{Forts & Fun & Family}-Michigan-Family-Photographer

The Andrews family. What can I say? Not much – haven’t known them long. Now if Dan were here, he could write this post for me…you see, Nick & Dan go waaaaay back. Long time, life long friends. In fact, Dan was the best man in Nick & Mindy’s wedding.

I met Nick a few weeks ago when he was in town from Alabama. His big bear hug was a nice welcome, but I liked the guy already, just based on what Dan told me about him. When Dan told me Nick wanted me to do his family photos when they were here in town (they recently moved to Alabama), I was excited, and wanted to plan something super fun. My first plan didn’t work out because of timing, but I did hatch a little plan to celebrate the fun of family – with a little pillow fort!

Two year olds may or may not agree on how fun it is, but I had a blast capturing Nick reading to his son, and the snuggles between this lovely family.

Nick and Mindy – I hope to see you again soon!

{Norm & Amber} part deux – Michigan engagement photographer

So earlier this week I focused on Norm & Amber’s sweet blueberry farm engagement session….that wasn’t the end of the story. While we did spend most of our time there, we also ventured out to GVSU, where they first met, then in the last few minutes of sunlight went to Aman park and ran through the woods….it was still. just. lovely.

This will be a short one, but more goodies for my Amber!

Let us plan a picnic – Sarah & Kyle – West Michigan Maternity Photographer

Let us plan a picnic
Among the fields of grass
We’ll sit and love each other,
Not let this moment pass

Let us plan a picnic
My love, my dear, my mate
We’ll dine and dream, in sunlight’s stream
Together while we wait

So my poetry is less than stellar, but tonight there was a mood…which came after the dream…and there is an awaiting….for a dear sweet baby boy. Sarah & Kyle, new parents to be, wanted to celebrate this time with a beautiful maternity shoot. Like all good planners, Sarah had a pinterest board of ideas, some fun props & accessories, and of course, a willing photographer to participate in this fun.

We rolled up to our spot, compiled our goodies, and set up our lovely picnic. I love her sense of style, her adventurous nature, and of course, her great eye for photography (and by the way, it’s very nerve wracking to photograph another artist).

Fortunately, they don’t have long to wait before their wee one joins the family. Just a few weeks stand between them and the bliss of parenthood (and the diapers, and the sleepless nights)….but we don’t want to talk about those. We’re waiting for tiny toes, teensy fingers, baby squawks and super cute coos.

Until then, we’ll just celebrate the beauty is Sarah, expecting.

Berry Beautiful – A blueberry farm engagement {Amber & Norm} – Michigan wedding photographer

So, Amber and Norm.

Yeah, this one may make me tear up a little bit….or a lot. See, I’ve known Amber since she was born. I’ve babysat her, and yes, changed her diapers (a long time ago, not recently). She’s my little sister’s best friend, so she’s always been around. And I’d say that in her adult life, we’ve become really good friends ourselves – AND she also babysits my nieces (hello, full circle?). She’s pretty much awesome.

And Norm, well, he figured that out a long time ago. Back in the day, SIX years ago or so, they met in undergraduate school at GVSU. Looking back at photos of them when they first me – oy, they were just kids. Well, those kids have graduated – Amber has gone on to graduate school – and now they are building a house and planning a wedding.

We had this fabulous day planned, where we were going to go what we were going to wear, and then half way through the day I decided I wanted to do something fun, and a little fruity. After all, it IS blueberry season. So I hastily threw together a little blueberry themed picnic, made some calls, and thanks to my friend Jennifer and her father, Mr. Behm, we were able to have the run of Behm Blueberry Farm. By the way, it’s u-pick season, and I may have tasted a blueberry or two, and I have to say, they are fabulous! Head on out in the next few days and visit them!

There are so many pictures to share, but for now, I am going to stick to the farm….and maybe later put up a few more!

The love, it keeps a growin’ – {Lisa & David} – engaged

Almost five years ago I met the coolest family – while assisting Heather Funk at Warren & Maria’s wedding here in Grand Rapids, Michigan (the family is from Pennsylvania/Texas/DC). It was one of my first experiences photographing a wedding, and I fell in love with it.

Two years later, I was asked to photograph their daughter Sadie’s christening, a photoshoot with the babies on the beach, and the family adopted me as their own. There was even a joke name for me – Lynell Mandozanitzberry. Anyway, numerous friendships have grown, I’ve traveled to visit a few of them, and been at the beach enjoying every 4th of July with them. I am truly blessed to be able to think of them as family.

And as that family has grown, I’ve been a part of some special times. Birthday parties, funerals, christenings, engagements. Last summer I had the joy of celebrating with Gina & John by doing their engagement photos on the beach here in Michigan. This year, I got to do that with Lisa & David.

About Lisa & David – they are probably some of the nicest, sweetest, most genuine people you will ever meet. It’s no wonder they are perfect for each other. Their love is pure, sweet, and together they make an awesome team.

So Friday night we braved the 100 degree weather for a quick shoot – anything longer than that and we would have all melted.

I feel so fortunate to call them friends, and to have shared in this special time with them is something I’ll always treasure.

Lisa & David – enjoy this time! Love you!

Carter & Carly – Senior photos – double the fun!

Every photo session I do is a bit nerve wracking. Expectations on myself, hope for the outcome, desire to do a great job for my client and sometimes, it drives me and those around me a little batty as I get grumpy trying to make everything perfect.

Later, I realize not everything is in my control, and sometimes it can be better than I imagined. Today was one of those days. Not only was it the pressure of meeting more of Dan’s family (these are his cousins), it was the pressure of doing two sessions in one evening, at the same time. AND they came all the way from Florida, and Carly really wanted me to do her senior portraits. So it was a one day shot, because a session in Orlando is a little harder to pull off (though Orlando seniors, totally doable!).

See, Carter & Carly are twins. And that’s where the similarities end. I mean, obviously, not identical. Except in their coolness. They didn’t roll their eyes when I jumped up and down in glee as we got special access to a padlocked area in a location I will NOT divulge. And the vintage camera….well Carly is a budding photographer, so it was fun to bring in a prop that fit her interests as well. Props are fun, but mostly if they are fitting!

So anyway – a little more on these two: Musical, photogenic, sweet, energetic, and absolutely amazing to work with. I told them I couldn’t even wait to post their photos. So here they are…enjoy!