When Ashley first contacted me, asking for a session with her and her husband, I was beyond delighted!  Ashley is a talented photographer and if you have never had the delight of reading her blog, do so immediately.  Especially her Wednesday Randoms.  Her photography combined with her writing never cease to leave me with an instant emotion…happiness, laughter and even tears.  Her heart for animals and her husband are a constant source of inspiration.

Last week I drove up to Fremont to photograph these two doing the things that they love to do together.  We walked through the woods, played in fields, caught frogs and stalked birds.  Ok…the bird stalking was for me. But it was one of those sessions that left me so delighted I am a photographer.  Learning about the lives of others, driving through the country and enjoying a summer hike…all things that refreshed my spirit.

Ashley and Brian have been married for nearly three years.  They are without pretense and full of love for each other that is apparent to all that know them.  High school sweethearts and each other’s best friend.   A beautiful love story.  This session was for them. To capture that love.  No special day, no special anniversary.  Just because.

A few weeks ago, Sara and Chad welcomed the adorable Mr. Calvin into the world.  A beautiful, sweet baby boy.

What made this session even more special is that I photographed these new parents two years ago when they got married on the Blue Bridge in downtown Grand Rapids.  To date, still one of my favorite ceremonies!

Calvin was full of sweet and silly faces and was showered with love from his mom and dad. It is always a little surreal to see a couple move into such new chapters of their lives and be able to document a piece of that.

Sara made this sweet little bird mobile! This new mom needs to open up an Etsy store stat!

Their first baby…Obi!

Earlier this week I headed down to South Haven to meet Jackson and his parents at the beach.  As we walked down to the water, we realized we had the entire beach to ourselves, to enjoy the bright blue skies and crisp fall air.

Jackson is 19 months old and blew me away with his vocabulary and total adorableness.  We ran around the beach, chased the seagulls and I was able to capture the fun this family as they are together.

I have trained seagulls that live at the beach. I ask them to fly over at strategic moments for my pictures.

All three feet in unison.

So often I am surrounded by love…new love.  An engaged couple, a couple ready to be married, newlyweds, and those expecting their first little ones.  I am excited and honored to photograph these times, preserve these memories, and be part of these moments.

What does that have to do with this blog post?

Beth and Mike celebrated their 15 year anniversary on Thursday.  How did they choose to celebrate this occasion?  By having a photoshoot celebrating this love.  Not new love, but after spending a few hours with this absolutely adorable and dynamic couple, it was hard to tell it wasn’t.

Beth called me the day of their session and said ‘I hope you don’t think I’m crazy but I brought an orange chair with me for the shoot’. Yeah, Beth, you are fabulous.

Congratulations to you, Beth and Mike.  It was truly an honor to photograph you both.

Does one really need a reason to have a fabulous session?  My answer…absolutely not!

Julie is no stranger to my camera…and after recently attending the open casting call for the brand new Matthew Agency this past weekend, she decided it was high time for some new portfolio pictures.  We hit the town and even incorporated a little ArtPrize goodness into our shoot together!

Julie is a natural behind the camera and has an exuberance that is contagious!