I had to do a quick post of these images of Jeff & Jana.  I’ve been borderline hyper for their wedding since their FABULOUS engagement session last fall.  They’re awesome to work with, up for anything I suggest and totally trusted me.   Their wedding was in Rockford and their reception was at The BOB in Grand Rapids which is such a great place, it’s fun, spacious and has a ton of character and don’t even get me started on the food…LOVE it!

The wedding was fun, fun wedding party and who doesn’t love a bride with a bunch of sisters? They had these card board cut outs of themselves as children which were so adorable I’ve decided I need to get some myself.  All that being said, my very favorite thing was their “favor” or should I say lack of a “favor”.  Jeff & Jana decided to forgo the “favors” and instead made a donation to the “Be The Match” program for the National Bone Marrow Program.  What a better way to start out your new life than to extend the gift of life to someone else.  Party favors make the table pretty but really only last one night. They’re often tossed out or not even taken.  Who knows what will come of this gesture, what kind of awareness brought on, who will be prompted to register and be matched and life can be saved.

Weddings are hectic, plain and simple.  I know that a lot of photographers offer “the day after” sessions and I’ve always had this sort of “well, it wasn’t REALLY the wedding day so why would anyone be interested in that ” attitude.  After spending 3 hours with Joe & Emily (driving & shooting) it sort of brought a whole new awareness of the fact that so many couples are missing out on cool photo opportunities of just the two of them. I wish I could demand that every couple allow me 2 hours of time on every wedding day, but I’m realistic and know that the wedding day has enough demands as it is.  So here is where I am…Did you miss out on photo opportunities on your wedding day? Did you get married in a different season or did the weather not cooperate?  Were you not satisfied with your wedding images or are you just in the market for some new updated photos of just the two of you??  Connect with me and let’s document that fact that you two have still got it and intend to keep it….love that lasts.

Which reminds me…Do you think Steve will do this with me?  Will my wedding gown fit?  Will anyone notice if I cut off the super puffy should sleeve things off of my wedding gown?

I know that most kids are so busy during the summer with jobs, camps, mission trips etc. and I encourage you to take a look at your schedule and figure out when you’re available and get it scheduled sooner than later to avoid the dreaded “BTS” rush.

Senior sessions are an adventure!  I love trekking around Grand Rapids or any location trying to find anything that’s unique, interesting and different from what everyone else is doing.  The main focus of my photos is always going to be YOU! If you have something special in mind let me know, otherwise call or email me and we’ll chat about your options.  ALSO, if you’re interested in splitting the session with a friend(s) check out my website for the sweet deal I offer every year. Everybody is suddenly getting in on it!

Here are some photos of Brynn, she’ll be a senior at Rockford High School (Go Rams!).  She was sweet to work with, she’s totally into photography and wasn’t wild about being on the other side of the camera, but she did great and I enjoyed hanging out with her as much as anything during our fun night on the town.

Last weekend I did this engagement session with Erin & Gideon downtown Grand Rapids and we had a blast.  She had emailed me early last week that she had a pair of “spicy red shoes” that she was wearing which just increased my excitement for the session.  I nervously watched the forecast (don’t ask me why because we all know it’s rarely right) and what was supposed to be steamy and stormy turned out to be breezy and beautiful.  Another gorgeous day in Michigan!

I think the photos of the two of them are beautiful.  They were so sweet together, Gideon seemed sort of shy for the camera but he warmed up . He was very kind and carried my camera bag as we all walked and talked during the session.  I never underestimate the importance of this time I get to spend with couples, just to get a little glimpse of them.   I love finding out and knowing how they met, what they do, where they’ll honeymoon.  My favorite little thing about this wedding is that there is so much more anticipation that most.  Erin’s sister Liz (matron of honor) is expecting a baby right around the time of the wedding. This is a detail that might make some brides flinch but not Erin.  Erin is thrilled to be marrying the love of her life and is equally ecstatic for the arrival of  a baby girl she hopes will arrive in time to wear a sweet little dress that is being made especially  just for her.  How sweet is that?

