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.

Matt + Lynden Engagement | Glen Haven

We met up with Matt and Lynden in early spring for their engagement session in Glen Haven. They brought their sweet pup along for the adventure and we spent some time wandering around the area, admiring the views, and finally ending on the beach. It was a short but very sweet engagement session as we focused mainly on candids of them interacting and playing with their dog on the beach. As the sun sank lower toward the horizon, Matt and Lynden shared with us all their exciting plans for their upcoming wedding later that year. Spending an evening getting to know a couple at their engagement session makes photographing them again on their wedding day all the more special.

2022 Behind the Scenes

Whether we are testing the lighting or simply capturing a silly moment of the other person, we can always count on several behind the scenes photos per wedding or session. And while we usually take these out of the final galleries before we deliver them, we thought it would be fun to put together a blogpost containing some of our favorites from the year.

2022 was a busy year full of beautiful weddings, engagements, seniors, and family portraits. We had the opportunity to travel to some of the most stunning locations around Northern Michigan whether we were photographing at a well-known wedding venue, or meeting a family for portraits at their private lake front property. Throughout most of the season, Sarah was sporting a baby bump while pregnant with our son—our second child. He was finally born in November, after the end of our wedding season.

We hope you enjoy some of these behind the scenes moments!

Matt + Rachael | Jacob’s Farm | October Wedding

We became quick friends with Matt and Rachael after spending a day with them in Ann Arbor for their engagement photos. We adventured together through Nichols Arboretum and they gave us many restaurant and coffee shop recommendations to try while we were there. It was special to capture them in the city where they lived for their engagement session, knowing they would be traveling up for their wedding the following year in Traverse City. When they two of them first met, they realized that both of their grandparents had cottages in Northern Michigan, within 30 minutes of each other. Being such a special area to them, they just knew they wanted to get married up North.

Jacob’s Farm was the perfect setting for their October wedding. Hints of Fall were beginning to show through the few trees that’s leaves were just starting to turn. Nestled in the woods under a canopy of trees, Matt and Rachael’s guests eagerly awaited the start of their wedding ceremony. Matt’s reaction to his beautiful bride walking down the aisle had all of us in tears. After they were pronounced husband and wife, Matt and Rachael were showered in lavender buds by their friends and family.

Later in the evening, we escaped with the happy couple to admire the sunset casting a golden glow across the entire venue. Their guests welcomed them back into the reception with a sparkler re-entrance and the two of them spent the rest of the night on the dance floor with their loved ones.

It was such a joyous celebration and we feel so honored to have photographed the love between these two. Congratulations Matt and Rachael!

Photographed by Miles and Sarah

Venue | Jacob’s Farm

Wedding Coordinator | Jeremy Smith - Jacob’s Farm

Caterer | Steven Przedwojewski - Jacob’s Farm

Videographer | Chris Kaufmann

Cake Artist | Nancy Collard - Top Tier Cakery

DJ | Isaiah Nelson - 2Bays DJs

Invitations | Sincerely, Enza

Hair and Makeup Artist | MI Day Beauty

Wedding Dress | The Brides Project, Ann Arbor

Bridesmaid Dresses | Azazie

Men’s Suits | Jos. A Banks

Florist | Samantha Hendrickson - Protea Rising

Tim + Jenna | Traverse City Wedding

“Tim and I are just goofy. We love to banter and tease each other, and just have fun every day.”

From the initial email, to a video chat that showed their goofy side, to their wedding day full of laughter and fun, this statement from Jenna perfectly describes her and Tim’s relationship.

As we arrived to the Delamar hotel, thick clouds rolled over the bay and it began to sprinkle. But no amount of rain could hinder these two from having the time of their lives on their wedding day. We had the lovely opportunity to work with Chelsea from Grateful Gatherings who did an amazing job pivoting timings and events to work with the inclement weather. The rain let up into a very gentle sprinkle just in time for a few portraits outside the hotel overlooking the bay view. Tim and Jenna then rejoined their guests in their beautifully decorated reception hall for a myriad of surprises throughout the night. From a throwback slideshow during speeches, to a flash mob dedicated to Jenna, the evening was anything but uneventful. Happy guests even pulled us into the dance floor to join them as Bluewater Kings Band performed. After spending most of the night on the dance floor, Tim and Jenna snuck away for a few peaceful moments on the patio where they slow danced under the glow of the string lights.

Tim and Jenna, thank you for inviting us into such a fun and beautiful day to celebrate your love!

Photographed by Miles + Sarah

Venue and Caterer | Delamar Hotel

Event Design and Planning | Grateful Gatherings - Chelsea Sophiea

Videographer | Montage Media Films

Band | Bluewater Kings Band

Hair and Makeup | Epiphany Salon

Wedding Dress | The Dress Shop

Suits | Brooks Brothers

Florist | Forget Me Not

Rings | Tiffany & Co