Hey, it's Makayla. I'm a Duluth, MN and Saint Paul, MN based wedding photojournalist.

I can see the magic in everything.

In my decade of photographing weddings, I've always come back to this: the people and the relationships are the real story. And that story is best told by letting it tell itself.

This blog is full of the stories I've seen, the things I've learned along the way, and my best advice for creating a marriage celebration driven by being present and true to you.

Pour a coffee, a matcha, a tea. Stay awhile. Linger.

M

It's so great
to meet you.

Welcome to the stories.

WHO IS THE AUTUMN DOG STUDIO?

THOUGHT-PROVOKING CONVERSATION STARTERS

BELL STREET TAVERN WEDDING | MADELINE ISLAND WEDDING | CANDID WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER Lane and David were made for candid images. When talking about what they wanted from their day, it all came down to just living it. They wanted three posed portraits – that’s it. Three. And beyond that, the entire premise was to just […]

Marriage Stories

July 23, 2022

Bell Street Tavern Wedding | Madeline Island, WI | Lane + David

Bell Street Tavern wedding

MADELINE ISLAND WEDDING | INTIMATE CABIN WEDDING | Mel and Jed knew they wanted something that would show off their beautiful property on Madeline Island. They were so excited to host their ceremony right on their 200 feet of beach on Lake Superior, under an arch made of driftwood found on that very beach. They […]

Marriage Stories

September 25, 2021

Intimate Island Cabin Wedding | Madeline Island, WI | Mel + Jed

madeline island wedding

Looking at outdoor elopement options? Looking for beautiful fall colors? See this Big Bay State Park Elopement on Madeline Island WI.

Marriage Stories

November 21, 2020

Big Bay State Park Elopement | Madeline Island, WI | Trisha + Frank

big bay state park elopement

See the simple elopement that Ashley and Jonathan created, filled with family and meaningful details. Madeline Island, WI, elopement.

Marriage Stories

September 19, 2020

Madeline Island Elopement | Madeline Island, WI | Ashley + Jonathan

Madeline Island Elopement

RAINY MADELINE ISLAND ELOPEMENT | BAYFIELD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER “It looks like we’re forecast for rain, so the Big Bay Town Park shelter is our back-up plan”. A change in plan always starts simple. Rain was most certainly in the forecast this day: as I rode the ferry across the bay, I was pummeled by a […]

Marriage Stories

August 15, 2020

Rainy Elopement | Madeline Island, WI | Sara + Nick

rainy elopement madeline island

LIGHTKEEPER’S LODGE WEDDING MADELINE ISLAND, LA POINTE WI, BAYFIELD WI WEDDING Rachael and Ryan have infectious energy. They wanted to plan their marriage party in a way that was small, and intimate, but also full of life and party. And they definitely did that. Everybody there was SO important to them, and they prioritized getting […]

Marriage Stories

December 7, 2019

Lightkeeper’s Lodge Wedding | Madeline Island, WI | Rachael + Ryan

lightkeeper's lodge wedding