Monthly Archives: December 2010

kristi + arden

jenn | December 31, 2010 - 3:18 pm

As I begin to closeout 2010, I’m also doing a little catchup on blogging. Fall raced by, but with winter comes the slowdown months – which means, more time to blog all the wonderful sessions that I didn’t have time to blog before. Yay! Are you ready to meet Kristi + Arden? I put up a teaser picture on my Facebook Fan Page last month… hopefully it held your excitement for a few weeks!

Typically when I do a fall or winter engagement session, I can say to my clients, “Hey, it at least it will be warm on your wedding day!” because often, the wedding will be the following spring or summer when the temperature is warmer. Unfortunately, the fall weather was really chilly for Kristi + Arden’s engagement session… and it probably won’t be much warmer in February on their wedding day. But, a little cold weather never hurt anyone, right? :) I’m excited to capture their wedding – it’ll be the first one of the 2011 season and it’s bound to be a beautiful one!

Posted in Blog | Tagged engagement | 1 Comment

an autumn trip to colorado

jenn | December 19, 2010 - 11:01 pm

As the weddings wind down (one more for 2010!) and the cold weather sets in, I’m finding a little more space in my schedule. Yes, it sounds crazy to have more time as Christmas nears, but it’s true – rest is on the horizon! I’ve found that working for yourself doesn’t always allow for time off, but back in September, I did have the opportunity for a few days of vacation. My dear friend, Rachel and I flew out to Colorado for a long weekend to visit our other friend, Rori. Rori Jean moved to Boulder, CO last spring and when she left, we vowed we would have a ladies weekend come fall. Well, we put it on the calendar and kept our promise. The four days were filled with lots of laughter, amazing local foods, beautiful landscapes, fancy pedicures, magical mountain towns and too many memories to fit into one post. These two women are a couple of my best friends. They mean the world to me and it’s a joy and a blessing to have them in my life.

My dear friends, thank you for sharing life with me. I look forward to many, many more womens’ weekends to come.

Posted in Blog | Tagged personal | Leave a comment

bob + pamela + mary-claire + elizabeth + baby :)

jenn | December 17, 2010 - 12:11 am

Years ago, a couple of redheads named Sydney & Emma entered my life. At that time, they were my mom’s boss’ daughters, but over time they became some of my favorite kids to babysit and my dear little friends. I spent numerous hours at their house baking cookies or playing games or celebrating their birthdays. Eventually, I went off to college and my time spent with these girls were far and in between. But anytime I have the chance to see them or hang out with the family it’s still always a true delight. They will always have a special place in my heart :) Here’s a picture from last November at my wedding:

A couple weeks ago, I met two beautiful redheads who instantly reminded of Sydney & Emma. These little ones, Mary-Claire & Elizabeth were also a delight to spend time with and I felt like we had an instant bond. We played inside and even braved the chilly almost-winter air for some outside shots – they were troopers! These two girls and their parents are eagerly anticipating the final addition to their family – another baby girl – in February! Of course, we had to give their glowing momma the spotlight, too. Thanks for a fun morning, you guys!

Posted in Blog | Tagged children, family, maternity | 3 Comments

colin + jenn (+ winston!)

jenn | December 15, 2010 - 10:21 am

Have you ever met someone and wondered why you had never met them before? Either because they are pretty great and you click so well or you have a lot of mutual friends… or, both? I met Jenn under unfortunate circumstances… we were both in Detroit for a funeral. However, during our conversation, we found that we both lived in Grand Rapids and her and her husband formerly attended the church that Jonathan and I now attend. We didn’t just have one mutual friend, we had many! This small conversation lead to more coffee and conversation – except this time, on our side of the state.

Jenn is a fabulous massage therapist at Sapid Massage Studio in Wyoming, MI. Her in-home studio is cozy and comfortable…. I know, because I’ve visited… and I’m now a massage believer. Colin & Jenn have been married three years and love their “little” son, Winston… a Bull Mastiff lab mix (did I get that right??). It was a delight to hang out with them – oh, and snap a few pictures, too ;)

And then, we ended our session at Ellsworth Street ;)

Posted in Blog | 2 Comments

angela + lucas

jenn | December 11, 2010 - 6:40 pm

As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to learn that sometimes, friends come and go. I don’t say this to sound pessimistic, because I’m naturally an optimistic person. Life takes us on each of our own paths and sometimes jobs, schools, and families relocate us. As I have watched friends take new paths and start new journeys, I’ve learned that its a little bittersweet. There is excitement for the road ahead of them, but a twinge of sadness because of the knowledge that your relationship won’t be the same after that. Sometimes, only a phone call, letter or Facebook will keep your relationship together. Sometimes, though your paths cross again… like with Angela.

Angela was a dear friend from my middle school youthgroup days. Over the course of a couple years, we kindled a wonderful friendship. However, after middle school, her family moved to California. We kept in contact the best we could through high school with AIM & emails. Eventually, her college plans brought her back to Michigan where she met Lucas, fell in love and began to settle in the middle of the Mitten. We were still separated by a couple hours, but we vowed to hang out and have a double date as soon as possible. Fast forward to this past summer – Lucas proposed and Angela contacted me immediately to chat about wedding plans. I was THRILLED! Photographing friends is one of the greatest honors AND I would finally get to meet Lucas!

Well, that double date we vowed took place about a month ago. We spent the afternoon shooting their engagement pictures and then finished the evening with some mexican food @ Little Mexico Cafe in downtown Grand Rapids. It was a delight to reconnect with an old friend, meet her future husband and, of course, eat delicious food with friends :)