light light and more light – Grand Rapids photographer

Photographers love light. Using it, exploring it, embracing it. We love the golden hour, just before sunset, when everything gets this lovely warm glow, and on a 97 degree June day, it was warm!

To cool off, we went and hung out with some dear friends who are special for so many reasons. None of them include the fact that they have an in-ground pool. But it doesn’t hurt!

So a few summer mojitos, a splash in the pool, some laughter and some good conversation, and of course, a trek through their lovely garden to capture that late evening light.

One of the fun things about helping Dan explore photography is that it is renewing my love of photographing the small things of life – to think of it as fun as well as work – and also – as art.

So as we all sweat out this day, I hope these late evening beauties leave you basking in a warm glow of delicious light.

{Sadie Bug – 1 yr} – Grand Rapids AUNTIE photographer

Let’s face it, some shoots are easier than others……and then there are some that are just more fun than others, because the subject is so precious.

Today was one of those. My sweet niece, Sadie, has turned 1, and Dan helped me build this beautiful hot air balloon prop for her…which she promptly decided to launch her self off of every time we tried to put her on it. Guess it’s going to be just for 6 month olds and younger now! No mobiles!

Anyhoo….Sadie is an absolute joy. She’s smiley, she’s happy, she is all around a fun baby to be with – of course, I don’t ever have to wake up with her at 6 am, so I think she’s pretty perfect…but I think her parents do too.

I could go on and on and on about this kid, but for now, I’ll just give you a sample of the loveliness I get to experience all the time!

Matilda Jane Mini Sessions

So a while ago now I did this fun little Matilda Jane trunk show, and out of it had the fun of doing a few mini sessions – with a bunch of adorable little girls all dressed up in their cute clothes. I’m sorry, but there’s not much quite like MJ (except one designer I hope to feature some day!)…..

So while the pictures have made facebook, and the Young ladies made the blog….I’e been sorely lax in getting any formal blog post up.

I don’t need to share a lot to share this massive load of adorableness…..so here you go!

when the one you love….(introducing the new assistant)

….loves what you love….or at least loves you enough to be unimaginably supportive, well, it’s pretty dreamy.

For the past two wedding seasons I’ve had the greatest assistant, Lexi Reed. She anticipated my needs, saw things the way I did, and was an absolute doll to work with. She quickly became a great friend, and as a friend, when she told me she was moving to Florida, I was so happy for her, yet so sad to see the end of our time together.

Ever since I learned she was leaving, I thought about/considered/prayed for the right replacement. I’ve always viewed that assistant role as supportive, allowing me to be better at what I do – and frankly, Lexi was amazing at it. At the same time, I could hand over my camera and know she could rock it out. Lexi, I miss you.

In the process of trying to figure this “challenge” out, I considered what was important to me in an assistant, and figured out that 1) I didn’t want to be away from Dan so much on the weekends (despite the fact that the weekends are primarily when I work) and 2) I wanted someone who would be supportive of me, my goals, and my dreams. I also wanted someone I could trust to take a great photo when I needed them to.

As Dan developed his blog, The Beer Truck, he wanted to use better photos. He could have me do it for him, but then it became more fun to just teach him how to do things himself. So he started taking better and better photos. Well, I’ve created a “monster” of sorts. He is hardly ever without a camera, and he loves it. And I love it, because he is truly embracing something I love so much.

When I create a new prop/background, he’s right there trying to help make it better. He is so supportive, so encouraging, and really, truly has my back. He’s the perfect…..Lexi? No, he’s the perfect Dan, and this year, you’ll find him along side me, supporting me as my “assistant” at my weddings. It feels weird to call him an assistant, because he’s more of a supporting partner than assistant. I know I’ll be loved, encouraged, cared for, and I am fully confident in his ability to grab a camera and shoot right with me.

Dan, I love you and am happy to have you be a part of this with me.

Thank you for sharing my love…..my love.

(To share with you some of what he’s photographed, I’ve compiled a couple of quick shots he just took, and one of him “at play.”)

The Schafers – East Grand Rapids Family Photographer

Dr. Schafer & his wife own Schafer Chiropractic & Healing Spa over on Breton (near the Breton D&W), and Andrew is in a networking group with my lovely Dan. I had the pleasure of photographing this family for business purposes (headshots), and also got to have some fun with their lovely daughter, Viv. Mom, Shari-Beth is fabulous in front of the camera, and their little one isn’t far behind in talent!

While we endured some heavy sun and extremely warm temperatures, and just a few mosquitos, this was what we finished with:

The Young Ladies – Grand Rapids family photographer

These sweet girls were part of my Matilda Jane trunk show series, and while I’ve been horribly lax in blogging (doesn’t appear so, but I’m backed up a bunch of sessions!), I wanted to get a few pictures of these cuties on the blog today.

I first met their parents at a wedding I was photographing – they have their own photography business, and established a sweet connection then! Over the years we’ve kept in touch thanks to the wide world of facebook, and when Stephanie participated in the trunk show I was so excited – their adorable daughters, and the pressure of photographing the children of another professional photographer.

Well, the pressure wasn’t too bad, as these girls have obviously spent a few hours in front of a camera, and I had a blast with them, especially when they started pulling out the “special” poses for me.

You three are fabulous – and your parents, well, buckle up folks, this is going to be an exciting ride!