Last month I took photos for my friend Katie,
of her two beautiful children, Dylan and Ella.
They were turning 5 and 3, and had a baby sister on the way...
not too much later, Madelyn Mae was born,
and I was so lucky to get to meet her at only 4 days old!
She is just amazing.

I love little baby fuzz!

Love this...

Oh my, cute little toes!!!

Mady, you are a doll!!!!
You all have much to be thankful for this holiday season.
I am so happy for you, that you have a healthy, sweet little girl
here to enrich your lives and bring even more love into your family.
Congratulations!

I met Lynae and Mickey earlier this fall
to talk about their wedding and we had such
a nice conversation - they are so easygoing and friendly,
and as we wandered around a nearby park during this session,
I saw more of the love they share with each other.
We joked around, I took some photos,
but what I really remember was how
the three of us just truly enjoyed
one of the last *perfect* fall afternoons.
The air was sweet, the sun was golden as it lowered in the sky,
and my boots proved to indeed be waterproof ;)...

Lynae laughs a lot! I love it.

Lynae and Mickey,
your engagement session was honestly a reminder for me
to stop and relish the moment I am in!
I was taking photos, and yes I love these pictures of the two of you!
But it was just so nice to spend a little time getting to know you better
and to enjoy nature, laugh, and relax.
I have a feeling your wedding day is going to have
much the same vibe...
I am really looking forward to it! :)

I met Erika and Danny for the first time earlier this month
for their engagement session.
We were blessed with a beautiful day, and the setting they chose
was the home where they are starting their lives together.
I think it was the perfect choice.
I got to know them both a little bit while we wandered
around on their property...
Here are some of my favorites! :)

Erika and Danny are getting married in March 2010,
and already have some amazing details planned...
Congratulations on your engagement,
and I can't wait for your wedding day!

We moved into our current home in the fall of 2007.
We met some of our neighbors right away, but it wasn't until the following spring and summer,
when people started coming outside, going for walks, and enjoying the
warm weather, that we met Alissa and Mike.
They only live a few houses down from us,
and as it turned out, Alissa and I were both due to have a baby
within a few days of each other! I remember running into them on
a late night walk last fall. We both had the same idea... wanting to get things moving.
I had Henry the next day... a week and a half early.
Several days after that, Elleana came along too...fashionably late!

And just like that, her first year flew by! Seems like when you can't wait
for something to happen, time moves in slow motion...
but when you want to hold onto every moment, it goes by way too quickly!
Now she is this gorgeous little girl, toddling around, giggling, exploring her world.

Elle, I love that I've gotten to watch you grow over the past year,
and I had so much fun taking these photos,
thank you for being so good during our session!
Alissa and Mike, your family is beautiful, and I am just so glad that we
have such wonderful neighbors and friends.
Have fun with that little cutie!

Katie and Chad are getting married next summer.
When I first met with Katie over coffee, we totally lost track
of time sitting and talking about all kinds of things -
mostly wedding details - but many other subjects came up on tangents, and
we really just clicked so easily.
I am so excited that I am going to be their wedding photographer,
because I already feel like I have made a friend!

Last month Katie, Chad, and I
met up in a gorgeous setting, the fall colors were
amazing with all these beautiful golden yellow maple trees
lining the driveway, and the white fence and green grass...
oh yeah, and the adorable couple! :)

Wedding date! Can't wait!

Katie couldn't keep the serious sexy face without cracking up,
but I love that about her! She's so happy and quick to laugh.

I had a really nice time talking with you both during
your engagement session - and I hope you love your pictures! :)
I look forward to meeting with
you again, and of course your wedding day...
It's going to be so beautiful, and I can't wait to be a small part of it!
Congratulations and happy planning!!!

Jordan is a senior at Jenison
and we met up last month for his portraits,
we found some great locations that really
seemed to fit his personal style well...

I looooove these with the red grape vine and the chain-link fence....

Something different, a little urban grunginess....

In case you hadn't noticed by now,
Jordan has the most amazing blue eyes!

He also brought along his Fender acoustic
for some pictures of him playing!
I love when someone incorporates something meaningful
or important to them into their session....

It was very nice to meet you Jordan,

and I hope your senior year is wonderful.
I have a lot more great images,
but I wanted to give you a preview while I keep working.

Someday I hope you look at these pictures,
and remember this time in your life
knowing that you were true to yourself and
made the most of every day.
Best wishes for the rest of your time at JHS and
whatever the future holds!

My friend Katie was one of my first clients
when I was just starting out!
I took photos of these kids one year ago tomorrow, chased them around a park...
it was a big compliment that she hired me and now she is my first
"return customer" (other than maternity/newborn)!
The pictures I took of their two kids last fall were the beginning of my portfolio...
so I owe them a big thank you for helping me get my start!

Here are Dylan and Ella again - a year older, a year cuter...
This month they turn 5 and 3 years old!

Thank you again for hiring me for this session!
It is so fun to watch your family grow
(especially with another little girl on the way, very soon!!!),
and I am so glad I could take these pictures for you.
Blessings to you all for the coming year!

This is Caeden, and he just turned 2 last month!
Here's the thing about two year olds:
You aren't going to get them to pose!
In my book, that's a good thing.
Their expressions are honest,
and their actions are uninhibited...
so it is a perfect time to capture a child's emerging personality.

This little guy is just as sweet and curious as they come.
I'm guessing there's a mischievous streak in him, like any toddler,
but he seemed to have a gentleness...

Notice the red sucker in his hand -
it made its way into many pictures... but it kept him happy!

That's a laughing grin!!! :)

Caeden (and Mike and Liesel) it was
wonderful to see you,
and I had a lot of fun on our walk through the woods.
You guys are an adorable family! :)
Thanks again!

After rescheduling a couple times due to rain,
Kelsey and I finally got a great day for her senior session.
We went to a couple different locations,
and she had such amazing style...

New location, new outfit - I love her clothes...
they really work with the locations we went to,
and she was such a natural subject,
all I had to do was keep shooting!

This next one on the left might be my favorite of the session ;)
Her eyes look incredible!

Our last stop was Bauerwood Elementary,
where she went to school as a little kid...
such a fun idea!

Kelsey, I had a lot of fun with you
during our session. You are a beautiful person!
I hope your senior year is amazing...
Best wishes in school and everything else your future holds.
Thank you again for having me take these photos for you! :)

Kristi and RJ
are getting married this Friday!
After a busy summer of planning we finally made it to a beautiful park
for their engagement session.
It looks like the fall foliage was at its peak,
it just makes me happy to look at these amazing colors!



















Kristi & RJ have an adorable son, Zander,
who was able to join us for a few family pictures.
He is such a sweetie, so cute and cuddly, and I can't wait to see
him all dressed up on Friday!





I've always felt like fall was a new beginning,
maybe because of the years of school instilling that routine,
or the memories it evokes as we approach the holidays.
It is by far my favorite season... although it is so short, it is so glorious!
And this is their new beginning.
I wish them all the excitement, anticipation, warmth,
and love this time of year brings...
on their wedding day, and for the rest of their lives.