Nolan + Emma | Glen Haven Engagement

It was all laughter with Nolan and Emma throughout their Glen Haven Engagement session.

From taking in the view from the old coast guard station and dancing down the sidewalks of the historic village to hiking the dunes and feeling like we were on top of the world, every minute with these Nolan and Emma was a blast. So thankful they were willing to climb the dunes, brave the wind, and trust the vision, because it ended up being the most stunning night on Lake Michigan.

We had met Emma a couple years prior as a bridesmaid for one our past couples. When she reached out about engagement photos, we were so happy to reunite with her and have the honor to photograph her own engagement season. Congratulations to these two!

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.

Gerrit + Abby | Engagement

Gerrit and Abby bring out the best versions of each other when they are together. The first time we met face to face was at their engagement session, yet it felt just like catching up with best friends. With their husky Worf in tow, we spent the evening exploring Port Oneida, learning more about their story, and laughing the deepest belly laughs ever. These two are magical together and it was such a special privilege to be able to capture their relationship on camera.

Glen Haven Engagement | Jake + Marina

Last summer, we met up with Jake and Marina in Glen Haven for their engagement session. They brought along their dog to join in on some of the fun—chasing them through the fields, getting up close and personal with the camera, and excitedly running along the Lake Michigan shoreline. We were laughing the whole night while we got to know the two of them and their story. As the sun set over Lake Michigan and the two of them drew into an even closer embrace, we felt so honored to be trusted to capture this part of their love story together.

Alex + Katherine | Glen Haven | Engagement

Alex and Katherine, both elementary school teachers, love taking every opportunity to escape away to Michigan during their summer breaks. Specifically camping at Sleeping Bear Dunes has been a special tradition for them every summer. Alex and Katherine describe themselves as ‘nature freaks’ and wanted to incorporate the outdoors in as many of their photos as possible—both for their engagement and their wedding! While their wedding was set at a beautiful vineyard venue in Suttons Bay, taking the trip out to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area for their engagement session was a perfect way to tie in their love for the area.

We got the chance to know them over a video call prior to their session and wedding where we immediately hit it off. We knew that being a part of their days would feel natural and exciting and couldn’t wait to document the two of them being adventurous and hilarious. We decided on an early spring day for their engagement session and Glen Haven proved to be a versatile location—with a little bit of woodsy, beach, and dunes to finish off the night. We spent the whole evening grinning from ear to ear just being in Alex and Katherine’s presence.

We are so happy for these two and loved being a part of their story!

Ben + Vina Engagement | Glen Haven Sand Dunes

It was an overcast and moody spring day when we met up with Ben and Vina for their engagement session in Glen Haven. Lake Michigan shone a pale greyish blue against the cloudy skies as we hiked the dunes. As we reached one of the peaks we could see the Lake below us—vast and calm. Behind us, rolling dunes and even further, a sea of evergreens and various other trees that were not yet fully leafed. It was quite the breathtaking view from every direction with Ben and Vina looking out and taking in the scene all around. The whole world was quiet and calm as it was not yet busy season for the Sleeping Bear Dunes—it felt like we had all of Glen Haven to ourselves. It was the perfect time to get to know Ben and Vina before their wedding day. By the end of the evening, we felt like we had made new friends and couldn’t wait to see them again for their wedding less than a month later.