Brittnay and Brandon - Michigan rose garden elopement

Brittnay and Brandon have been champions of the year 2020. Their wedding, which was first scheduled for late March, was then downsized to an April elopement, and then rescheduled for later in the year yet again, only to be told that wasn’t possible either.
No matter what life has thrown at them over the past few months, they have been rocks for each other, and completely unwavering in the goal that all they want is to spend the rest of their lives with one another.

When they told me they were finally making it happen, I was completely overjoyed to still be there to document their love!
They gathered close family and friends for a stunning (and safe) elopement ceremony in the middle of a Lansing, MI rose garden, and it was well deserved.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Kyles. The party will be so worth the wait!

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Hannah and Chad - Saugatuck Dunes engagement photos

“Yeah, I get to look at this every day… there’s a chance I take that for granted” Chad said as I questioned the gorgeousness of our first location.
We met at Chad’s family farm for our first location to incorporate such a big part of their lives into their engagement photos, and I was completely blown away at the view. Rolling hills for miles, and a sky threatening rain that never touched us, but giving so much depth in the colors.
This was also the first time a dog was accidentally featured in engagement photos, as Rosco invited himself along, and wouldn’t leave (Truly, the best thing that could have happened). Chad’s one request is that we featured his beloved tractors in a portrait or two, so naturally we got a little extra with that concept.

Location two was quite a drive and a hike to Saugatuck Dunes State Park, and it was so worth fighting through the mosquitos as we arrived at the beach for the most perfect lighting. Beach engagement photos are always a win in my book, but the biggest aspect that can give them variety is the people. Hannah and Chad are so close to each other, and that was unmistakable. They laugh and joke together, they are comfortable and loving together, and they can’t wait to start their new lives together.

Congratulations you lovely people, next stop: wedding day!

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!

Britt and Zach - Warren Dunes engagement photos

Britt and Zach are easily some of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. They’re both driven and ambitious and spend so much of their time looking out for each other and the people around them.

When we were finally able to get an engagement session on the calendar (Thanks 2020), it was the perfect sunny beach day for a mini road trip from Kalamazoo to Warren Dunes. This spot has always had a million different locations to photograph in, and Britt and Zach were super down to adventure around with us.

Congrats you two! Your September wedding is going to be the stuff dreams are made of (and I’m not just saying that because the wedding meal is tacos).

Amanda and Eric - Grand Rapids engagement photos

When I first met Amanda at Bell’s Brewery (a great sign) to talk wedding photography details, I could already tell that she and Eric were going to be beautiful people to spend time with.
She told me all about their shared musical interests (Griz is their favorite artist), their dog who they wanted included in engagement photos named Griz (No seriously, they love this artist), and how they found each other and fell in love.
We started the engagement session at Provin Trails just outside of downtown, which is a hidden gem and the perfect place for the goodest boy Griz to get an adventure in before heading into the heart of Grand Rapids.
The year 2020 has not been kind to concert goers this year, so to incorporate their love of the music culture, we went to their favorite Griz mural (The artist, not the dog for those who are keeping track at home) and even swapped outfits to their favorite concert wear to complete the engagement session.

It was the best time and an amazing day. I can’t wait for the wedding you two! Keep showing love and spreading love.

Allison and Josh - Holland Michigan intimate wedding

Allison and Josh are definitely a 2020 superhero couple. As the year progressed, and it became obvious that their original wedding day may have some alterations, they never once doubted if they still wanted to be married asap. Regardless of what the celebration looked like, they were going to make this happen on the day they had planned.
Allison’s family remembered plenty of times as the wedding day got closer that they would receive a phone call with her on the other end saying “Okay, new plan!”, and I have to say genuinely that the new plan was absolutely perfect.
They invited immediate family and closest friends, kept everything in the open air as much as possible, and had all the time in the world to document their wedding day portraits in all of their favorite spots around the property. The cutest airbnb ever served as the ideal intimate celebration spot, and you felt like you had to be deep in nature with the amount of trees and peaceful solitude the location provided.
No matter how many adjustments to their expectations, Josh and Allison are now married people, and I can’t wait to see them all again for the big party a little bit down the road.

