Mister Mason: 7 months old (Grand Rapids Childrens Photographer)

March 22, 2013

This little man is one of my little cutie's that I can kind of claim as sort of my own... yeah, just sort of, but his mom and dad are one of my first wedding clients AND I'm "marrying into the family". Mike's best man in our wedding, his best friend, Jason, is little Mason's dad. I love visiting Mason and his big brother, Logan, as well as mom, Erika, whenever Mike and I got over to their house. Mason loves to snuggle and I'm always obliged to do just that with him on our visits. He's my little "boyfriend"!

He was such a good little guy for our photo session! He's such a BIG boy! And so sweet and smiley too. He even did a little standing up all by himself (however Mom had to be ready to catch him when he finally tipped over!). He let us put him in all sorts of places and outfits, and really didn't get too mad at us until we were just about done. Thanks Mason!

^Look at that face! Isn't he so adorable!?!?

^He's so happy to be scooting!

^He loves his Mama.

^My absolute FAVORITE shot from our session. He looks so innocent... or scheming... :-)

^Wearing his overalls, just like his Grandpa.

^Standing up all on his own!

^Playing with his mirror-friend!

Tim & Crista: Engaged (Holland Wedding Photographer)

March 24, 2013

It's finally spring. Although the sun was out, it sure didn't feel like it. But I had a blast getting to work with Tim and Crista for the first time. Crista is a girl after my own heart. She got on the planning train immediately after Tim proposed and is whipping through all things wedding lately, which, from one planner to another, is very impressive! These two are a very cute couple and so excited to be marrying one another. Even with the cold and the wind that followed us around downtown Holland, we had a great time.

The first few photos we took during their session were some of the coolest (way to go, Crista) but I can't show them off just yet because they are going to be Save the Dates. Once Crista gets those out... I'll share ;) For now, enjoy all the other great shots of this cute couple!

^Crista rocks the foot pop ;)

^I think he likes her!

^Found this cool spot I haven't been to for a few years. Love it!

^LOVE Crista's sassy face!

^Scrabble fans in L-O-V-E.

^Engagement sessions are not complete without a middle-of-the-street kiss photo!

^Love this one.

^Such a cute pair.

^Keep an eye out for these two again in October!

Why EVERYONE Should Get Engagement Photos

March 20, 2013

First of all, Happy First-Day-of-Spring, everyone! It may be freezing, windy, and snowy here in Michigan, but all of us are READY for the warm weather, and all us wedding photographers (as well as us getting-married-couples) are ready for wedding season. In preparation for the upcoming season, I want to do a quick post that explains why I think EVERYONE should consider doing engagement photos with their photographer before their wedding. Check it out!

Reason #1: You photographer LOVES to work with YOU.
As a photographer, working with each and every couple personally is a great experience. It's great to know how the couple and you interact in an actual photographic situation ahead of the wedding day, so both you and the photographer knows what to expect. I've always been told that I have a way about me that makes my couple's enjoy the experience, and I sincerely hope that's true! I love what I do! But as I mentioned, it takes a little extra strain off everyone to know what to expect on your wedding day.

Reason #2: Memories!
Even though you will have tons of awesome photos from your wedding, having a few extra of the two of you looking "normal" is always a great opportunity. After the wedding, life takes back over again, and it seems like you rarely have any time or occasion to get your photos taken, just the two of you. With engagement photos, most people expect to see them and you have a great reason to do them... decorations for the wedding, newspaper announcements, wallets for grandma or mom's fridge, etc.

Reason #3: Wedding client discounts
A lot of photographers have engagement photo discounts for their wedding clients, myself included. We WANT to work with you more than just the once, so you should totally take advantage of that! My policy is half-off for my wedding clients, and some prints ARE included!

Reason #4: Access cards :)
This may not be typical of all photographers, but one thing I like to do is create gallery access cards for your guests to take at the wedding reception. They have all the info on how to view your wedding photos as soon as they are edited. And they have your faces on them... if you do engagement photos!

These are this year's designs, and I love them! All my couples this year are already awesome, and I can't wait to work with each of them (I've got a few more sessions scheduled... so keep an eye on the blog for their posts!). It's already been a pleasure working with them on engagement photos, and I hope to get to fit EVERYONE else in as well! You know my take on the subject, so just let me know when you are ready to make your appointment!!! Oh, yeah, I do mini-sessions as well, in case you already had your photos done by a friend or something :-)

And just to show these next two couple's off, they are the stars of my May weddings. Can't wait to see the four of you again... VERY SOON!

Jeff & Katie: Engaged (Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer)

March 14, 2013

Our final wedding schedule meeting turned into an impromptu engagement session! Don't you love it when that happens? I met Katie last summer when she and Jeff were planning to get married in October. Well, sometimes life happens, and things take a little longer than expected. Now, these two love birds will be tying the knot on the first weekend in May, and I'll be there! At our meeting, I got to meet Jeff for the first time, talk about the day of the wedding schedule, table numbers, and I was even a scarf consultant. These two are great to talk to, and a super cute couple as well, which is one of my favorite things!

Though they aren't the biggest fans of having their photo taken, the camera loves them, and it'll love them even more on their wedding day. Can't wait for wedding season to start back up again! It's going to be an amazing year!

^Told you they were a good-looking couple!

^One of my favorites. Katie looks especially gorgeous when she laughs!

^Love!!

^Awwww ;)

^It was REALLY chilly but they braved a few shots outside without their coats!

^Another favorite!