Zach + Brandi // Flint Holy Redeemer Catholic Wedding
Zach and Brandi went to grade school together but years later reconnected at a mutual friend’s wedding. Now, along with their families and strong Catholic faith, they had their own wedding at Holy Redeemer Church.
Jakob + Jessica // Weller’s Carriage House Garden Wedding
Jakob and Jessica were married at the historic Weller’s Carriage House in Saline, Michigan. The gardens were in full bloom as they shared their vows with family that traveled from far away as Germany.
Greg + Sally // Rustic Mountain Montana Wedding
The wedding invitation pretty much summed up this day: “Sally and Greg are getting hitched! In the woods! Near a lake!”
Landen + Kristin // Muskegon Country Club Wedding
Every single time I looked at Landen or Kristin on their wedding day, there were moments. Laughter, goofiness, hugs and being carried when your wedding shoes caused blisters, all of it made me realize how much respect, love and compassion these two have for each other, their families and their friends.
Nick + Andraya // Silver Lake Sand Dunes Engagement
Nick and Andraya played on Silver Lake Sand Dunes and cuddled in a canoe for their engagement shoot. They’re free spirits, crazy in love, adventurous and serious model material.
2017 // A Year in Review
These little moments of goodness that I’ve plucked from the thousands and thousands of photos I took in 2017, have made the hours behind my computer a happier place.
SENIOR Amber // Muskegon, Michigan
Amber is an active, gregarious soccer player from Reeths-Puffer High School who somehow brought the amazing light with her, not once but twice, as we divided her senior portraits into summer and fall.
Mike + Jane // Grand Rapids Winter Elopement
In a small art gallery on a snowy December day Mike and Jane eloped. I believe the date got changed three times but not because Mike and Jane weren’t sure they wanted to get married, it was that this was an elopement with a twist.
Jon + Sarah // Elegant Amway Grand Wedding
Tradition brought Sarah and Jon back to the Amway Grand to get married in the same Ford Presidential Ballroom that Sarah’s parents were married 35 years earlier. The couple both grew up in West Michigan but didn’t meet until their lives each took them to Chicago.
BRIAN DERKS // Veterans Day
Every Veterans Day, and lots of days in between since 2005, the Derks family finds its way into my thoughts. Twelve years ago, I covered the funeral of Army Spc. 4th Class Brian Derks for The Muskegon Chronicle. He was only 21 when he was killed in a roadside bombing while on patrol in west of Baghdad. I remember how the small town of White Cloud collectively mourned with his family.
Kevin + Meghan // Ann Arbor U of M Wedding
When I first talked to Kevin and Meghan and their wedding plans, Kevin said something about having a quiet, small family and Meghan said, “and mine is large and loud!” The one thing that was the same was their love of the University of Michigan. Meghan is a graduate of U of M and Kevin’s family had been lifelong fans. The couple now lives in Boston but wanted to bring all their wedding guests together in a town and campus they cherish.
FAMILY // Ibrahim
An unplanned conflict made this the second attempt to photograph one of my favorite families. It also happened to be what I think was the hottest day of summer. The air was thick and the small air conditioner didn’t quite cut through the humidity of the large warehouse studio we used. But here’s the thing, the Ibrahims are pure at heart, never complain and look stunning even when I know they’re melting. Thank you for being you. I love the way you love each other in these photos.