As a couples and engagement photographer, I highly encourage everyone to celebrate and photograph life's in-between moments: those simple ones that you don't usually think twice about but that make life so incredible. This includes dates! Communication, conflict resolution, and trust are all part of a relationship's foundation, but date nights are like little relationship building blocks stacked on top of that foundation. They are the nights of romance and laughter that bring joy into your relationship and help to keep it cozy and warm. Oftentimes though, they are difficult to plan. It can be challenging to think of new ideas and activities to share with your partner, but science shows us that novelty is so important when it comes to quality of life. Novel experiences slow down our perception of time, allowing us to really savor and appreciate moments. Because creating novelty in relationships is so important, I have compiled a list of five date ideas for guaranteed fun in Michigan. This list is filled with unique ideas that are sure to bring a smile to your face. They are quirky, romantic, and less talked about treasures found throughout Michigan that are perfect for creating those necessary relationship building blocks! Visit a Dark Sky Park Wine taste at Tabor Hill Winery and Round Barn Estate Find the faerie doors hidden throughout Ann Arbor. Experience World of Winter. Walk among the dinosaurs. Download my full guide of Michigan date ideas to receive an additional five activities for inspiration! one: Visit a Dark Sky Park or Preserve Dark sky parks are areas with especially low amounts of artificial light where you can view the stars better than you might normally be able to! Michigan Locations : Lake Hudson Recreation Area in Lenawee County Negwegon State Park in Alcona County Port Crescent State Park in Huron County Rockport Recreation Area in Presque Isle County Thompson's Harbor State Park in Presque Isle County Wilderness State Park in Emmett County Headlands Dark Sky Park in Emmet County Park (Internationally Recognized) Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County Park (Internationally Recognized) Planning Your Date: Before going to one of these parks, makes sure to visit the park's website for more information regarding their Dark Sky Preserve's rules and hours. For some locations, you might have to purchase a Recreation Passport. Pack a bag of pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags-- whatever you need to stay cozy and warm! I also suggest bringing hot cocoa or wine (if permitted) with you for maximized comfort. When you reach the park, make sure to keep your artificial light to a minimum in order to reduce light pollution. You will also want to dim your headlights as you pull into the parking lot of your chosen Dark Sky Park. Pro Tip: Make a game out of your visit! Plan your trip during a meteor shower. You can visit the American Meteor Society's website for a full list of meteor showers and their peak dates. While laying under the stars, compete with your partner to see who can spot the most shooting stars. Winner gets a prize! two: Wine taste at Tabor Hill Winery and Round Barn Estate So, first of all: Yes, Michigan has a lot of options when it comes to wine. I realize this, and I love this about our sweet mitten. However, not only are the wines at these two wineries delicious, but Tabor Hill Winery and Round Barn Estate Winery are sisters. Sisters with a small trail connecting the two of them so you can easily hike - drinks in hand - from one to the other! Location: Buchanon, Michigan Planning Your Date: Before you go, download a trail map from Tabor Hill Winery's website . Last I looked, there were over 3.5 miles of trails to explore! You'll also want to visit Tabor Hill or Round Barn's website for hours and to read the official trail rules. When packing a bag to take with you, make sure to grab some sun screen and good shoes. The trails between the wineries are not too strenuous but they are dirt and covered with rocks and tree roots. It might also be a good idea to pack some water for yourself. When you reach Buchanon, Michigan, I recommend parking at Round Barn Estate and grabbing both a bite to eat and a drink to go. Once you're done eating, take your drinks (no glass allowed) and begin your hike to Tabor Hill Winery. Grab a seat outside, order a bottle or flight of wine, and enjoy! Save a cup for the walk back too! Before getting back behind the wheel to head home for the evening, please allow yourself time to sober up. three: Find the faerie doors hidden throughout Ann Arbor. Several businesses throughout Ann Arbor have faerie doors placed inside or outside