Earlier this week we went to Tunnel Park with some friends and their two boys.
Actually we're connected in a couple different ways -
my husband Ron teaches at the same high school where Mike taught.
Mike went to Hope College, and we have some mutual friends from there,
and I worked at the high school for a couple years and got to know him during that time.
His wife, Jenn, is also a wonderful photographer,
and you can check out her work on her website.

So, a little while ago we planned a trip to the beach. A couple sprinkles threatened, but it turned into a nice night and we had fun chasing the kids around with our cameras.

Our kids got along really well, and yes I got some pictures of ours too... but this post will keep the focus on their adorable family - the two boys were so fun :)








Liam - 2 years old - is such a sweet boy. I love his curls!
He's a cuddler... :)





Footprints!





Who needs swim trunks? Sam wasn't at all afraid of jumping in the lake (and then the sand... and then the lake... and then the sand...) with all his clothes on! Hilarious!



This boy reminds me of Peter Pan in this picture...
He seems to have a spirit to match.



Let's do it again sometime!
We had so much fun hanging out with you guys. :)

I have been so lucky so far to get to work with such lovely clients.
Tashia and Bobby are getting married in 2010...
They are so down-to-earth and friendly, and
it was nice to meet them in person for the first time.

We met in South Haven, halfway between where we live.
It was ideal, and apparently a lot of other people thought so too,
because the town was busy!
We got away from the crowds though (as much as we could!)...



I loved this clock! How fitting for an engagement session
to have the symbol of "time". They have just over a year left until their big day,
but lots of plans are already in the works!

In fact, for these two, this all got started way back in middle school!
I think that is so amazing... and how exciting for their friends and families to see
this childhood romance evolve!




Aiming for some flare... :)






Some of my favorites... We were on the pier and the waves
crashing against the side made it in some of the shots... :)
As soon as I saw this dark, smooth puddle I was so excited because it was
this perfect situation to get a crystal clear reflection!





Back in the downtown area... I love the unique architecture in cities like this.






Tashia and Bobby, congratulations on your engagement
and thank you for choosing me to
photograph your wedding day, I can't wait!

Last week I posted a preview photo from a family session at the park....

It was a perfect afternoon, and this is a beautiful family.
Emma and Jacob were adorable little kids, and their mom and dad were so nice
and relaxed. I love sessions like this. The session was actually a birthday gift to Krista (the mom) from family.
That's a first for me, being part of a gift for someone! I very much appreciate my friend Amy for giving me the opportunity :).
That is a huge compliment.

Before the kids got too restless we went for some "traditional" group photos.
They're nice, and I like to get something like this, even if I have to take several shots to make it happen....



... however I personally love the ones where the focus is on each other, and not on me!



This is my favorite kind of family photo, actually....
it really shows a lot more what life is like with a toddler and a baby:
a little disorganized maybe, but beautiful nonetheless!





Reflecting...



I just love this expression. He was a so smiley and easy for me the whole time,
all his pictures are him grinning for the camera, or his mom and dad...
so this was something a little different - just a sweet, curious face!



All you other photogs (and parents!) out there know how tough it can be to get two little ones both looking in the same direction for a photo -
and yes I succeeded (with help from Mom and Dad)!
However, I liked this one, with Emma looking around at her little brother.





Another family portrait that isn't very traditional, but I love the scene.



My personal favorite of this little cutie:



She was so happy to be able to just run around and explore...
you know she's movin' fast down that hill!







This one was one of my favorites too...
I just got lucky and got the best expressions out of them!











Family sessions are wonderful because there are many different relationships
within the family to capture. Besides the whole group, I can include individuals, parent and child, siblings, husband and wife. It is really important to take the time and try to show these other facets of family life.

Thank you Kevin and Krista! I am so glad you are happy with your photos.
From the bottom of my heart, I hope you look back at these thirty years from now
and love them even more.

I had the honor of photographing my friend Kristin's newborn
baby girl a couple weeks ago. The last time I was at her house was her baby shower,
and the time before that I was taking maternity photos of her with her husband Brad!

Ainsley was born a bit early, so she was still a tiny little peanut...
but she was very alert the whole time!
That's fine with me though, because you can see her
beautiful dark blue eyes....
Will they stay, or change to brown or hazel?



