Derek Cookson Photography

Belle Isle is for lovers…and a perfect place for weddings in the summer! Congratulations to Kathy and Tom from this past weekend, it was a beautiful day! One of my personal fav photos as well with 4 sisters - there is no other love quite like it!

Today I get the honor of once again photographing Governor Whitmer in the Motor City Pride parade in Detroit. It’s such a humbling experience walking in the parade - the joy and exuberance of everyone down there celebrating love and the freedom to be themselves, alongside elected officials who genuinely fight for those protections. As a fierce ally it’s not lost on me the importance to be able to capture the positives whenever we can, despite the looming threat of an administration in the White House that actively fights to suppress and even erase the rights and existence of many in the LGBTQ community.
The fight will never stop, but celebrating is important as well - for every step of hate you witness, take 100 steps in love to forge ahead.
Every step I take today will be out of love to honor my friends and family in the LGBTQ community. Will I see you there? 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️♥️
📸 from last year:

When you are marrying your best friend, you’d be this excited too. Last night was so full of love and happiness, it was infectious! Congratulations to Monica and Collin!

Wanted to share one of my favorite photos from the beautiful wedding of Mark and Thommy - I consider it a privilege to have been part of the outpouring of love on their wedding day! Congratulations to you both!

Rainy days like today make rainy nights even more beautiful…

One more from the beautiful, fun, and wet (for part of the day) wedding of Abbie and Andy! Congratulations to them!

Sometimes you see the rain, and sometime you see the beauty in the rain.

This weekend was filled with so much love, the room could barely contain it. Today’s beautiful wedding between Kelsey and Nate was with a family I’ve known for over 8 years now, and they keep getting better with every celebration. Congratulations to the happy couple!

It was a beautiful day to walk around the Dequindre cut in Detroit and celebrate Sarah and Martin! Congratulations to them on this absolutely wonderful day!

Had to add a few more from the beautiful day with Megan and Parker! I grew up across the street from Megan, watching her grow into one amazing woman and couldn’t be happier for her - or her entire family - for the love and happiness I felt around this day!

We didn’t get the sunset we wanted on this glorious day…so instead we made magic. Congratulations to Megan and Parker!