This is How(e) we do it – Elle – Grand Haven child photographer

I met Elle about 9 months ago when I did her sister’s 2 year portraits – a cold blustery day – in November. Brrr….

Well, for Elle’s pictures, we had a lovely June day. A field (sign? what sign? I don’t see a sign?)…..and gorgeous light, and an adorable child who does so well in front of the camera, and pretty little dresses (check out the smocking on the orange one!)….the hat had some sizing issues, but it’s still adorable. 😉

Elle, thanks for being so fantastic today!

Sarah & Matt – part 2 – Grand Rapids engagement

So, I had to break tradition and do two blog posts for one session. I loved this session, and I don’t even love horses. I mean, they are cool and all (not to offend the horse lovers, mainly my niece), but I’m not a horse girl.

Sarah, however is. And I had NO IDEA when I scheduled their session. I just thought “field, natural, pretty” (Kind of like Sarah, minus the field part) and contacted my friends to ask if I could photograph on their property. And maybe, could we take pictures with the horses. I’m so glad I asked….to be able to give Sarah something fun for her engagement session (and I’ve learned now what makes Sarah happy, makes Matt happy). Sign of a great relationship.

Anyway, I had to save the horses for the second half of this. So as much as I have enjoyed, I hope you do.

Ahoy mateys! A pirate session for me! – Grand Rapids child photographer

So I’ve been a little obsessed with crafts lately. From sewing bonnets (see the etsy shop here) to making prop backgrounds my glue gun, sewing machine and mind have all been whirling & working hard.

One of the things I work on is giving my client a great experience – on taking the time to learn enough about them to build a special session just for them. I think it makes it exciting, puts them at ease, and for the kids, makes it fun.

In order to test out some of this “fun,” I asked a couple of girlfriends to come over with their boys and try out my pirate ship. I mean, what little boy doesn’t want to pretend to be a pirate at least ONCE in his lifetime? Naturally, they said yes!

I love the pirate ship. It allows the children to have fun – it’s creative play – and I can still get a great photo session out of it!

While this was just a test shoot in the back yard, I think it’s a great sign of things to come (note: the hot air balloon has been constructed, that shoot will come next week).

Henry Danger & Luke – thanks for being great pirates and coming to play with me today!

{Sarah & Matt} – Grand Rapids engagement

This blog post will probably come in two parts – one, because it’s already 11:15 pm and I really want to get pictures on line, and two, because I loved it so much I may have to share it twice!

I feel very fortunate that this year has brought me so many fabulous couples, a lot of creativity among them, and frankly, all around great people to work with. Not one of them is similar, and it makes each experience with them unique.

So today, despite a lovely 90 degree day, we managed to have a fantastic shoot exploring some parts of downtown Grand Rapids, and a jaunt out to my good friend’s home to play with horses & in an old orchard!

Sarah and Matt were naturals….and while they may have believed they were awkward, not photogenic, and didn’t know what to do, I can honestly say THEY DID. Wow, did they ever. Natural, perfect, and so in love. And those little looks from Sarah…I can see why Matt fell in love.

These next five weeks before their wedding will fly by, for sure – make sure you two enjoy every minute – I know I enjoyed every minute with you today!

getting personal…..florally speaking

My love of photography started with my love of gardening. I loved watching the blooms grow, expand and live out their life cycle…..again and again and again. I wanted to capture that, so I started photographing them. I’d share some of those early pictures, but nah, I don’t want to do that to you all!

As I learned more about photography (and gardening), I felt that the tool (camera) I was using was insufficient to capture what it was I saw, so I upgraded….then upgraded, then upgraded. As photography took off, my garden became a wee bit neglected.

This spring has been absolutely wonderful, and having a “partner in crime” to help me get the yard under control has been such a blessing (thank you Dan!). My love of flowers and gardening has not changed – I think it’s in my blood (Aunt Chris!) to have flowers everywhere around me. Fortunately, my photography has improved since those early days, and I can share more of what I see.

I also appreciate other people’s gardens, which is why this post features none of my own yard, and instead, shots from two other friends’ yards. I still love to take pictures of flowers, my own or someone else’s, and love the challenge of artfully capturing beauty wherever I find it!

Enjoy!

Another bundle of baby joy – Grand Rapids newborn photographer

Babies babies babies. Spring has already sprung, but the babies are still coming along…..I feel like I can’t even keep up on blogs because I’m photographing little toes and little squawks, and celebrating some fun new life with a bunch of families.

So I have to back up a few weeks and write a little about Sam. Sam was recently welcomed into the Kooyman family in full force. With all his glorious wrinkles, his cute little “poop face” and his soon to be adoration of his big brother (I can see it coming, it’s destined to happen).

I want to thank the Kooymans for inviting me into their home, for letting me snuggle on Sam, and allowing me to capture this new family as they celebrate Sam’s first days.

A little home in the woods – Grand Rapids family photographer

So when Chris contacted me about family photos, she says “Erin told me you’ve been doing cute things like tea parties in the woods.”

Uh, yeah, I have. I’ve really been working on building the experience of the photo session, making it unique, fun, artful (yes, there’s that word again) yet still using the surroundings closest to me. I have this lovely space behind my home where there are no houses….just a few lots deep of wooded area. To me, it’s a treasure trove of possibilities.

For the Matzke family, it became the fun of creating a living room in a living space. And for that, I carted out (ok, Dan carted out) my vintage couch, an old stereo, the old radio and a few decorations to go with it, including my cute new succulent in a mason jar (thanks Mindy & Ben) and hanging frames. I didn’t need the rug, the woods created a lovely carpet for me.

So that’s the setup. Little miss settled in to the couch, and bam, she had it. That lovely, soft, full-of-intent look I love so much. You can keep your CHEESE any day. Gimme serious, and I love it.

Enter Mr. Spiderman boots. Why of COURSE they can be a part of your outfit. ‘Cause they are awesome.

So during our time in the woods, we trekked into the “forest of doom” to search for a magic walking stick….we looked for fairies in the sunlight, and oh, we got some family pictures as well.

It was fun, magical (for me) and an utter blast. Too bad I’ve left the frames hanging outside since then. Guess I need to go cut those down.

But until then….enjoy these:

sweet baby love – Ainsley – Grand Rapids newborn photographer

I met Ainsley’s mom long before she was Ainsley’s mom. She was just a bridesmaid in a wedding I photographed. Well, not JUST a bridesmaid. And then a bridesmaid in a wedding in Washington DC, then bought a gorgeous print for her wall. But that sounds all work-y and about me. Natalie is so much more than that. She’s sweet, caring, giving and just all around a fabulous person to know. And when baby #3 came along, there was this eagerness about baby 3 that was so sweet to watch.

When Ainsley was born, I asked if I could come “practice.” I think that there’s never a reason to stop learning, to stop trying, and to challenge myself. And let me say this, newborns can be a challenge….and I love it. With the number of babies popping out around me lately, I figured it would be worthwhile to go give it a shot (pun intended).

After lots of bottle time, a ton of cuddling (seriously, one of my favorite parts of this), and a little maneuvering, we ended up with a pretty sweet session.