their buildings. Finding them can be a fun competition or scavenger hunt for anyone willing to spend the day walking downtown! Location: Downtown Ann Arbor, Michigan Planning Your Date: Before heading to Ann Arbor, visit Urban Fairies for a tour map . Because this date requires a lot of walking, you'll want to pack yourself good tennis shoes as well as bottles of water. When you are walking around downtown, always keep an eye out for additional fairy doors! Not all businesses in Ann Arbor are affiliated with Urban Fairies; you might find surprise doors not mentioned on your tour map! Pro Tip: Similar to the Dark Sky Park date idea, this is another date that you can make a game out of. Keep a tally of who finds the most fairy doors; the winner gets to choose dinner! I also recommend making a day out of this date! Ann Arbor has so much goodness to offer. A couple of other ideas for your day in Ann Arbor include visiting graffiti alley, browsing the record and bookshops, visiting the University of Michigan's museums, and walking the University of Michigan's campus. four: Experience World of Winter World of Winter is a festival featuring free art installations across downtown Grand Rapids. Location: Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan Planning Your Date: First and perhaps most important, make sure to check the weather before you go! Grand Rapids is known to have large snowstorms due to the city's proximity to Lake Michigan. You'll want to dress accordingly-- trust me! Make sure to visit World of Winter's website to determine what art installations you want to see and where they are located. Once you've done this, you'll be able to plan out your route for the evening. In addition to art installations, this festival also offers several events and indoor activities. Plan your date for evening-time. Many of the art exhibits feature fun lights in one way or another and are best viewed in the dark. Once you've viewed all the art you planned to see, stop by a local restaurant for a hot drink. You'll most likely need something to warm you up! five: Walk Among the Dinosaurs With a trip to Dinosaur Gardens, you will be able to walk past enormous statues of "life-like" dinosaurs on a half mile walk throughout the forested park. Location: Ossineke, Michigan Planning Your Date: First off, this is a date for the light-hearted! If that's not you, maybe pick another idea off of this list. For this date, you will want to visit Dinosaur Gardens' website to learn about their packages and pricing. Admission starts at $10, and there are tickets that include a round of miniature golf. Like many of the other date ideas on this list, Dinosaur Gardens requires good shoes or tennis shoes. While the trail at this park is short, it is forested. You'll want your feet covered. You'll also want bug spray! Follow up your walking tour with a picnic. There are picnic tables throughout Dinosaur Gardens. As mentioned above, there is also miniature golf available! If you'd like to venture outside of Dinosaur Gardens, another great option for mini golf is Lee's Miniature Golf in Alpena, Michigan. Wrap up your day of laughing with ice cream! take things up a level: add a photographer Make almost any of these date ideas extra memorable by hiring a photographer! In addition to a load of new, fun memories with your partner, you'll now also have tangible evidence of a special activity shared together. If none of the above dates sound like you, make sure to download my full guide of Michigan Date ideas. I also recommend visiting my website to learn more about hiring a photographer for your next date night! Before heading out on any of the aforementioned dates, please do your research. At the time of writing this blog post and creating the guide of Michigan Date ideas, this information was as accurate as possible. Things change quickly though! Double check hours, rules, and more through the provided links. A few of my typical side notes: Merch alert! Pábitel Photography now has stickers available to purchase! They can be ordered directly through me or from Etsy. Interested in buying your loved ones a gift certificate? Gift cards are available all year round! Send me an email to purchase one. Visit my print shop  for nature + landscape photos! I am currently booking all  of the sessions!   Contact   me to learn more, or check out my services   to learn more about what session types I provide. To be the first to hear about new blog posts, business updates, and promotions, make sure to subscribe   to my mailing list. Download your list of my 10 Date Ideas for Guaranteed Fun in Michigan.   Pábitel Photography offers date night sessions! Learn more here.

