Annika - Senior portraits

I’ve had the pleasure of shooting Annika several times over the past few years, and it’s an absolute pleasure every time.
This time, it’s because this stunner is graduating! It may not be the senior year she was expecting, but she’s taken everything 2020 has thrown at her and is still smiling.
Annika wanted a mix of urban and natural photos, so we started in downtown Kalamazoo and traced a great walking path of photo locations until we were completely rained out and had to postpone the other half of the portraits for another day.
I’m petty thrilled we did, because the second day was nothing but golden sun and good vibes! I took them over to Bow in the Clouds preserve just a short hop away from downtown, but feels like an entirely different planet.

Thanks for being awesome Annika, keep on shining!

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!

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!

Alishia and Zac - Al Sabo family photos

When Alishia contacted me saying she wanted to include the whole family in their baby announcement photos, I was already excited. Talking over ideas, it became clear that her main priority was to shoot during golden hour (YESSS). The lighting was nothing short of magic, and they were all unbelievably sweet. 
Congratulations to all three of you on the new addition to the family!

Zach and Brittany - In home lifestyle session

These two are genuinely wonderful people. Their love for each other is obvious as soon as you meet them. Zach contacted me back in March about wanting to give Brittany a very special birthday present in May. They recently bought their first home together, and he wanted to feature this in a couple's photo session as a gift to her. I was obviously way too excited, lifestyle photos are my favorite thing, and their home is absolutely stunning! We even managed to fit their fluffy new family member into a few photos before she dove back under the couch.