This was my little project for the fall.  I’ve been wanting to do a stylized wedding shoot for a few years, and finally this year I was able to pull it all together.  My stunning cousin Johanna was my model, she brought along her boyfriend Jake.  I borrowed a friend’s fall-tastic backyard, mom and I styled the shoot, and my very talented sister did hair and makeup.  Dress is from The Bridal Gallery on 44th Street.  Jake’s suit is from Banana Republic.  I made the bouquet and boutonniere.  The day started with a steady drizzle, I thought we would have to scrap the whole thing.  But the rain stopped and off we went.  Everything turned out beautiful!  Thanks to everyone for all their help!

I feel bad, I’ve been so busy with wedding season, I really have not had time to blog much this summer.  I thought I would throw up a quick post with some of my favorite images from this summer’s weddings (so far).  I’ve had 3 weddings in the past 8 days, so I have plenty to pick from 🙂

I had the pleasure of shooting a very special day for Sarah and Blake on Saturday.  I’ve been working with this family now for the past 2 years with various members of their families for pictures.  Much love to you Sarah and Blake.  May you be blessed as you begin your lives together!

My most recent engagement session!  I just love these pics, so much fun!

This is Ezra.  He is one of the nicest, sweetest, well rounded high school seniors I know.  He is also so cute, and I had a very hard time picking just a few pics for a sneak peek.  Ezra is my pastor’s son, I was honored and blessed to be asked to do his senior pictures.  Ezra is an avid snowboarder and was more than excited that it was only 45 degrees and cold the day we did his pics.  He was wishing all the rain coming down was snow.  While I don’t share his passion for snow and the cold winter months, we do share a passion for Christ and sharing His love with the world around us.  He is involved with Snowboarders and Skiers for Christ and also a team rider for Marhar snowboard manufacturer here in Grand Rapids.  What else can I say, this kid is awesome!

I love these pictures.  I am so excited with the way they turned out!  Allison and Mike were an awesome couple to work with and I feel their pictures reflect that 🙂  Not everyone can pull off the “no smile” serious look, but these two rocked it!  The day was perfect and the venue was fabulous.  The ceremony was held on the skydeck of the Loft 310 building in downtown Kalamazoo.  Reception was on the 2nd floor.  The couple were very untraditional, there was not a wedding party and they served donuts instead of cake.  Check out the pics, let me know what you think.  Fellow photographers, give me your thoughts!

I have been a very bad blogger this summer, with all the weddings I’ve had and vacations, it’s hard to keep up.  I wanted to share just a few shots from some of my favorite photo shoots this summer.  Enjoy!

A recent senior shoot from this past weekend.  What a stunning girl, beauty that comes from the inside out…

I have been looking forward to this wedding for a long time. I have known Ashley and her family for over 5 years now, her little brother and my son are best friends. Our families also go to the same church, so we see each other every week. So when she came to me over a year ago and asked me to be part of their special day, I was beyond excited! Everything went so well, as a photographer I couldn’t have asked for more. I pray a lifetime of blessings on you Mike and Ashley. God bless you both as you begin your lives together!

My nephew Henry is already 9 months old!  I can’t believe how fast the time has gone.  It feels like it was just yesterday that our immediate family was at the family rental cottage that my parents rent every year and my sister was waking me up at 1:30am, crying and saying she thought she was in labor!  She was 4 weeks early and didn’t want to interrupt vacation week with something like delivering a baby 🙂  But Aunt Cookie came to the rescue and drove her back into Grand Rapids in time for Henry Paul to come into the world.  What a sweet little man!