This might be my favorite baby feet picture! I just love her little toes stretching out
and all the girly pink-ness.








Her perfect little ear. Hello!



I love this one - a favorite for sure:



I adore the baby peach fuzz newborns have...
This little one wasn't even to her due date yet when these were taken!
Details like this are so miraculous and special, because they change so quickly.





Deep in a conversation with her mama...
"yes, that is an interesting point, hmm..."



She is such a beautiful girl, I was so happy to hear when she was born
and everyone was happy and healthy! I loved meeting her, and I'm so thrilled that
Ron and I get to watch this child grow up. Congratulations again!

No, you can't see their faces, but you can definitely feel the connection between this two year old and her mommy. I wasn't setting out to get this type of picture, in fact this was toward the end of our session and the daughter was about done with me! I noticed her playing with her mother's ring, and realized that this was probably her little nervous habit. So cute!

Although the little girl was, by this point in the session, pretty tired of getting her photo taken, I thought it was a sweet moment, and I'm so thankful I was paying close enough attention to capture it. I won't lie, having a little toddler girl myself, this image seemed so familiar... maybe that's why it stood out to me. But it's them, they will know the ring, the hands, the clothing. It isn't generic, but it is universal.

More from this gorgeous family coming soon...

Last week I went downtown with Hanna, because she loves the city style!
She was very sweet (not to mention gorgeous) so
I had a wonderful time taking her photos...
She will be starting her senior year at Grandville this fall,
and she's already gearing up for tennis season!





We "discovered" these fun green chairs...



We weren't far from the cool dark stone fountain,
so that was our next stop. I love the simplicity of it as a backdrop.
I love water, and I love what it adds to portraits,
especially in a place where there is so much glass, concrete, and stone.





Then we went for some of the "old city" style...
amazingly her three outfits were absolutely perfect for each location,
which was just a lucky coincidence.
However, I think I might like these colors the best of all.





I loved this session - it seemed so easy, relaxed, and casual... it hardly felt like work (well, photography never really feels like work to me)! I love so many photos it was hard to choose which to post - there are many more that turned out just great. Thank you Hanna for choosing me for your senior pictures, and best wishes for your last year at GHS!

I met up with this family in Ludington for a session on the beach. The whole group was so nice and it was absolutely perfect weather. I had fun chasing the kids around and got some of the entire group as well! I posted one preview photo a little while ago, but there were so many more great images from the session that, even though it was a couple weeks ago now, I still wanted to share some on the blog!

The brothers-in-law, laughing at some kind of shenanigans going on. And a little blonde cutie in the dune grass, I love the trace of a smile...

    

One of my favorites... EVER!





There was a nice strong breeze, perfect for kite-flying, and they came prepared!

    

Brothers.... :)


and their little cousin....



And all four grandchildren with Grandma and Grandpa, flying the kite.



    

Normally I don't always love the images where someone is looking right at the camera, but this one is definitely an exception - like he's saying, "pretty good, huh!"
with kid brothers right behind him! Love it.



Summertime in Michigan is practically defined by the
beautiful beaches on the big lake. Isn't it easy to take it for granted?
It's practically a freshwater sea right here for us to enjoy, and it's beautiful all year,
but a summer afternoon is just perfection!

Thanks again for having me come out and photograph your beautiful family!

While we were in Mexico for Kelly and Heath's wedding, I also took some senior pictures of my cousin Brady. His brother Taylor came along too, and I think it's nice to get a siblings shot if at all possible! I remember getting a sweet sibling picture with my sister during her senior photo shoot (oh... back in '96), at Holland State Park with our big Abercrombie flannels on! LOL.. anyway, back to the point... Brady's pictures!





How could I not end up with great shots in a location like this?
Besides, Brady has a great sense of style. Must run in the family... ;)
Brady is an amazing soccer player at Jenison, and an excellent student as well.
I truly look forward to seeing what the future holds for him.









I just realized this is the only black and white I am posting here, but I love it... the siblings shot! These two definitely have a strong bond, although they have the normal sibling rivalry issues, they have a lot
to look forward to as brothers and friends, trust me.



Enjoy the rest of your summer, as well as senior year!
I hope someday you look back very fondly at your high school years,
but the best is yet to come...