Shauna and Conway - Clifford Lake Inn elopement photography

Shauna and Conway are super sweet people who had their original wedding plans fall through due to Covid, so when Lindsay from Something to Remember Event Planning reached out to me on Instagram about documenting their elopement in Stanton, I was pretty thrilled I had their new date available.
We customized a short and sweet package for them, and Lindsay absolutely killed everything on the planning side (Which is no small challenge this year).

This elopement has everything from a tear-jerking first look with dad to a scenic lakeside ceremony. All the best things.

Congratulations lovely people!

Stacey and Bill - Kalamazoo social distance wedding

Stacey and Bill were originally planning an April 25th 2020 wedding, so we all know what that means at this point…

They re-arranged the whole thing like rockstars.

Their full audience was replaced by a small group of friends and family, and the wedding day outfits now had masks included. While on our Zoom video call consultation (the most 2020 phrase ever I think) I asked if they wanted us to try and avoid shooting any of the specific Covid details, which they laughed off and said “Nope, this is how our wedding day is happening, document all of it!”.

I love their mindset, their kind hearts, and their beautiful day.

Congratulations Stacey and Bill, I hope your lives are always full of happiness and puppy adventures!

Nate and Olivia - Adventure couples photos in Michigan

This is an interesting time to be alive right now. People are staying inside, not having contact with one another, and doing their best to make sure the world is safe very soon. I appreciate all the efforts, and I’m right there with you.
Since wedding season has been pushed back a little, I still want to show off adorable people in love, so here’s the cutest camping shoot I never got a chance to show you!

Nate and Olivia are awesome people who were models for a commercial shoot last summer. When we were wrapping up, I saw the golden hour light getting just too perfect to not take advantage of and asked them if they wanted a few bonus portraits while we were there. Nate also being a photographer, completely agreed that we couldn’t waste all the pretty backlighting, and let’s be honest, these two just straight up need to be in front of the camera more.

Things I learned from this:
1. Seriously, Nate and Olivia genuinely will make your life better by being in it. Dang rays of sunshine is what they are.
2. I absolutely need to do more camping/adventure couples shoots this year! I love incorporating a narrative, and a personal story into the photos I take, and Michigan has a ton of natural beauty that simply must be documented.

More previously unreleased photo sessions coming to the blog through the next few weeks!

Chelsea and Nick - Intimate Kalamazoo wedding ceremony

When Chelsea reached out to me in July, I could tell immediately this wasn’t an average wedding inquiry. Her wedding celebration was scheduled for a date in September when I was sadly not available, so when I got her message asking about July availability, I knew there was a very good reason for it.

Her dad was very close to losing his battle with stage four cancer. He was slipping a little more each day, and they knew the likelihood of still having him with them in September was almost completely none. Rather than feel sorry for themselves or moving dates, Chelsea and Nick decided to have a private ceremony in her grandmother’s home so that her father could experience the joy of giving her away.
I was so honored to be asked to document such an important event for them, and at the time I had no idea just how much it was going to affect me.

There was an unmistakable energy in the house when I arrived, preparations just like any other wedding ceremony, Chelsea wore her dress, and Nick his suit. They went through the motions of their Irish knot ceremony, Nick completely unable to take his eyes off his future bride the entire time.
Chelsea had chosen the absolute perfect song for her first dance with her dad: “Daddy” by Abby Anderson. At this point, it wasn’t possible for her dad to stand comfortably for the entirety of the song, so Chelsea got down on her knees and held him close for their dance. The lyrics perfectly communicated all the words no one could find, and there was genuinely not a dry eye in the room, mine included.

This day was gorgeous, and perfect. It had so much joy, and also such a weight on the little time we have with those we love. Chelsea’s father passed away eleven days before their wedding celebration. This day truly made me reevaluate the importance of photos, and documenting memories. We often take for granted the opportunity to capture and hold a moment, always thinking there will be another one down the road, but the truth is you never really know.

Hold the ones you love.
Take lots of pictures.
Tell people you love them.

Brittnay and Brandon - Downtown Kalamazoo engagement photos

These two have some of the brightest smiles you’ll ever see in your life, and attitudes to match. They’re just the type of people who make you have a better day just by being a part of it. Brittnay requested an urban photo setting (which I am super about) so we adventured around downtown Kalamazoo and the surrounding area, stopping at Fido Motors Cafe for a warm up chai and some rare winter sunshine. My goal for any engagement session is to capture people being who they are together, and they made these photos a complete breeze.

I can’t wait for your 2020 wedding Brittnay and Brandon, you’re made for each other!

Favorites of 2018 - Kalamazoo wedding photographer

What a fantastic year 2018 has been!

Some really special people promised forever to one another. The more I got to know many of them, the more it felt like was photographing an old friend’s wedding, and I was celebrating their love right along with the guests. I’ve been so honored to have been trusted with some of the most important photos of these wonderful people lives, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Here are a few favorites from the 2018 season that have always made me smile when I come across them.
Thanks for being part of my year, I can’t wait to see what 2019 brings!