Jaci and Nick - Kalamazoo Engagement Photos at Home

Okay, this one is special for me for a few reasons.
Jaci and Nick have been together since high school, and have seen, accepted, and loved all of the different versions of each other that have come since they first met.
In addition, they are actual family to me through a series of relationships and marriages, and there’s certainly a connection you get from sharing a cabin away from phone service on a vacation that doesn’t simply go away.

They used winter as the perfect excuse to document the first home they own together, and wove pieces of their story throughout the shoot. Their fur babies, playing games together, and even the classic date night at home (which is never complete without a bottle of wine, and vinyl to dance to).

Alongside the digital photos, I shot some Kodak Gold film, which leans into the nostalgic and sentimental vibes, and I was pretty stoked with how they turned out.

Congrats Jaci and Nick, I can’t wait for even more joy, and even more film on your wedding day!

Dani and Zach - Grand Rapids engagement photos

March in Michigan means never really knowing which season we’re going to experience on any given day. As Dani and Zach’s engagement session date approached, a flash blizzard decided we would be working with winter, and they both rose to the challenge.
Location one looks like it could have been a nature preserve, but it’s actually the land where their home together will be built. It’s so cool to me that they’ll be able to look back at their engagement photos and see how different the property is through the years, and that’s a huge reason why I love including personal aspects into the portraits.

Location two was a bonus for me as someone who lives off coffee as my number one source of fuel. We ventured to Lantern Coffee in downtown Grand Rapids for a latte break from the cold, and then wrapped up at my favorite GR parking garage for some golden hour magic.

Spring is almost here, but I didn’t at all mind one final winter session. Congratulations you two!

Ashley and Cole - Kalamazoo engagement photos

As I’m getting ready to finally get back out there shooting intimate wedding ceremonies and engagement sessions (safely, and with nice long lenses) I’m still loving going back through previous work, so here’s another un-posted session in the meantime!
You would not believe the amount of times I’ve heard that someone doesn’t enjoy having their photo taken, but then they show up and absolutely nail it.
That was definitely the case with Cole. Ashley warned me at our first meeting that he hated photos so much that we could probably only talk him into a 30 minute mini-engagement session. She did, and it turned out that’s all they needed.
I had the best time walking through the woods of Al Sabo with them in the warm fall morning light, talking about their plans and their experiences. Ashley was glowing the whole time, and Cole just kept looking at her like she was the only thing in his world.

Their wedding plans may have shifted a little due to the COVID-19 situation, but their love is going to be just as strong when the wedding day arrives.

Congratulations you two!