The pandemic has been a challenge for hundreds of reasons- and if you were planning to get married this year, you had an extra challenge. It seems like most weddings shrunk in size, added live streaming, or folks decided to try again in 2021.

​This weekend I had the pleasure of photographing an intimate wedding for Kalee and Terrence along Lake Michigan. They've been together since high school and I suspect they didn't want to wait any longer to start calling one another husband and wife!

The Airbnb they chose in Coloma for their reception had a glorious little meadow for their solo portraits and first look! It was a hot one but the shade kept things cool enough to snag all of these gems.

I didn't quite realize Covert Township Park existed until this wedding, and I'm so glad to know about it now! A short hike down to the water provided the best views for their intimate ceremony. Close family and friends were in attendance, and they live streamed the actual ceremony for everyone else. It was sweet to see beach goers pause to watch, and cheer as they processed back down the beach!

I spent a joyous session with this group of friends at Kalamazoo College's campus to celebrate their graduation! It sounds like most of them have been quarantined together over this spring and it was so sweet to see the obvious love they have for one another, even after being stuck together for months. That's real friendship right there.

How is it June already? I've been happily booking more family sessions now that the warmth and sunshine have finally arrived. We're focusing on sessions that take place outdoors where we can keep a good distance and still capture some special moments together. When it comes to choosing a location for photos I always recommend this:

If you have a kiddo under the age of two, sessions at home are your best friend. As long as you've got a sizable yard with trees and landscaping, you're all set. Otherwise, nature preserves, secluded beaches, and parks are open all around Southwest Michigan and exploring a new place together can make for the best candid shots of you and your family!

Yesterday I met up with a family at their home on Austin Lake in Portage, MI for some casual backyard family photos with their one year old babe. They sprawled out on a picnic blanket and played together for essentially the entire duration of the session and it worked out beautifully!

The sun was still fairly high in the sky as we wrapped up the session, but we managed to situate their family picnic in a little spot in the yard that let the light come in just right.

Family sessions start at $199 and each package comes with a small print credit for you to use in your personalized online gallery. Learn more and get a date on the calendar today for your family portraits!