When I was little, my aunt and uncle would take my younger sister and me to Southeast Michigan's Kensington Metropark. I remember going to the park's Farm Center, where my aunt and uncle would pull out some bird seed and pour it into our hands. After standing still for a few minutes, black-capped chickadees would land on our fingers to snack on the seed. That was back when I wasn't afraid of literally everything. Now that I'm older, I think I would be too nervous to let the birds land on me! Regardless, the memories, while vague, are sweet. It has been years since my aunt and uncle used to take me there, so when Shelby and Ben told me they wanted to do their spring engagement photos at Kensington Metropark, I was thrilled! As many of you might already know, I have been slowly becoming more and more interested in bird photography. I’ve been on a mission to photograph a bald eagle for a few years now, and I’m constantly trying (and failing) to take photos of red-winged blackbirds. This new obsession combined with the sweet time shared with my aunt and uncle as a child, made this session all the more special for me. Kensington is FILLED with birds, and much to my delight, Shelby and Ben’s photos are also filled with birds! Photos with subtle details and secrets have always been my favorite , so I’m excited to have a portrait gallery filled with them! As you look through this blog post, I encourage you to count how many birds you see in the photos. Don’t worry if you think it might be the same bird twice. Once you have your answer, send me an email telling me how many you spotted. Anyone who gets the answer right will receive a $10.00 credit for their next session with Pábitel Photography along with five additional photos added onto the selected session package!* Okay, now onto the fun stuff… Shelby and Ben Shelby and Ben met back in 2019 through a dating app. If you’ve met them, they have probably told you a different story about how they met though. 😉 Their first date was at a bookstore. One of their first dates after that first-first date was to Kensington Metropark where they still like to visit once in awhile with their pups. And, when Ben proposed, he did so in the parking lot of their favorite breakfast spot. Now, I can always tell a lot about a couple during the short amount of time I spend with them planning and executing an engagement session. Just from this quick backstory summary, don’t you feel a sense of home and coziness? Humble moments filled with warmth and love? I sure do! they care about each other's feelings I learned several other things about Shelby and Ben as a couple during our time working together over the last couple of months. For example, when I received a random email from Ben saying “Most important to me is just that Shelby feels stunning in the photos. If there is anything I can do to help with that, please let me know,” I immediately could tell that these two truly care about each other’s interests and feelings. It’s not too often that when working with a couple both reach out to me to help with the planning aspect. Usually, I just have one point of contact (it had been Shelby up until this point)! This was my first session where the other person in the couple reached out to me individually. they balance each other out Out of the two of them, Shelby seems to be much more reserved than Ben who is the more extraverted one in the pair, and while I haven’t known Shelby and Ben very long at all, it is clear to me that they balance each other out perfectly. Watching them talk and interact, it is so obvious that they are best friends. Throughout their hour and a half spring engagement photo session at Kensington, their laughter was absolutely contagious and truly so fun to witness. they are comfortable in the quiet moments The way Shelby and Ben look at each other is something else. Their facial expressions are filled with so much love. It’s heartwarming. When I think of their eyes filled with love, exactly two things come to mind, especially when looking at the photo below. First, a quote from Everything Everywhere All at Once. “…I wanted to say, in another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you.” Sometimes it’s not about the big, exciting moments and accomplishments. A lot of times it’s simply about the little in-between moments: a glance here and there, a person’s gentleness, and who makes those dreaded life tasks much more enjoyable. This one line completely encapsulates how Shelby and Ben look at each other. And second, a Taylor Swift lyric (you know her lyrics are constantly running through my mind). “...give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other.” This is what I see when I look at Shelby and Ben. I have said it over and over again, but it’s the little, quiet, in-between moments that make life, or in this case, a relationship so wonderful. These simple, real moments are so beautiful and are what you truly want to remember whether you're aware of it at the time or not. These seconds are the ones to photograph and the ones to build a life upon, and from what I can tell, Shelby and Ben have already created a pretty solid foundation to start with. Thank you, Shelby and Ben, for letting me into your lives and for creating such magic with me. I can't wait for your September wedding! *Offer only valid through July 1, 2022. A contract must be signed, and a deposit paid, for your session by June 1st, 2022. More details will be sent through email to those who qualify. A few of my typical side notes: I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out my services to learn more about what session types I provide. I am looking for two real couples to model for me. The session and photos are free! Learn more and apply today! Download your list of my 10 Date Ideas for Guaranteed Fun in Michigan. NEW for 2022: gift cards and a print shop for my nature + landscape photos. Contact me to purchase a gift card, and visit my print shop here. Pábitel Photography is now on Society6! Visit my shop , and read about why I chose Society6 as a source of passive income!

