got the to bride’s father’s house, everyone was bustling with energy.  That same energy carried over to the groom’s mother’s house, the church and the reception.  It was truly a blessed day.

David & Christina April 9, 2010

Christina texted me first thing Friday morning, “It’s cold as hec!” LOL. It was 30 degrees outside. Michigan is funny like that. Her wedding was a nice and intimate early afternoon affair at Detroit’s Historic The Whitney. I have photographed hundreds of weddings during my career as a wedding photographer but this was one of the most satisfying because Christina is a dear friend to me. And it’s always a blessing when personal friends find love and that love leads to marriage. Her and David wrote their own vows and I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. What started off as a cold morning quickly became warmest 45-degree afternoon I’ve ever felt.