Dane + Erin | Traverse City Engagement
Just a few days before their wedding, we met Dane and Erin face to face for the very first time. I remember thinking throughout their engagement session how peaceful and calm they seemed with their wedding less than a week away. But that’s the thing about Dane and Erin; they are so authentically themselves. They know what is important to them and what they care about, so naturally all of the other details just fall into place.
Just a few days before their wedding, we met Dane and Erin face to face for the very first time. I remember thinking throughout their engagement session how peaceful and calm they seemed with their wedding less than a week away. But that’s the thing about Dane and Erin; they are so authentically themselves. They know what is important to them and what they care about, so naturally all of the other details just fall into place.
It was a beautiful evening at the end of July, wildflower fields aglow in golden summer light, when we met Dane and Erin at Maple Bay Natural Area. We frolicked (no, literally) through fields as birds flew overhead, the two of them simply delighting in each other’s company. As they night wore on and the sun began to sink in the sky, we wandered the path through the thick wood that eventually opened to the beach. It was here underneath the moon and to the song of the seagulls that we watched the sunset with these two and looked with eager anticipation to their wedding only three days away.
Zach + Wendy | Maple Bay Engagement
It’s no surprise that Northern Michigan holds a special place in the hearts of many. For Zach and Wendy, Traverse City marked their very first trip together as a couple and it was a no brainer for them to have portraits in such a meaningful area. To celebrate their engagement, we explored Maple Bay Natural area, documenting on both digital and film as they traipsed through wildflower fields, popped champagne on the beach, and danced along the shoreline while the sun set.
It’s no surprise that Northern Michigan holds a special place in the hearts of many. For Zach and Wendy, Traverse City marked their very first trip together as a couple and it was a no brainer for them to have portraits in such a meaningful area. To celebrate their engagement, we explored Maple Bay Natural area, documenting on both digital and film as they traipsed through wildflower fields, popped champagne on the beach, and danced along the shoreline while the sun set. It was a joy to witness the kind of love these two shared—clearly smitten with each other and giddy to be together.
Jason + Sarah | Timberlee Hills Wedding
I have never seen a bride smile so much as Sarah did on her wedding day. We knew that if their engagement session the Fall prior was any indication, there would be lots of laughter. But nothing could have prepared us for the radiant joy which shone through both Jason and Sarah throughout their wedding day.
I have never seen a bride smile so much as Sarah did on her wedding day. We knew that if their engagement session the Fall prior was any indication, there would be lots of laughter. But nothing could have prepared us for the radiant joy which shone through both Jason and Sarah throughout their wedding day.
Intentional details and memorable moments between guests (see the grandmothers showing up in matching fits!) were some of the highlights from Jason and Sarah’s day. But the true heart was how they showed up so fully for each other and their guests. From being hyped up by their respective bridal parties to a first look to calm all the nerves, Jason and Sarah were grounded and present through every moment. Their wedding day is a beautiful testament to how things turns out when your focus is on the experience and savoring every single precious moment rather than perfection.
Photographed by Miles + Sarah
Venue | Timberlee Hills
Officiant | Lisa Hall w/ Brooks Wedding Ceremonies
Catering | Uptown Catering
Dessert + Cake | Water’s Edge Sweet Tooth
Bridal Bouquet | Sweetwater Floral
Floral Arch | The Wise Bride
DJ | 231 Entertainment
Hair + Make-up | Primp Beauty
Bride’s Dress | Bliss Bridal
Bridesmaids’ Dresses | Azazie
Mens’ Suits | Mens Wearhouse
Jewelry | Saginaw Gold & Clean Origin
Dan and Lauren | Engagement
Sitting here in the middle of a winter storm, our minds are miles away dreaming about spring and summer, and all that inevitably comes with it. Golden sunshine and late sunsets, butterflies and blooming wildflower fields, our feet in the sand as waves meet the shore.
Sitting here in the middle of a winter storm, our minds are miles away dreaming about spring and summer, and all that inevitably comes with it. Golden sunshine and late sunsets, butterflies and blooming wildflower fields, our feet in the sand as waves meet the shore.
Dan and Lauren picked the perfect summer evening for their engagement photos at Maple Bay. Shot on a variety of digital and film, these photos tell a piece of their story that we are so honored to have been a part of. We get to celebrate them for their wedding later this year and we are counting down the days.
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.
