A little bit of mad love – Eric & Angel – Michigan engagement session

Angel and I met over a phone call and an email, and a little mad love was born. Well, actually, I learned of her love for Eric and her love for Mad Men (the tv show, not the attitude).

As we talked about their wedding (September, in Kalamazoo), her style, their dog (who was going to be joining us for their engagement session) I knew I’d like this couple. When the day for the engagement session rolled around, our plans for the beach were laid aside as it was a lovely 48 degrees and a bit windy. Not exactly beach weather for these two Floridians (or a Michigander for that matter).

So while the beach hasn’t happened (yet, still trying to figure that out), we did make it into a lovely little shop – Lost & Found antiques – where the owner, Mark, graciously let us wander around his shop and take pictures.

I’m glad Eric & Angel understood this is how we get to know each other better – how the engagement session gives me a feel for how they’ll “work” on their wedding day, and for me to learn more about their personalities. And I’m glad they didn’t hold back. They are goofy, silly and totally madly in love. It was a riot. Not a lot of serious stuff, but hey, we’ll save that for later – for now, it was time to celebrate. Oh what am I saying, I’m pretty sure their wedding day won’t be serious either.

So to end this little blog, I’ll just leave you with a small sampling of their mad love.

Eric & Angel – see you soon!

Say yes to the (new way to) dress

Brides, let’s talk. Grab a cup of tea, sit down a minute. Your bridesmaids will thank you.

We’ve all been there at least once in our lives, or at least walked with a friend through that deep dark place known as “the bridesmaidsdressland.” It’s not usually a pretty place.

No offense to those whose weddings I’ve been in (June, you are forever excused from this conversation), but I have never, and I repeat NEVER re-worn the dresses from your weddings. I never even desired to rip off the giant red bow (ok, that’s not entirely true, but that was before the wedding), or tried to figure out how to reshape that giant poof on the bottom, just to be able to “wear it again.” Never.

First of all, the measuring/fitting/shoe dying process was less than exciting. (Hey, these were the 90s, give me a break here….shoes WERE dyed then.) The one size fits no one approach to dresses benefitted well, no one. Sure we matched. But….yep, ok, that’s it. We matched.

Thankfully times have changed a bit. JCrew and a handful of others made the oh-so-cozy-aren’t-we-all-cute dresses more of a regularity, but we can all admit, that same dress approach is still out there. You may be thinking “well, at least they aren’t expensive dresses they will never wear again.”

But like anything in life, times they do a change, and there have been some great changes. BHLDN, for one. Sigh, they are gorgeous. But not every bridesmaid has that budget, and not every bridesmaid has that BODY.

I know you want to look your best on your wedding day, but trust me, so do your bridesmaids. That’s why they all buy spankx.

So how do we accomplish multiple goals at once? Being YOUR wedding style conscious, budget conscious, and loving and gracious to your dearest friends…..sometimes it takes a new way of thinking. Or shopping.

A friend of mine, through the miracle of facebook feed, turned me on to this website: eSHakti. Dresses are adorbs. Prices are drooly. And best of all, THEY CUSTOMIZE. I mean, by size. You pick the dress, grab a tape measure, and send all that off, and poof, here comes a customized dress. If it doesn’t fit, THEY TAKE IT BACK. (Ever have THAT happen during a fitting?)

Now I can’t say I’ve used them. I’ve read articles and reviews. I’ve looked at the dresses, and considered grabbing that tape measure to get a few for myself. But my first thought was “Umm, hello, bridesmaid dresses?? Please and thank you.”

Brides, in this day and age, anything goes. And making your bridesmaids feel pretty and comfortable, and leaving them with dresses the pretty much could wear again will start a trend….a trend of happiness and joy.

So, consider the possibilities. Stretch your imagination. And maybe….get one for yourself too!

With peace, love & fashion,

– Lynell

PS the photo you see here is me and my bestie, June, on her wedding day. 😉

Goodness gravy, here come the babies! – West Michigan maternity photographer

I recently posted a lovely maternity session for Lisa & Josh, then jokingly posted later that “this must be the year for my clients to have babies.

Ring ring goes the phone: “I guess I should let you know, you’ve got another one.”

Facebook post of an ultrasound – another one! And then another one!

I think one of the fun parts of this business is being invited into people’s lives, sharing in their wedding day, celebrating with them, and then watching their lives together take off in whole new directions.

It has been so fun to see this next phase though….to see all the cheers of “we’re having a baby” pop up on facebook, in text messages, and in personal notes.

Susan and Lee are another one of those special stories. While the post may be a bit delayed, you may have already seen some of the pictures on my facebook fan page. If not, they will be here to drool over as well.

Since the first day I met her, I could only describe Susan as sweet. She is just sweet sweet sweet. And Lee loves sweet. They are adorable together. The way they love each other is pure, precious, and yes, sweet.

I can’t wait to meet sweet baby!