Congratulations lovely people!

Abigail and Jonathan - Grand Haven engagement photos

For as long as I’ve known these two, they’ve found their way in front of my camera. Whether they were models for a commercial shoot or just being their fabulous selves for a couples session, they are consistently the people who make your day better just by getting to spend time with them. When Covid turned our April engagement session into a June date, they took it completely in stride, and even still wore the original outfit choices, regardless of the temperature! (Take that Corona)
Grand Haven has meant a lot to Jonathan growing up, and he passed his fond memories along to Abigail as they grew closer, so it was a natural choice for their engagement photo location. Theirs was the first engagement session since quarantine, and the absolute perfect day. Even while practicing distance they were still the rays of sunshine they have always been.

Congratulations you two, I’ve been looking forward to your wedding all year, and it’s going to be so worth the wait!

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.

Rachel and Jake - Downtown Grand Rapids engagement photos

When I first met Rachel and Jake, I could tell they were pretty perfect for one another. Their first date at Brewery Vivant led to many more, and now they can’t see a life without one another.

One of the best parts of photographing in Grand Rapids is the sheer amount of variety you get between locations. We started at Riverside park to incorporate some of Michigan’s natural winter beauty, and then obviously had to stop in for a brew and warm up at Brewery Vivant before finishing up downtown. Not only is this place a stunning old church that was repurposed into a thriving pub for beer enthusiasts of all types, but the staff went out of their way to make this engagement session an amazing experience for Rachel and Jake.
They gave us free rein of the pub and even led us on a mini tour of the brewery with the manager. I for one, was in heaven.

These stunners were nothing but smiles and laughter despite the frigid cold, and that is my favorite type of person.
Congratulations Rachel and Jake! Your Barn at Monterey Valley wedding is going to be amazing!

Michelle and Drew - Traverse City winery tour engagement photos

As long as I’ve known Michelle and Drew, they’ve been one of the most effortlessly cool couples. Always down to explore, show their family and friends a good time, and find new passions together.
For us as photographers,a huge goal whenever we shoot an engagement session is to incorporate special details or locations that help tell a couple’s story. When they talked about Traverse City and the Suttons Bay area and all the memories they hold, it was such an obvious choice for the engagement session. I am also a huge fan of Northern Michigan, and will look for literally any excuse to venture up that way. These two hold wine memberships at more Michigan wineries than I think most people do in a lifetime, so we started with two of their favorites (Blustone Vineyards and Black Star Farms) before finishing up in the winter igloos of Hop Lot Brewing Company.

Will shoot Traverse City engagement photos any day.

Congratulations Drew and Michelle, your 2020 wedding will be the party everyone talks about and you deserve all the happiness you bring each other!

Allison and Josh - Kalamazoo engagement photos

I’ve grown really find of winter engagement sessions over the last few years.
There’s a certain romance to the snowy landscape around Kalamazoo, and it’s hard to beat that soft light all day long. In addition, you’re forced to think a little bit harder about warmup locations which adds to the challenge and creativity, with the added bonus that snow-loving couples tend to not let anything phase them. It’s a win all around!

Allison and Josh are sweet, authentic and have the warmest smiles around. Turns out they had been so close to knowing each other from one connection or another all their lives, but when the time was right and they finally met, it was definitely meant to be. They already had fantastic ideas for where they wanted to shoot their engagement photos, and as always, Kalamazoo delivers.

Congratulations Allison and Josh, I’m so stoked for your wedding this year!

Gillian and Stephen - Dayton Ohio wedding photos

There’s so much that was special about Gillian and Stephen’s wedding that I’m not even sure where to start.

First of all, Gillian is mad talented, and so many of their wedding details was hand made by her. I’m not just talking centerpieces here, she made her silk gown (With pockets!), hand knit her veil, and even baked their wedding cake from scratch from her grandmother’s recipe.