An engagement session is a way of illustrating your love story. For some couples, that means taking photos in a favorite park. For others, it means revisiting where they first met. For Bettina and Donavin, illustrating their love story involved mastering a specific vision. This vision included hosting their engagement session in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they've shared many dates, and it also meant achieving a very unique aesthetic in order to appropriately and subtly tie in their shared love of reading. In my notes from their consultation, I wrote this brief description of what they were hoping for in their photos: "Cinematic/Romantic. Grain and black-and-white. Wedding: Moody/bookish. Fairy tale." This aesthetic is one that we captured flawlessly. In fact, when Bettina sent me inspiration images and told me that they'd like to take their photos in downtown Grand Rapids, I immediately knew which streets had the best architecture for their iconic vision of cinematic romance. The Ledyard Building (my favorite building in downtown Grand Rapids) had to be part of the session somehow. Actually, the entire block that the Ledyard Building sits on was calling - no, shouting - our names. Bettina and Donavin's outfits were just as crucial to pulling off their desired aesthetic as the location of their engagement session was. In order to receive a gallery of photos resembling scenes from the pages of a romance novel, their outfits needed to be exceptional. To the surprise of no one , they were just that and beyond. As Bettina and Donavin walked toward me from across a parking lot at the start of their city session, they appeared as though they had just stepped off a movie set. I'm talking a blockbuster, Notebook, Sleepless in Seattle, Pretty Woman type of classic. Bettina took my breath away in a strapless, satin white dress with mesh sleeves and chunky cream heels while Donavin stunned in a coordinating collared shirt and dress pants. My jaw could have fallen right to the ground as I admired their perfectly clean-cut outfits and neutral color palette. All throughout their session and ever since it ended, I have constantly found myself struck by the beauty of Bettina and Donavin's love for one another. I have come to the conclusion that these two could be picked up out of 2025 and placed in the fifties or twenties instead. Somehow, they would still find each other. My mind flips between a few concepts when looking through their engagement gallery: timelessness, reincarnation, and this quote by Kazuo Ishiguro that - upon reading it - immediately made me reflect on both my own life and on how Bettina and Donavin first met in high school. "There was another life that I might have had, but I am having this one." Isn't that just so beautiful? There are several moments in my own life that I can pinpoint as "turning moments." Moments where my life branched from its original timeline and headed in a completely different, and often somewhat unexpected, direction. Like how I once considered a career as a child life specialist only to almost fail a college biology course two times in a row, leading me to switch majors and career paths. Or, how spontaneously attending a silly party on campus allowed me to meet my husbabe. And how meeting my now-husband that fateful night also brought forth the most refreshing new friendships and a level of comfort and safety I had never experienced before. One of the most prominent branches that I can think of in my own life involves working at an event rental company while living with my parents after college. I absolutely hated this job, and the longer I worked there, the more depressed I became. At the time, I had been considering a career in the event industry, having previously worked at a conference center for four years and having loved every minute of my time there. This specific job was a complete 180 from the conference center though, and eventually, I hit a breaking point. In a moment of desperation, I made the decision to finally commit to photography, something I had been loving on the side ever since receiving my first camera in the third grade. I'm sure if I really sat down to think back on the rest of my life, I could find hundreds - if not thousands - of life decisions that helped lead me to where I am now. Every choice is a chance at a new life, and I'm so incredibly grateful for all of the turning moments that have brought me to today, to this moment of working from home, being paid to photograph timeless loves like Bettina's and Donavin's, and to spending my days and nights with my best friend. There was another life that I might have had. There are millions of other lives that I might have had. But I am having this one, and I'm so much better for it. Now, they can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm fairly certain that the same can be said about Bettina and Donavin's lives. I mean, as I mentioned before, these two first met in high school. After graduation, they fell out of touch, but something - be it an invisible string or a million different turning moments - brought them back together years later. I suspect that several individual choices were made on both their parts to make their love story possible and to write this beautiful chapter of bliss and togetherness. After an engagement session full of laughter and bustling city streets, Bettina and Donavin now have a gallery filled with images celebrating those countless life decisions. Photos that showcase their cinematic romance and timeless love for one another. Photos that honor the many date nights that paved the way to their engagement, and photos that - thanks to Bettina and Donavin's genuine emotion and connection - will tell their story for years to come. There was another life they each might have had. There were millions of lives they each might have had. But they are having this one, together, and boy, does it look beautiful on them. 🖤 A few of my typical side notes: Pábitel Photography is now on Bluesky! Merch alert! Pábitel Photography now has stickers available to purchase! They can be ordered directly through me or from Etsy. Interested in buying your loved ones a gift certificate? Gift cards are available all year round! Send me an email to purchase one. Visit my print shop  for nature + landscape photos! I am currently booking all  of the sessions!   Contact   me to learn more, or check out my services   to learn more about what session types I provide. To be the first to hear about new blog posts, business updates, and promotions, make sure to subscribe   to my mailing list. Download your list of my 10 Date Ideas for Guaranteed Fun in Michigan.

