Derek Cookson Photography – Royal Oak, MI Wedding and Portrait Photographer bio picture

  • WELCOME!

    My philosophy of "Life, Laughter, and Love" was inspired by my wife when she had it engraved in my wedding ring, always there to remind me what's important. It's also what guides me to capture what I do, when I have a camera in my hand.

    Friends will ask me if I consider it work, but I ask, how can it be? When I am blessed to be able to share such wonderful moments in peoples lives, to be shared forever, I can't call it work, but I can tell you it's the best job in the world. And I would love to share it with you!

    -Derek

Diane is probably my most excitable bride I’ve ever shot. She has called me every week since her wedding, not to bug me or harass me, but because (I can tell in her voice) she is so excited to see the photos of the day she married the love of her life, Jim.

Jim I had never met before the wedding, so he was, to me, a little intimidating at first…in stature, in profession (lawyer), and in appearance. But I can tell you, the moment I saw the way he looked at Diane, and couldn’ take his eyes off her, I could tell the REAL person was much different. He is very loving, very full of life, and such a warm person; I knew we would get along when I found out his favourite band is ACDC. (The wedding party walked into the reception to THUNDERSTUCK!)

The entire day was spent at Meadowbrook Hall, in Rochester, MI,  a place I have always wanted to shoot a wedding at…and let me tell you, I was NOT let down. I couldn’t speak enough how beautiful it is there, and how well the staff treated everyone. And even though it was HOT, being out in the garden tents had such a nice breeze, you would never have known you were anywhere but paradise.
Best of luck to these two newlywed lovebirds, and don’t forget to tag your friends in the photos on the facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/derekcooksonphotography ! (Hint, if you look along the left side of this page, you’ll see our little sidebar to take you RIGHT to the facebook page! )

Filed in: Lil' Kids | Smiles | Weddings
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April and Scott got married…and along the way, a party happened! It’s such an extra treat to get to spend the wedding day with people you consider friends. There was so much of a “feel good” vibe to everything that day, April could simply NOT stop smiling at the thought of marrying Scott!

We started off at the Somerset Inn, in Troy MI. I had never been there before, but wow, it was a beautiful place to shoot! I will have to remember to go back there sometime, there’s some great opportunties for a cool backdrop! After the ceremony, we went to Firefighter’s Park, in Troy again, for some funtastic photos, avoiding the disc-golfers the best we could! (we’ve got a wedding here guys, can you hold off playing for ONE moment???). The dark skies threatened our time there, but only ended up making the photos that much more interesting!

Lastly, we ended up at the San Marino Club, which is a venue I’ve shot at before. Even though our party was smaller than the debutante’s ball that was being held that night as well, I am SURE ours was the more fun party to be at!

Congratulations to the newlyweds, April and Scott, it really couldn’t happen to two nicer people! Best of luck you two!

Don’t forget to check the photos out on the facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/derekcooksonphotography so you can tag your friends in them!

Filed in: Weddings
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Jen and Dan are a FANTASTIC twosome, as I am sure you will see in the way they seem to just BELONG together in these photos. Such a fun time was had in Windsor, and some of the most loving family and friends a bride and groom could ask for. We travelled to the Riverfront, a rooftop parking garage, and ended up at the lovely Fogolar Furlan Club, just to name a few of the places we took photos! A little rain didn’t even stop us either!
Spending the evening capturing their images, I felt welcomed like I was family, and the images and emotions reflect that! Enjoy the photos, but I am SURE it won’t compare to the energy that was there that night! Congratulations to both of you Jen and Dan!
Be SURE to check the facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/derekcooksonphotography to tag your friends!
Filed in: Weddings
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The Shyduke family is like every other family – Unique and all their own! We had some fun along the riverfront in Windsor Ontario (At the Coventry Gardens and Peace Fountain!) doing their family session, and here you can sneak a peek! Can you guess who the REAL star of the show is? I’ll give you a hint, he’s the only one under 2 feet tall!

Filed in: Cute Babies | Family | Lil' Kids | Smiles
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Cynthia and Gary are a little unique…and they wouldn’t have it any other way!

They have a unique story of “Right People, Wrong Time” that, on July 24th 2010, became “Right People, Right Time”, and I was lucky enough to share the night with them. Married for the second time to each other, there was such a nice feeling of “FINALLY!” from all their loved ones. Gorgeous weather, great friends, and a golden sunset combined to make it an evening at the races that will not soon be forgotten. Pinnacle Race Course, in New Boston, Michigan, right behind the metro airport, is such a beautiful place to get married…I love a location that is personal to the couple, and since they race horses there, it couldn’t get more personal!

See the photos and tag your friends over on the facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/derekcooksonphotography !

Reverend Earl, one of the coolest officiants I’ve had the pleasure of working with! If you need someone to perform your wedding ceremony, check him out at http://weddingministers.synthasite.com/

Filed in: Weddings
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