But until then…back to the maternity session. One of the things I love to do in these is not just say “here’s a big belly,” but rather celebrate the beauty of a woman in her pregnancy, because it is a beautiful thing to behold.

Susan is no exception – she’s beautiful inside and out, and her pregnancy only brings it out more!

I’m excited for you both – and can’t wait to meet little baby beyer! 😉

Congrats!

{Viv} – West Michigan child photographer

In every session I do, there is a story. Sometimes that story is sweet, and sometimes that story has a bitterness which makes for a deeper sweetness. That is where this story lies. In the bitter sweetness.

Clients come in and out of my life – sometimes for a little while, sometimes for ever, and sometimes they come back into my life in beautiful ways, in unexpected ways.

The story behind the story behind the story here is one of those unexpected ways, and while the details will remain between us, the reason why this session was so special to me is because of that.

It is the story of a princess.

In some way, in many ways, we girls are all princesses. Some have shiny knights who fight for and protect them. Some have rogue knights who ride up on a horse and save them from evil. And some of us have things happen that make us forget we are princesses. Some get trapped in towers. Some get a bad apple and fall asleep. Some get so caught up in the drudgery of life they can’t see their beauty through the ashes.

But fortunately, no matter what life brings, we never really stop being princesses, we just forget. And we can always be reminded.

Just over a year ago, Viv’s mom Tammy helped me remember that I am also a princess. A very special kind of princess….and Tammy, I hope you know that one conversation with you was an essential step in the reclaiming of my tiara. 😉

So for your daughter, I wanted to do something special. I wanted to celebrate her, and show her that she is important. That she is loved. That she is to be adored because she is. It’s nothing she has to do….it’s just because she is.

Viv, I hope you never forget you are a princess. Of the most princessy-kind. I hope that each smile you have filled with light and laughter reminds your mommy that she too is a princess.

And princesses are special. Forever.

Environmental. Education.

So this shoot originally started out as just a fun way to celebrate spring break with Lilly, who claims (and is right) that she is loved by the camera. As I started wandering around in the woods behind my house, I wondered how I could combine the environment I’m in with a little bit of education.

That grew into gluing moss on to globes….finding antique desks….and styling a shoot that ended up being a learning experience for so many people. Even Betsy, a teacher (also on break!) joined in the fun and got to learn the ins & outs of modeling.

I’m so grateful to everyone – to Chloe Malmquist, who tried her hand – and succeeded – at her first makeup application for a photoshoot, to Liz Wolter & Lisa Minnesma, students at Cornerstone & Calvin, respectively for being great assistants/job shadower, and to Julie for your excitement in letting me photograph your daughter, and most of all, to Betsy and Lilly for just pulling that whole lotta awesome out of you!

Here’s a little teaser….there’s so much more to come!

{Emmitt Family} – West Michigan Family Photographer

I’ve known Beth and Andrew for years….back when they were itty bitty volunteers in politics, and I was a big wig low-level staffer. Yeah, that long ago….anyhoo….times have changed, Andrew & Beth tied the knot, then had a child….then another….and over time, we kept in touch. A couple of years ago, I did their family photos, with the epic “baby toss” photo.

Fast forward…some work with Andrew for his business Air Tite insulation, and have loved getting to know them better as professionals and a family.

I met them out at the family farm today (goats, chickens, and cows, oh my – Amy, beware, I may join in you in an obsession with farm animals). Barns, hay bales, puddles and a lot of fun was had. Well, mostly – the mud MAY have caused a little drama.

There was dancing. There was peacocking – ask Beth about that one!

So while the farm animals are not family members, they had to make the gallery. Because they were cute, they had to stay.

Andrew & Beth – thank you!

Gimme a break – Spring Break, that is……ONE WEEK SPECIAL!

So for all of you stuck here in Michigan while your friends are facebook updating and instagram-ing pictures from all over the Orlando (I’d say world, but let’s face it, most everyone is in Orlando!), this post is for you!

I want to get out and enjoy the sunshine as much as you do – so I’m offering a special for this week only – 50% off my session fee (normally $150, now $75). Still comes with a print credit of $25, and a whole lot of fun!

Contact me here and book your session today!

It’s no Disney, but it could be goofy!

(yes, I just said that)

{Elsie} – One year – Grand Rapids child photographer

I first met Elsie before she was born. Well, I met her mother, had known her dad for a while, but then Elsie came along, and I got to meet the whole family.

Since then Elsie and I have had the opportunity to “play” together a few times….but this session, her 1 year, well, it was nothing sort of special. I thought “oh, pink balloons, that will be cute.” Oh, it’s cute alright. Unless you want to do a single shot without the balloons.

And for the record, distracting a one year old with tulips doesn’t work either. They try to eat them.

Back to balloons.

They were a blast. Her little face lighting up, the smiles, the excitement. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Little Elsie – happy 1 year! I look forward to celebrating with you for years to come! Balloons may be included!