Doug + Sarah: Engaged (Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer)

January 14, 2012

I've been dreaming of this shoot for years. Then Doug and Sarah came along to make it happen! I met these two back in October, where we discussed their wedding for THIS October, and they mentioned that for their engagement session, they'd like to do something with ice skating. Yay! I FINALLY get to do my ice skating session at Rosa Parks in downtown Grand Rapids! Up until this weekend, we haven't had any snow sticking on the ground here in West Michigan, so I was worried our cute little city shoot might be a little gray and gloomy, but just as Sarah predicted, it started snowing on her birthday -- the Thursday before -- and just wouldn't stop. The result was a gorgeous winter wonderland in downtown Grand Rapids.

Despite the cold and snow, we spent the better part of two hours hanging around about a two block span of downtown, hopping from one location to the next, with me there all giddy and excited. Took a quick stop in a coffee shop to wait for the ice rink to open, and traipsed around in the newly fallen snow. You know I'm dedicated when I even lay on the freezing cold ice to get a shot! Even though the most of the session wasn't actually spent skating, it was great fun and we had a blast. Life is good.

Sarah is a girl after my own heart. She's excited to plan the exact wedding of her and Doug's dreams. Not to mention it's going to be at Castle Farms in Charlevoix (yay!) and feature DESSERT as the main course. Exciting! She's got some great ideas for her bouquets and colors, and I just cannot wait to work with her and Doug in another seven months or so. But for now, enjoy their engagement session!

^This blue wall (AMAZING!) has been eluding me for months. However, it turns out it was hiding in plain site all along!

^Ahhh, it's love!

^A good way to warm up.

^Sarah did this cute scrunchy face when Doug kissed her cheek. I love it!



^I think this is my absolute favorite!



^Don't let them fool you; it's cold out there!

^Loving me some candid snow walking shots.

^Time for some skating action!

^The burden of the seasoned skater... when you skate with someone less seasoned, you almost always have to lace up their skates for them ;-)

^This is about the only time Doug can toss Sarah around with out too much in the way of repercussions!

^Really like this one too!

^From down on the ice ;-)

^Time for the Red Wing's game!

Couple of the Month - January

Dennis and Jacquie - March 30, 2012

Every month, I will be featuring a new couple of mine! This month, I'd like to introduce Dennis and Jacquie!

Dennis and Jacquie are tying the knot this spring. The two of them moved to Jacksonville, Florida, just this past May after Dennis accepted a job there. It just so happens that a bunch of Jacquie's family live in the state, so it's nice she gets to be closer to them now. Jacquie's sister is one of my best friends, and I've been heading down to the Sunshine State quite often to do photos of their ever-expanding family. I'm very thrilled to be getting to go down for Jacquie's wedding. What better excuse to visit Florida than visiting friends and wedding photography?

They chose March for their big day and I am super excited about their wedding. It will take place at the Jacksonville Golf and Country Club (which looks just gorgeous!) and will be my first wedding of the year. I am so excited to get started! And they might even have a second reception for me to attend back here in Michigan for the family members who couldn't make it, since they are both from the east side of the state. Keep an eye out for these two again in less than three months!

Gill Family

January 1, 2012

Over the new year, my boyfriend and I drove down to North Carolina to visit his sister and her family. Paul is a Marine and works at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville. Mike has never been down to visit since his sister got married 15 years ago, so we figured it was about time. As part of our Christmas gift to them, we did some photos of all of them! I just love the kids, Tyle and Corin. Corin was my little shadow all week, and Tyler is full of knowledge of things you never knew you didn't know :) Billie Jo and Paul were nothing but hospitible and we had a blast spending time with them (which included a trip to Duplin Winery, which was awesome!). Thanks to the Gill Family for putting up with us and we hope to see you all again soon!

^I forget that even though they are a lot further south, it's still winter in NC. No leaves on the trees!

^Tyler and Corin, tolerating each other for the camera :)

^Tyler's almost as tall as his dad already! He's only 13!

^I think this one is my favorite.

^Now Uncle Mike can get in a few photos.

^Billie is Mike's big sister, but I think he wins in the "big" department!

Katie (Grand Rapids Maternity Photographer)

December 26, 2011

Back in December, we ran a contest to give a couple very deserving families-to-be a whole year's worth of photos; from before their baby was born, all the way to their first birthday, with four sessions in between. Our first winner recently had her maternity session done. Katie is probably the cutest pregnant lady I've ever seen. She's a gorgeous girl and I am so excited to see how gorgeous her baby will be. She and her husband haven't found out the gender, but they are excited to meet their little one.

Even with the holidays getting in the way... I wanted to get Katie's photos posted before her baby is born! We had to hurry because her due date is just next week! Katie met me at my studio to get some awesome shots of her baby belly. She brought along a bunch of cute outfits, as well has her equally gorgeous sister (who had a few helpful suggestions and style tips as well), and here's what we came up with. Stay tuned very soon to catch Baby Stitt's newborn portraits!

^Katie is absolutely gorgeous. Can you believe she is within two and a half weeks of her due date?

^Leather jacket, looking good!

^Such a beautiful momma-to-be!

^Katie and her twin sister, Jessica, who is also expecting! Their babies will be just 7 months apart! Exciting!

^Perfect placement of the flower on her shirt :)

^GORGEOUS!!!

^If the baby is a girl... little Miss Raygan!

^And if it's a boy... little mister David (after Daddy!)

^Can't wait for baby!!!

^Little Raygan or David will be back very soon for her or his newborn session :)