Glen Haven Engagement | Mathieu + Madalyn

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

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

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.

Sam + Mimi | Proposal at The Mill

From the very moment that Sam called us to share his proposal vision, we were fully invested.

He shared all about their love for Northern Michigan and specifically his dream of proposing at The Mill in Glen Arbor. They would celebrate afterward with dinner at Farm Club. Sam made the plan to take Mimi up North for the weekend and the scene was set (thanks to the wonderful team at The Mill) with flowers and candles on the deck overlooking the river. Here, he surprised her with the sweetest proposal followed by the coziest engagement photos both inside and outside the cafe.

These photos from last year transport us right back to those joyful moments. The sound of the river, the smell of fresh brewed coffee, and the glow of the sunlight pouring through the windows. Sam and Mimi instantly felt like friends and they were so easy to celebrate. It was such an honor to have witnessed and documented this milestone in their lives.

Tom + Jenn | In-Home Maternity and family

It’s always a special opportunity when we have the chance to capture different milestones for our couples. It really feels like we get to be a part of their story, and what an honor that is. Tom and Jenn invited us into their home twice last winter. The first for some intimate and cozy maternity photos—to celebrate this life stage and exciting journey of parenthood they were about to embark on. And the second time came with the happy news of the birth of their daughter. We got to cheer them on and meet their perfect baby girl for their first ever family portraits. In this blogpost, we’ve combined both sessions to honor both the anticipation that comes with pregnancy and the newness that comes with birth. Congratulations Tom and Jenn, we can’t wait to see how your story further unfolds and capture your family as it grows.

Summer Portraits | Ben and Joanna

We’ve had the wonderful honor of photographing our dear friends on many different occasions. From their engagement photos, to their wedding, to couple portraits and beyond, it is always the best time with Ben and Joanna. This day late last summer was one of those days when the sunshine was golden and hazy and the very first glimpses of Fall could be seen in certain tree leaves. As we always do when we are with Ben and Joanna, we spent the evening in laughter and conversation. We went home with full hearts and bellies (after an impromptu post-session Qdoba double date), reflecting on our friendship with them and all the wonderful milestones we’ve had the privilege of celebrating with them so far and all that’s yet to come.

Photographed by Miles + Sarah

Digital + Film Photography