Lisa Calandrino of Pábitel Photography is a couples photographer servicing West and Mid-Michigan areas such as Grand Rapids and Saginaw, Michigan. FINDING BEAUTY IN LIFE'S SIMPLE MOMENTS Pábitel Photography Welcome Pábitel Photography by Lisa Calandrino a b o u t p o r t f o l i o b l o g s e r v i c e s i n v e s t m e n t s h o p c l i e n t s c o n t a c t Shop Nature + Landscape Prints Mid-Michigan couples photographer serving Saginaw, Flint, Lansing, and beyond. Spring Engagement Photo | Michigan Couples Photographer An engagement photo taken at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Michigan by Michigan couples photographer Lisa Calandrino Lifestyle Maternity Photo | Michigan Maternity Photographer A lifestyle maternity photo taken in a Fenton, Michigan home by Michigan maternity photographer Lisa Calandrino Couples Maternity Session | Chesaning, Michigan A couples maternity photo taken in Chesaning, Michigan by Michigan maternity photographer Lisa Calandrino Spring Engagement Photo | Michigan Couples Photographer An engagement photo taken at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, Michigan by Michigan couples photographer Lisa Calandrino 1/10 If your hobbies include sipping on chocolate martinis, walking and talking, and celebrating the small things in life... you're in the right place. More about Lisa → Definition of a Pábitel → View the portfolio Portfolio Meet Lisa About Learn about services Services "Lisa has photographed such important events for me and my family. Her expertise and professionalism are great, but her talent and personality are even better. Lisa has provided me with amazing memories to look back on and she'll be my photographer for the future." -AMBER Highland Township, Michigan Reviews → B L O G five date ideas for guaranteed fun in Michigan bettina + donavin, a cinematic engagement session in Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan what to wear for your photo session: styling tips from Pábitel Photography JOIN PABITEL PHOTOGRAPHY'S MAILING LIST TO RECEIVE 10 DATE IDEAS FOR GUARANTEED FUN IN MICHIGAN First + Last Name Email Subscribe → Thanks for submitting! Pábitel Photography by Lisa Calandrino Serving Saginaw, Michigan + elsewhere ABOUT | PORTFOLIO | BLOG | INVESTMENT | SHOP | CLIENTS | CONTACT | REVIEWS SERVICES | BOUDOIR | MATERNITY | ENGAGEMENT SAGINAW, MICHIGAN | FLINT, MICHIGAN PABITELPHOTOGRAPHY@OUTLOOK.COM © 2023 Lisa Calandrino | Pabitel Photography | A Sunny Blossom Template ©Pábitel Photography

Michigan maternity photographer Lisa Calandrino of Pábitel Photography offers an exclusive package for expecting mothers. motherhood MAGIC Exclusive to my mothers-to-be, the Motherhood Magic package combines three sessions for a discounted price. These sessions include a maternity session , a boudoir maternity session, and a motherhood session. When these three session types are booked together with a signed contract, 20% will be taken off of the total session fee. Classic, Elegant, and Timeless packages may all be applied to the Motherhood Magic package in any combination. MATERNITY Maternity sessions can be solo, with your significant other, or with your entire immediate family for no additional cost. See my investment guide for sessions with more than five people. BOUDOIR Boudoir maternity sessions are intended for up to two people and typically take place in-home. Many women choose to do these sessions as a way to honor their strong, changing bodies. MOTHERHOOD Motherhood sessions are another beautiful way to honor motherhood and the relationship between mother and child. These sessions are intended for mother and young children only. Motherhood sessions may also include breastfeeding sessions. INVESTMENT CONTACT LISA SERVICES five tips for making the most out of your next couples session the Shepard family, a three-generation family session in Grand Ledge, Michigan samantha, Christmas photos outside Zehnder's of Frankenmuth in Michigan's quaint Little Bavaria

A downloadable list of 10 date ideas for guaranteed fun in Michigan written by Michigan Couples Photographer Lisa Calandrino of Pábitel Photography Michigan Date Ideas FOR GUARANTEED FUN Enjoy Michigan like a local should: visiting all of the best places and hidden gems! This list of 10 Date Ideas for Guaranteed Fun in Michigan is filled with activities that are sure to bring a smile to your face. These dates are not meant for tourists; they are not things people come to Michigan to see. Instead, they are quirky, romantic, and less talked about treasures found throughout our gorgeous state that are perfect for a couple like you and your significant other! SIGN UP BELOW TO RECEIVE 10 DATE IDEAS FOR GUARANTEED FUN IN MICHIGAN First + Last Name Email Download → Check your email to download the list!