on love & hallmark holidays

jenn | February 14, 2012 - 10:58 am

warning: i’m going to say the word “love” a lot in the next few sentences…

As a wedding photographer, it’s kind of important that I love, LOVE. I mean, if I’m going to spend your entire wedding day with you, celebrating YOUR love, and then do that every other weekend with other couples… I think I should be a fan of love. Fortunately, it’s true – I love, LOVE. Ask any one of my friends – it’s no secret. However, I know very well that love does not have to just be between couples. Love comes in all forms: between a parent and a child, between friends, between siblings, from strangers on the sidewalk, from volunteers at the soup kitchen, from the Creator to the created. It can be shared through a simple smile, an encouraging word or a small act of kindness. Anyone has the ability to love and be loved if you allow yourself the chance.

And THAT love, is why I photograph not only weddings, but families, kiddos, friends and travels. It’s about caring more deeply for those around us and celebrating those moments in life when you are so confident that love and goodness are real.

Today, is Valentines Day. Yes, it’s a Hallmark holiday, but it is also a day to celebrate love of all kinds. So, share some love with those around you – those you care about the most and those you might never talk to again. And when today is over, do it again tomorrow… ;)

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And, what post is complete without some images? You may have seen a preview of this session on my FACEBOOK page (if not, you should “like” it so you can stay up to date!). I will blog the full session tomorrow, but because little girls are so precious and the love between new parents and their child is so endearing… I had to share another preview today. Blog, meet Bryan, Katie and their sweet baby girl, Emerson:
LOVE this ‘Red Letter Words‘ sign that hangs in Emerson’s nursery. What a beautiful reminder for this little girl…

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mother + son

jenn | February 10, 2012 - 4:06 pm

Winter decided to show up in Michigan again… which really, is fine by me. Don’t get me wrong, I love the 40-degree, sunny weather we’ve been having. However, if its going to be winter, let me see some snow! Also, I have an engagement session this weekend in which we were hoping to have a snowy scenery. Thankfully, it looks like that’s going to happen – Yay!

Anyways, I’m spending my Friday drinking a delicious pot of Madcap coffee, catching up on editing and watching the snowfall out the front window. My “chill” playlist is keeping my company and I have no complaints!

Todays editing includes a few baby/family sessions I’m finishing up (’tis the season!). My approach to a baby session is to be calm, fun, flexible and unobtrusive. While I definitely spend some time on individual portraits of the baby, I love to capture parents interacting their little one. As I thumbed through images today, I couldn’t help but share these few frames from my second session with Adam. I love these sweet moments – what a beautiful momma and such a handsome, smiley boy!
Soon, I get to take a post-work snowy walk with my husband. Yes! HAPPY FRIDAY, EVERYONE!

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brendan + rachel – grand rapids, mi

jenn | February 7, 2012 - 6:42 pm

The last wedding of 2011 was one for the books.

Rachel was born a Michigan girl and Brendan, a California guy. When Rachel graduated from college almost three years ago, she headed out to the west coast for a job at a church. The pastor’s son was named Brendan. After about a year of being friends they started dating… and on one of the last days of 2011, they committed to forever with each other. These two individuals come from amazing families, they have wonderful friends and they truly adore each other. It was an honor to attend their wedding day and bear witness to an awesome celebration filled with so much love. This day was full of so many special moments and surprises… I caught myself laughing and crying multiple times.

One of my favorite things about weddings isn’t the details or the dress or the venues (though I do love all of those elements ;)), but I absolutely love it when couples are intentional with how they celebrate their love and their union and bring their personality into the day. Brendan + Rachel were very intentional with their celebration – from the ceremony to the reception – they made it special for them and for their loved ones.

Brendan + Rachel – thank-you for allowing me into your lives and to be a part of your wedding day. The love you two possess is unique, fun and endearing. I wish you both the best as you embark on this marriage journey!
Brendan + Rachel chose to do a “First Look” which easily allowed them to do a Friday evening ceremony and a reception immediately following.The ceremony was held as Cascade Fellowship CRC in Grand Rapids, MI…After they lit the unity candle, Brendan serenaded Rachel with a song he wrote for her. That was awesome.The reception was held at the Prince Conference Center on the campus of Calvin College.Then, the bridesmaids sang to the newlyweds… they wrote a song about Brendan + Rachel’s lovestory and put it to the tune of Jingle Bells!A toast to the bride + groom… And a toast from a husband to his wife…After the parent dances, it was time for one more “surprise”… a choreographed dance medley by Brendan + his Groomsmen. Best. Thing. Ever.

Curious about that Groom + Groomsmen dance? Wanna see a video of it?
Yes, you do. CLICK HERE to head over to youtube and watch it!!

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nicole + cliff

jenn | January 31, 2012 - 6:48 pm

After just a couple emails, I knew I couldn’t wait to meet Nicole. We quickly set up a coffee meeting to chat about plans for a May wedding. As we sat next to the fireplace at the cafe, Nicole shared all the details about the wedding venue and colors, DIY details and flowers… but more importantly, she told me all about Cliff – her fiance! Nicole glowed as she told me about their love and their adventures together and with each story, I couldn’t wait to meet him!

We made plans for a wintery engagement session. Since the date was set for mid-January, we were pretty convinced we would have a beautiful winter setting with perhaps a couple inches of snow, maybe some sun… maybe some flurries. Well, Michigan’s winter weather hasn’t been very normal this year, but we did have snow for the shoot! Despite the blizzard-like conditions, the three of us had a blast wandering around downtown Holland. I loved that we were even able to incorporate a few of their favorite pastimes into the session (thanks to Butch’s Drydock and Velo City Cycles!). Nicole and Cliff were so awesome and totally had great attitudes the whole time – it made for a very fun afternoon. As we ended the session, Cliff’s son, Cam, was able to stop by for a few fun portraits, as well! Check it out…

Nicole + Cliff love a good glass of wine… and Butch’s made for the perfect setting for a few pictures (and to warm up for a bit! :))
These two are avid cyclists… so we had to stop by Velo City Cycles for a bit!
Cam joined us for the last bit of the session… which was an absolute delight! He is hilarious!

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dan + sarah – grand rapids, mi

jenn | January 27, 2012 - 7:12 pm

I could feel the excitement and joy as I entered the church. Not only was it the day Sarah got to be the bride, but more importantly, it was also the day she was becoming Dan’s wife. Laughter filled the air and [happy] tears streamed down cheeks as everyone prepared for the union that was about to take place.

From the pastor’s message to the stories I heard from friends and family, to the few hours I was able to watch them interact – it was clearly evident that these two are meant for each other. Dan + Sarah possess a deep care, respect and love for one another and being a witness to this occasion was truly an honor.

Congratulations, you two! Many, many blessings on your marriage journey!
Sarah had two pairs of shoes for the day. The flats above for inside and these awesome boots for when she was outside! (perfect for our portrait time!)Sarah also had her ladies bring two pairs of footwear – brown boots for outside and black heels for inside. Again, very wonderful idea for keeping warm during outside portraits :)

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