Luke and Alayna | Traverse City Wedding
The energy on the dance floor was electric—people were doing backflips (!!!) and pulling out all kinds of crazy moves. But in the midst of it all we were struck by the community, friends supporting one another, holding each other up (literally), laughing, hugging, and dancing nonstop til the end of the night.
At the end of the night everyone came together—bridal party, parents, cousins, friends—to dance with Luke and Alayna for one last song before sending them off.
On the way to the ceremony I asked Alayna what she was looking forward to most. She responded with two things:
1. Marrying Luke of course
2. Open dancing at the reception
Knowing this, I had so much anticipation going into the reception. And let me just say, this dance floor was one for the books: Luke and Alayna’s guests showed up big time.
The energy on the dance floor was electric—people were doing backflips (!!!) and pulling out all kinds of crazy moves. But in the midst of it all we were struck by the community, friends supporting one another, holding each other up (literally), laughing, hugging, and dancing nonstop til the end of the night.
At the end of the night everyone came together—bridal party, parents, cousins, friends—to dance with Luke and Alayna for one last song before sending them off.
Franke Family | Glen Haven Portraits
The thing about family portraits is they don’t have to be fussy.
Come as you are—in the trenches of parenthood, perhaps sleepless nights, or a teething baby. We’ll create beautiful portraits no matter what season of life you are in.
As parents ourselves we can attest that it truly flies by—both the good and the hard—all of it flies by.
So take these moments, slow down, let yourself breath, and document this stage you are in currently because years later, you will look back at the photos and think ‘was my baby really ever that tiny’?
The thing about family portraits is they don’t have to be fussy.
Come as you are—in the trenches of parenthood, perhaps sleepless nights, or a teething baby. We’ll create beautiful portraits no matter what season of life you are in.
As parents ourselves we can attest that it truly flies by—both the good and the hard—all of it flies by.
So take these moments, slow down, let yourself breath, and document this stage you are in currently because years later, you will look back at the photos and think ‘was my baby really ever that tiny’?
You’ll notice your tired eyes with a full and happy heart because this is your story, your family, and you should be photographed in a way that feels true and honest and beautiful all at the same time.
We met the Franke Family out at Glen Haven for their family portraits. It was our first time meeting their beautiful baby girl, but we had previously the lovely honor of photographing Joel and Emily with their dog for both their engagement session and their wedding. To witness and share in another piece of their story was a true honor. To create heirloom photos that they will cherish and show their daughter as she grows up, it’s a unique privilege that we are proud to be a part of. We took an hour, traipsed around the sand, by the water, and up the dunes documenting the sweet and the simple yet intimately meaningful moments as a family.
Leo + Maya Wedding | Traverse City
Leo and Maya’s wedding day was so full of joy, color, and vibrancy. These two were intentional about every detail of their day, from a private ‘first touch’ in front of the church, to carving out space after the ceremony to slow down for portraits just the two of them beside the stained glass windows. We left with the fullest of hearts, so thankful to be invited into such special occasions such as these.
Leo and Maya’s wedding day was so full of joy, color, and vibrancy. These two were intentional about every detail of their day, from a private ‘first touch’ in front of the church, to carving out space after the ceremony to slow down for portraits just the two of them beside the stained glass windows. Colorful candles burned slowly during the night through emotional toasts, shared laughter, and a dance floor that was never not packed. Leo and Maya’s people sure do know how to celebrate them. As the night ended and Maya sent me home with some extra floral centerpieces, we left with the fullest of hearts, so thankful to be invited into such special occasions such as these.
Photographed by Miles + Sarah
Venue | Twin Lakes Park
Florals | Bride + Family
Catering | Family
Hair | Grace
Bridesmaids Dresses | Azazie
Mens Suits | Mens Wearhouse
Glen Haven Engagement | Mathieu + Madalyn
A serene evening out on Lake Michigan. What more could you ask for? As we explored Glen Haven together, feeling the sand beneath our feet, watching the sun filter through the trees, and hiking the dunes as the moon rose, we dove into their love story and learned more about them as a couple. These two are so comfortable and at ease together, like they were always meant to be, which of course made photographing them ridiculously easy.
A serene evening out on Lake Michigan. What more could you ask for?
We love engagement sessions for so many reasons. Oftentimes it’s our only chance to meet our couples face to face prior to their wedding day. Such was the case with Matt and Maddie so we chatted for a bit in the parking lot behind the old red Glen Haven Canning Co. building before jumping into photos.
The initial ‘hi, how are you’ turned quickly into laughing together and inside jokes that would come up later between us all on their wedding day. As we explored Glen Haven together, feeling the sand beneath our feet, watching the sun filter through the trees, and hiking the dunes as the moon rose, we dove into their love story and learned more about them as a couple. These two are so comfortable and at ease together, like they were always meant to be, which of course made photographing them ridiculously easy.
Hannah and Zorran | Five Year anniversary
Bathed in the golden sunlight of late spring, we met them first for a couple family photos with their new baby boy before leaving him the loving and caring arms of his grandma. Then with just the two of them, we explored some nearby trails as the sun came out and painted the clouds purple at sunset.
Zorran reached out to surprise Hannah with a couples session for their five year anniversary. Bathed in the golden sunlight of late spring, we met them first for a couple family photos with their new baby boy before leaving him the loving and caring arms of his grandma. Then with just the two of them, we explored some nearby trails as the sun came out and painted the clouds purple at sunset. It’s the second year in a row we’ve done anniversary photos for Zorran and Hannah (check out last year’s blogpost here), and we definitely hope it becomes a tradition, because it is always such an honor to photograph these two and their love.
Foggy Senior Portraits | Zoe
When we reached out to Zoe about the rainy forecast she simply told us that she trusted us and she didn’t mind getting rained on a little bit. So we packed up our umbrellas and headed out to Port Oneida where we were met with the most moody and romantic foggy weather.
Northern Michigan weather is notorious for being unpredictable. But oh how magical it can be when we learn to embrace it.
When we reached out to Zoe about the rainy forecast she simply told us that she trusted us and she didn’t mind getting rained on a little bit. So we packed up our umbrellas and headed out to Port Oneida where we were met with the most moody and romantic foggy weather. The sun came out for a bit between the layers of fog, then sulked away for a few minutes of rain, peeked back out again, and then created the most gorgeous pink hue behind the clouds at sunset. The fog was so thick that the sky and the water blended into one as Zoe stood along the shore, gazing out at the horizon.