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE Mondays?  Today is the first day of summer vacation and my children are being unusually cooperative.  I don’t think they’ve reset their summer vacation switches which works for me because it’s been a dig out day in my office.  I’m thankful for the clouds out my window because if the sun was calling my name I would have to put the shovel down and run for the sun.  The summer season is really winding up with tons of  sessions on my schedule, many families that I work with year after year and a few new faces coming my way.  My variety of spots seem to be a little wider than normal which is nice to mix it up a little but I do have my favorite, tried and true, spots.    I took this family downtown Rockford which is really becoming the hot-spot for a lot of photographers and it’s no wonder because the area is so lush and beautiful right now and there are endless spots to work and create beautiful photographs.  Take all of that and add in a cute family and a little girls in a cute colorful outfits and suddenly we’re creating something beautiful and fun that you’ll love forever.

How can you visit Rockford and not get ice cream? I frequent both Rocky’s and Custard by the Dam since I have fav’s at both but I am always amazed that children will always select Supeman or Rainbow sherbet, it must be some unspoken rule among children that ice cream is only worthy if it’s wonderfully colored.  Do you ever hear a young child order plain chocolate ?  Why don’t children willingly sample brown food? At what age do we truly discover the magnificence of chocolate?….and how come they never offer adults those little candy eyes for their ice cream? So many questions that I’m pondering today….which gives me an idea. The wheels just never stop spinning.   Happy Monday!

My niece Ava is 5 years old, funny, sweet and just did the most thoughtful thing.  She recently saw a show highlighting Locks of Love ,an organization that makes wigs out of real, donated hair, for children/teens who have lost their hair, and Ava boldly realized that she need to donate her hair.  Her hair went clear to her waste!  When I saw her with this cute little bob, a result of of her selflessness, I was so glad that I just happened to have my camera in the car.   Women don’t easily part with their hair but Ava put someone else’s needs and comfort ahead of her own.  Way to go girl, you’re more beautiful than ever, I love you and I’m so proud of you for the blessing that you most certainly are.

P.S.  My Jenna and my nephew Josiah couldn’t wait for an opportunity to have a photo with Ava, and how could I not put in a photo of Connor and Josiah at the hoop?  :)

I recently heard Beth Moore speak and she described herself as someone who gets “drunk on babies”.  It was such a light bulb moment for me because that is EXACTLY how I would describe myself.  I LOVE infants!!!   Between Steve’s family and mine we have had a “baby” for 16 years non-stop.  We have a ton of nieces and nephews and I just got my baby “fix” last weekend (and again on Tuesday) with my littlest nephew Dawson.  He’s so sweet I just can’t stand it!  I’m a baby hog in our family and I seriously keep track of when it’s my turn to hold the baby again.  With all of that I have just one more reason to be thankful for my job….being around newborns is just awesome.  I love babies, love to look at babies, love to cuddle them and pose them.  It’s intoxicating to me!

Meet Macy!  Isn’t she the most darling little thing you’ve ever seen? I seriously could not stop staring at this child, she is so gorgeous!   If I had to have a “best” friend in my photography business it would, hands down, be Macy’s big sister Ella.  She’s so cute, loves to have her picture taken and does so without complaint.  She’s amazing and I could brag about her all day.  Seeing her with her new sister was so sweet.  Ella had no qualms about holding Macy, shifting her around, or sharing her favorite blanket with her.   I didn’t even have to ask Ella to smile when she looked at Macy. Once Ella and Macy were positioned the way I wanted them Ella looked down at and lit up at the sight of Macy’s face. It was so sweet.  She naturally pulled her up and kissed her. As you can see from the pictures, Ella loves her baby sister.  Thanks Mike and Jessica for entrusting me with the special moments in your life.  It seems like just yesterday I followed you down the aisle with my camera.