the petoskey wedding experience
As a Northern Michigan wedding photographer, I am especially drawn to Petoskey because of the way celebrations here feel. Couples gather their favorite people for weekends spent by the water, reconnecting with old friends, honoring family traditions, and creating new memories together. Combined with the soft coastal light and the charm of Little Traverse Bay, it's a place where meaningful stories unfold naturally and where some of my favorite weddings take place.
The moments that matter most are often the ones you never see coming. A steadying breath before the ceremony. A familiar hand reaching for yours. The burst of laughter during a toast or the quiet relief that settles in once the day is finally here.
There is an ease to weddings in Petoskey. From peaceful harbor mornings to evenings spent overlooking Little Traverse Bay, celebrations here invite people to slow down and be fully present with the people they love most.
My approach blends gentle guidance with a documentary perspective. I am present when you need direction and quiet when a moment deserves space, creating an environment where you can simply be yourselves.
The images we create will feel heartfelt, timeless, and true to your experience.
Rooted in presence, connection, & story
the anna beth smith wedding experience
Your mother's eyes softening as she sees you for the first time. The hug from a cousin you haven't seen in years. Looking around the dance floor and realizing all of your favorite people are in the same room.
These are the moments that stay with you. The ones you could never plan for, but never want to forget.
My approach is rooted in presence. I'm here to photograph the emotion, the connection, and the moments in between that make a Northern Michigan wedding feel uniquely yours.
The best wedding photographs don’t just show how your day looked; they bring you back to how it felt.
When you invite me into your wedding day, you are welcoming someone into a deeply meaningful chapter of your life. I don't take that lightly.
My role is to help create space for you to be fully present with the people you've gathered, while thoughtfully documenting the moments that make your celebration uniquely yours. From the quiet anticipation before the ceremony to the hugs from cousins you haven't seen in years to the packed dance floor at the end of the night, I am there to preserve it all with care and intention.
Your Petoskey Wedding Story
Petoskey and its surrounding lakeshore offer unforgettable wedding settings, each with its own personality. Whether your celebration takes place at a historic hotel by the bay, a lakeside resort, or a private estate, this region is filled with places that bring a sense of beauty and meaning to your day.
Beautiful Petoskey & Northern Michigan Wedding Locations
- Stafford’s Perry Hotel: Historic charm overlooking Little Traverse Bay. I have photographed several weddings here, and the setting always feels warm, inviting, and full of character.
- Bay Harbor: Bay Harbor offers elegant spaces with expansive views of Lake Michigan. Whether you celebrate at the Inn at Bay Harbor, Bay Harbor Yacht Club, or another nearby venue, it's an ideal setting for couples who want an elegant wedding weekend by the water.
- Walloon Lake: Walloon Lake is known for its calm water, soft light, and generations of family traditions. From Hotel Walloon and Walloon Lake Inn to Walloon Lake Country Club, the atmosphere here feels timeless, relaxed, and deeply meaningful.
- Harbor Springs: A little farther up the coast, Harbor Springs offers a relaxed coastal charm. Its harbor, sailboats, and welcoming atmosphere make it a beautiful place to gather with the people you love most.
- Charlevoix: Charlevoix offers vibrant lake views, historic architecture, and stunning sunsets. It's a wonderful choice for couples looking for a celebration that feels scenic, joyful, and full of personality.
- Private Residences and Lakeside Homes: Many couples choose to celebrate on family property or at a private lakeside home. These intimate settings often create some of the most personal and meaningful wedding days I photograph.
I'm anna
I grew up spending summers at the lake just down the road from my childhood home. It's where I learned to swim, spent countless afternoons with my sisters and friends, and developed a deep appreciation for the places that become part of our story.
Since then, I've spent the last decade photographing weddings, getting married, starting a family, and becoming increasingly nostalgic along the way. Somewhere in the midst of it all, I began to appreciate the things that stay with us. The people who've known you the longest. The places you return to year after year. The traditions you'll talk about long after the weekend is over.
Maybe that's why I love Northern Michigan weddings so much. They're rarely just about the wedding day itself. They're about gathering your favorite people in your favorite place and celebrating the heck out of it.
Built on lake weekends, family traditions, and a little nostalgia
Hello,
- Chelsea & Jack
"I loved having her there by my side the whole day - the best wingwoman ever!"
kind words
I do! Film has become a meaningful part of my creative process, and I’ll often bring a few rolls with me to weddings when it feels right for the light, the moment, or the story unfolding. It isn’t something I guarantee or offer as an add-on just yet, but when I do shoot it, you can expect those images to blend beautifully with your digital gallery—timeless, nostalgic, and full of character.
That feeling is more common than you might think, and you are not alone in it. Most of my couples share some uncertainty about being in front of the camera.
Guiding you gently and helping you feel at ease is a core part of my work. I will offer simple direction when needed and create space for you to relax into the experience. My goal is for you to feel comfortable, confident, and fully present so your images reflect what is real between you, not what feels forced.
FAQS
Your Petoskey Wedding Photographer
Petoskey weddings have a way of slowing things down. The lake, the light, and the feeling of having all of your favorite people together in one place make celebrations here incredibly special. If you are planning a wedding along Little Traverse Bay, I would love to photograph your story.
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