Elton Anderson » weddings. lifestyle. fashion.

I’ll be honest, it’s actually kinda weird watching one of your oldest friends get married. Matt and I go way back — back to when recess and animal crackers were the highlight of our days. In high school, our bond even grew tighter as we ran throughout the state and the nation as track & field champions. When we went to separate colleges we still remained great friends, but Matt also began forming a friendship with a girl who would one day become his wife.

Matt and Malaika met on the campus of the University of Michigan and have been in each other’s corner ever since. From the moment I met Malaika I knew she was the only woman  who could give Matt both the challenge and support that he needed, plus this girl is as hilarious and beautiful as they come. When Matt told me he proposed I totally expected it. In fact, I was wondering what took him so long! 

Being their wedding photographer meant a lot more than just taking some beautiful pictures. For me, it meant capturing a love story that I’m sure will grow into a beautiful marriage. I couldn’t be happier for my lifelong friend. Especially since now he has a best friend he can call his wife. Congrats!

**I have to give a special shout-out to the BEST second-shooter in the world, Ms. Jessica Nabongo. She’s busy traveling the globe now but will be back in time to help me shoot a few more weddings this season**

If you’re reading this and are from Detroit then you can relate to the following 3 things: 1.) Better Made are the best chips in the world 2.) Coney Island tastes even better after 2 am and 3.) FM 98 WJLB was your favorite radio station when you were growing up. Although, my zip code has changed, every time I head back home my taste in chips, late night food and radio stations has pretty much stayed the same. For Mark Whitehead (aka DJ TradeMark), FM 98 is more than just his favorite station, its his full-time job. 

At only 22 years-old, DJ TradeMark is miles ahead of his peers. He’s turned a one-time internship into a budding career in radio and he even has his sights on hitting the big screen. Make sure you check out his radio show on Monday Nights. Goes great with a bag of Better Mades, trust me.

*TWEETERS: Make sure you follow him: http://twitter.com/TradeMarkOnAir 

Ja’Lisa and Jaye are the couple that everyone falls in love with… I know I did. Despite everything that went wrong during their engagement session in April (rain, snowstorms, etc.) this couple kept me laughing. And not just a little chuckle… I’m talking spitting out your drink laughter. That may just be the secret to their great relationship. Besides being deeply in love, they are also best friends and now husband and wife. I have no doubt that Ja’Lisa and Jaye are a match made in heaven and luckily, for everything that went wrong during their engagement session, everything went perfect for their wedding day. Ja’Lisa and Jaye thanks for the memories and the laughs and a special thanks for letting me capture your wedding.

Janell is ALWAYS on the go… it’s pretty much her job. As an entertainment reporter for both CNN and VH1 she juggles her life between red carpets, celebrity interviews and travel to and from the best events around the country. Sounds like a dream career if you ask me… but it’s a dream that Janell works very hard at.

I had a chance to spend a day in her life during my recent trip to NYC and it was fast paced to say the least. Of course, there were business meetings, urgent phone calls and the blackberry that never left her side but despite all the hustle and bustle she never missed the opportunity to help out someone else. She has invested so much of herself in helping others (myself included) and still looks amazingly beautiful while doing it. I have to thank Janell for letting me tell a piece of her story and also helping me write mine.

Click here for the full story: http://www.eltonandersonblog.com/slidingstories/janell/

** Extra special thanks to Apuje Kalu for his help as stylist/creative director for this shoot. More of him to come!