Haily and Sean - Downtown Kalamazoo engagement photos

No lie, every engagement session of the spring for me was shot in downtown Kalamazoo. I also have a super soft spot in my heart for the place. With the amount of couples sharing first date stories and fond memories among the parks, restaurants, and walking mall, it’s no surprise it’s at the top of the list for requested photo locations. I’ve never been a photographer to recycle backdrops however, so this means lots of jumping around to find new visuals, and things that can help tell the individual story of a couple.
It’s a fun challenge, and I’m here for it.

Haily and Sean met at WMU, but spent so much of their time in the heart of our city. The weather had been questionable every day leading up to their engagement photos, but the day of was absolutely gorgeous.

Congratulations cuties, the wedding next year will be totally worth every day of waiting!

Maddie and Connor - Kalamazoo greenhouse engagement photos

It’s a little bit ridiculous how natural Maddie and Connor are in front of the camera. Frequently I would look up from the camera to give them a prompt, and they would already be doing it. Basically, they’re a pair of photogenic rockstars, and I love it.
They wanted to make sure we included a piece of their WMU history in the photos, so we planned on swinging by the campus off Drake rd, and visit Asylum lake as it’s understandably one of their favorite spots in Kalamazoo, but this still left me with a warm up location for a February engagement session and I knew just the spot. VanderSalm’s Flowers is full of much needed color for winter photos, and they were super gracious to let us come in and take advantage of their greenhouse temperatures.

Thanks for being amazing you guys, I’m all sorts of excited for your Bell’s Brewery wedding this summer!

Amanda and Mark - Kalamazoo Sweetwater's Donut Mill engagement photos

When I first started talking engagement photo ideas with Amanda and Mark, she had one simple request: Her donut obsession needed to be represented. Obviously, Kalamazoo engagement photos meant Sweetwater’s was the clear option, and now I’m looking for any excuse to work delicious donuts into photo shoots!
These two are so unique and talented, and I have complete confidence their wedding is going to be a perfect reflection of who they are.

Congratulations you lovely people, I can’t wait to celebrate your marriage!

Natalie and Libby - Kalamazoo Asylum Lake engagement photos

When we first arrived for Natalie and Libby’s engagement session, it didn’t take long to feel like everyone had already been old friends. Asylum Lake preserve holds a lot of memories for these two, and so we hiked around to their favorite spots, probably spending no more than 30 seconds not laughing.
You two are so incredible to spend time with, and your life is only going to get more awesome with one another in it.
I can’t wait for your wedding next year!

Lisa and Randy - Kalamazoo engagement photos

“Do you want to bring Myrtle?” Lisa asked Randy as we sat discussing engagement photo ideas.
Much to my delight, Myrtle turned out to be Randy’s VW camper van that has been the source of many adventures over the 18 years he’s owned it. I love when a couple adds in personal details to their engagement session; It’s the little things that tell the story of who they are, and where they’re going.
Lisa and Randy are beautiful souls, with so many wonderful memories together, and so many more to come.
Congratulations on the engagement love birds! Your Arcadia Brewing Company wedding is going to be fantastic as all get out.

Eryn and Alexander - Kalamazoo engagement photos

Very little direction was needed during this session, these two were such a breeze to shoot with. Just as soon as I look up from my camera to give a suggestion, they would have already moved closer, or be laughing genuinely together. It’s so sweet to see people find their match and fit so well, and that’s exactly what Eryn and Alexander found in each other. We adventured around Eryn’s favorite view in Kalamazoo for their engagement photos, and found some serious gold in the autumn color department.
Congratulations you beautiful people!