Second, these two are so in love and perfect for each other, it was truly moving. They didn’t bother with a formal first look as Stephen was such a help through the dress making process that he had already seen it, but was still blown away by her. We did all of their portraits before the ceremony in the gorgeously low November afternoon sun, and I could’ve easily shot with them for hours.
Their wedding parties were also the sweetest. Nick, the best creative partner and second shooter around, made a cameo in the groomsman portraits at the demand of everyone else in them, and it’s still one of my favorite group shots ever.
The ceremony and reception were nothing but friends and family having an amazing time together and complete laughter from everyone there, and the dance floor constantly showed the swing dancing portion of Stephen and Gillian’s history.
Now, one of my favorite moments.
Gillian and Stephen were so thorough in making sure all their guests were taken care of and had champagne for the toast, that they forgot their own. Thankfully, someone had gifted them a bottle of whiskey, and so they toasted with full champagne flutes of the good stuff.
The whole day was an amazing time, and the best way to finish off the 2019 season. I will 100% be a destination wedding photographer any day.

I adore you sweet people, congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Bloomingdale!

Melanie and Mike - Downtown Kalamazoo wedding photos

I’ve known Mike for years, and I can say with certainty that there is not a better person in this world for him than Melanie.
She’s a real-life Disney princess, and brightens up every room she walks into. Mike is confident and fiercely loyal to the people he holds dear. Through the months leading up to the wedding, every time I received a message from Mel about a new detail or photo request, I grew even more excited to be there documenting their day.
The ceremony took place at the First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo (excuse me, stained glass like this should be illegal) and the look on Mike’s face when he saw his bride was making it hard for anyone to not lose it.
They took the cutest trolley to The Fountains banquet center to start the party to end all parties. Their wedding included the most unique garter toss of all time, and I dare anyone to top a surprise lightsaber fight.

Melanie and Mike, you are incredible people, and I hope your future together is as magical as every Disneyworld vacation you will take.
Congratulations!

Jayna and Brandon - Bay Pointe Inn wedding photos

Jayna and Brandon’s wedding was a super special day, and came exactly when I needed it to.
Not only is Jayna a gorgeous bride, but she's an incredible human.
Theirs was the first wedding we had in November, which means all the craziness of October portrait sessions and edits was coming to a close, and the amount of sleep I was averaging was a whole lot of not much. Jayna was like hitting a creativity reset button.
From the first moment we arrived, she was asking what we need, and telling us how much she trusted us to do what we need to make the photos amazing. She was telling all her friends and family about how she chose me, and how passionate I am about my work. She made me so excited to shoot her wedding, and get incredible photos for them, and I genuinely fell in love with the work all over again because of her.

The weather on their wedding day was pretty similar to their engagement session (The parking garage rain photos that are still to this day some of my favorites) so I knew this would be the right group of people to embrace it, and not shy away from a little rain, hail, snow, and wind. Literally all of those within just a few hours, and not a single complaint out of any of the wedding party, once again resulting in some of my favorite photos.

A few things I learned that day:
1. Brandon and Jayna are not afraid of showing emotion, and I am so about it.
2. Always check to see how many Fireball shots are being taken at a reception before you offer to pay for it (Thankful to learn this one second hand haha).
3. A military wedding isn’t a military wedding until there is a pushup competition.

Mr and Mrs Miller, you two are so good for each other. You bring so much joy and encouragement to those around you, and I wish you nothing but years of happiness!

Abby and Shane - Kalamazoo Loft 310 wedding photos

There is a lot that was special about Abby and Shane’s wedding.
They initially planned the ceremony to take place at the Skydeck above their reception venue in downtown Kalamazoo, but when the weather had other plans, the Entertainment District came through with a stunning plan B: What I’m pretty sure is THE most beautiful minimalist chapel of all time. These two took it all in stride, and were genuinely just happy to be marrying each other.
Additionally, Abby is the queen of rentals, and I mean that in the best way possible. She had on a stunning Rent the Runway dress for their engagement photos, and all the flowers at the wedding were created by Events by I Candy, and loaned out for the occasion. I seriously had no idea they weren’t real until I picked them up, I am still kind of floored at how perfect they were!
Also.
I am not even ashamed to say that I cried on their wedding day, and here’s why.
Abby had helped to care for Holly, an incredibly sweet girl with downs syndrome, and became very close to her family. She knew Holly may never get a wedding day of her own to cherish, so she decided to share her day with Holly and her father so that they could walk down the aisle and have their first dance together. The amount of love and selflessness that Abby and Shane have for other people is moving in so many ways, and I hope to make even a fraction of the difference that they make in the lives of those around them.

