jen & jeff {engaged}

It's a rainy October day here in Michigan, but it was also a rainy October day a couple weeks ago when I shot Jen & Jeff's engagement session @ Calvin College. So, in honor of the rainy weather, and the two of them... I have a little rainy preview for you all!


Normally, I would reschedule on a rainy day. However, Jen and Jeff are currently in a long-distance engagement while Jeff works in Minnesota. So we had to coordinate a date when we were all in the same city! I actually quickly found out that Jeff was a longtime friend of Keith, whose wedding I was shooting the next day... which is why Jeff was in town! Perfect! (FYI... I'll be posting Meghan & Keith's wedding preview next week!). All three of us were willing to continue with the session, so instead of rescheduling, we pressed on!

Jen and Jeff were so wonderful!! The both of them just have contagious, happy personalities - and they are so in love! It was a joy trekking around the nature preserve with them! The trees were just starting to change color, so we tried to take advantage of that when we could. Jen confessed that she always wanted an autumn wedding, but since she also has a passion for teaching, she quickly realized that planning a fall wedding during the schoolyear would not be too possible. Instead, she planned fall engagement pictures and is planning a July wedding! Despite the rainy weather, the both of them were in great spirits and we were able to get some fun, loving shots!

Thanks for spending the cold, rainy evening with me, Jen & Jeff! You two were troopers and I hope you love how the pictures turned out! Best wishes in all the planning! I can't wait to see you both again! Enjoy the preview!



As we walked deeper into the woods, we ditched the umbrella and they braved the raindrops!

Bling bling. Her ring was beautiful! Jeff did an awesome job ;)

One of my favorites!! So soft and sweet...

Love it!




The rain paused for a bit to allow us to go out into the open area... and we were so excited about all the color we found!

Mmm... red berries, autumn leaves, and love... good combo for a picture :)



Coming soon.... Meghan & Keith {married} and Kyle {senior}

tim {senior}

Being a senior in high school is an exciting time in life.  You are finishing up your last year of high school, filling out tons of college applications, spending all your free minutes studying hanging out with friends, etc. I love thinking about my senior year and all the "lasts" of high school since it seems like every moment of senior year is a memorable experience. Personally, senior year was a good year for me and even though during the time all the "lasts" and all the stresses were bittersweet, they are good to remember and reflect upon!

Well, a couple weeks ago I got to spend the afternoon with Tim to celebrate his senior year of high school. Tim is quite the athlete - and one of the sports he excels in is football. Before his mom even asked, I knew we had to do at least part of the session at the football field! Unfortunately, Tim's season has been cut short due to injury, but the years of memories still live on and I think it was perfect to commemorate his senior year with a photoshoot of him in his element!

Tim, it was fun spending some time with you and hearing about your current and future plans! I hope your senior year is a great one for you - CHERISH THESE TIMES! Enjoy your preview :)

Even though getting his picture taken is his favorite thing to do, I think Tim totally rocked this session!!

His mom suggested this new location to me and I fell in LOVE with it!

See how good he is at getting his picture taken?? Seriously, Tim... you did awesome!

This was my favorite part about the location... this tree! SOOOOO sweet.

coming sooooooon! Jen & Jeff {engaged} and Meghan & Keith {married!}

jud & corey {married}

Before this wedding, I had never been to Kalamazoo before. I have heard lots about it and have many friends who hail from that area, but I just never have gotten around to check it out... until Jud & Corey's wedding! I had the pleasure of spending the day in the beautiful city. The weather was gorgeous (a pleasant surprise :)) and the venue was really cool. The ceremony and reception were both held at the Cityscape Events Center right on the Kalamazoo Mall, but I started the day at the Radisson right down the street where the girls & guys were getting ready.

One thing I noticed about the day was... the details! Everything was either grey or yellow (the wedding colors) and all fit together so well!! But more on that later :)

Jud & Corey - I had a fabulous time spending your wedding day with the two of you! It was fun getting to know you and learning all about your relationship from family and friends that surrounded you that day. I wish you both the best as you begin this married life! Enjoy the preview!

Corey didn't think her shoes were anything special... but I say, any shoes the bride wears are worth showing off... and look how cute they are!!

Love this moment! Corey is folding up her vows to carry with her to the ceremony...


I walked down to the guy's room to find the groom, Jud, pinning all the flowers on his groomsmen!

I was impressed - I can't even pin the boutonnieres on!

Jud, his groomsmen, and ushers in "flying V" formation :)

I think this is one of my favorite groomsmen shots!

Sooooo funny ;)

Corey and all her ladies - bridesmaids, jr. bridesmaid and flower girls!



Then it was back inside for the ceremony!

Husband & wife!

Cutting the cake... haha! :)

Some of the details.... love it!

We were able to sneak away during the reception to snap some shots of just the two of them!

Check. out. this. wall. oh yea.

Corey said that Jud wasn't much of a dancer... but we got him out on the dance floor for a few songs!

Great venue.

And they're off!