Abby and Shane, it was an honor to get to know you and your story. I’m so excited for all the memories you’ll create together through the years, congratulations again!

Kristin and Will - Downtown Kalamazoo wedding photos

I’m going to be perfectly clear and just start out by saying Kristin and Will are badasses.
They met in the military and are no strangers to hard work and commitment. Their hobbies, interests, and goals all compliment each other so well, and the amount of fun I had on their unseasonably cold engagement session day told me the wedding was going to be incredible.
The ceremony took place at St. Lukes in downtown Kalamazoo, and we had a stunning October day for two people to promise their lives to each other.
Kristin is one of the few people who I truly think rivals my obsession with dogs, so their puppers obviously had to make an appearance in the wedding photos post-ceremony (dressed to the nines in appropriate wedding fashion). We then took a break from the wedding party to walk around downtown and adventure over to the reception venue.
I’ll be perfectly clear about something else real quick: there is nothing I don’t love about Loft 310. Their staff is lovely, the amount of white everywhere makes lighting so flattering, and their dance setup truly reflects the party that was Mr. and Mrs. James. The dancing started and didn’t stop, and I was in heaven for all of it.

Congratulations Kristin and Will, you two are made for each other!

Rachel and Dustin - Big Rapids farm wedding photos

Rachel and Dustin are down-to-earth people with huge hearts. She contacted me about being their wedding photographer before they were even engaged (He asked not long afterwards, and it was an easy yes from her) and I was beyond honored to get to know them so much through this process!
It didn’t take long to see that they are such a good fit for each other. They both have great senses of humor, and never take themselves too seriously. They were good friends that became the best of friends, and everyone who knows them can see it was meant to be.

The wedding took place on the property of some of their dear friends, and it was completely stunning any direction you look. I had the opportunity to see the farm at their engagement session, and I had been looking forward to their day even more so ever since!
Their wedding included everything from an emotional first look with Rachel’s dad, a hayride through their hometown, and a cake cutting with Dustin’s pocket knife (you do what you have to do!). Dustin’s vintage truck made it into some of our last portraits of the night, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Congratulations you beautiful people, thanks so much for letting me be a part of it all!

Leah and Tommy - Wayland country engagement photos

Leah and Tommy’s story is a pretty sweet one.
Tommy bought his grandparent’s farm and is now fixing it up and making it their own. They wanted to make sure to include personal touches all through the engagement photos, so we wandered around the property, fed cows, and pet cats, then adventured a little further and ended up at the hunting cabin his dad had built on the property.
The entire time, I don’t think Tommy stopped smiling once. He has such a joy for life that you can’t help but smile right along with him! Leah is equally wonderful, and sweet, and without a doubt has Tommy’s whole heart.
Congratulations you two, I can’t wait for your Monterey Valley wedding next year!

Natalie and Libby - Michigan backyard wedding photos

I don’t even know where to start with Natalie and Libby.
On our engagement adventure last year, their humor and taste went so well with my own, that we just naturally kept in touch through the planning process. They have shown me nothing but genuine care and friendship, and that’s how they affect those around them.

Their wedding day was one of my favorites. I adore shooting small, intimate weddings and it’s even more of a bonus when the location means so much to the couple. The ceremony took place on the property belonging to Natalie’s dad, where she grew up and made memories. They did a first look (there were definitely tears) and left such a good amount of time for portraits that I fell in love with too many not to edit an actual ton.

Natalie and Libby, I hope you have an amazing life and many more cats together! You deserve all the best, and I was so thrilled to be part of your day.