Graduations this year, like most significant life events, have felt a bit different. We've needed to come up with creative ways to celebrate and/or acknowledge the big things going on while this pandemic casually rages on. Jess scheduled a personal portrait session to mark her momentous occasion! Earning a doctorate is no small feat, and I'm so grateful she asked me to do these for her. We were going for strong / smart / powerful / independent and I think she nailed it. ![]()
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Paw Paw Prairie Fen Preserve in Mattawan and is *quite* the gem, and possibly my new favorite family photography spot in the area! You can walk deep into the preserve and come across a variety of landscapes, though this whole session took place just in the first little section of trail. This sweet family came out to explore the preserve for a morning of family fun. This land is protected by The Nature Conservancy and was apparently originally slated for a housing development! The development company began landscaping for a neighborhood when The Nature Conservancy was alerted to rare wetland communities at the site and began negotiations for acquiring the land. I, for one, am *so* glad they did. I highly recommend checking these trails out if you live in the Kalamazoo area!
My favorite beach for photography sessions in the St. Joseph, Michigan area is Rocky Gap Park. It's small, and not usually busy even on a beautiful day. Monday was a *hot* one, even still at 8pm! Thankfully, this extended family with five young boys didn't seem to mind one bit.
Sarah and Brian were champs in the heat with their little one Maura last week! We found some shade trees at Imerman Memorial Park in Saginaw, Michigan and captured some sweet moments despite the heat. Maura is four months old and possibly the *chillest* babe I have ever met. Sarah's long-time friends Lisa and Brenna got her this family photo session for her first Mother's Day this spring. I'd say as far as gifts go, this is a *beautiful* choice. :)
On June 27th, Emily and Caleb enjoyed a sweet backyard wedding at her family home in Grand Junction. In a classic “it-takes-a-village-to-host-a-wedding-during-a-pandemic” move, their neighbors and close family friends offered up their yard for the actual ceremony. Toss in some tents, string lights, and floral arches and you’ve got some magical woodland wedding vibes for one memorable day. In a sweet surprise, the bride and groom even conspired with the father of the bride to surprise her mom with a vow renewal ceremony!
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Written ByErin Decker (formerly Erin Denay), Photographer based in Kalamazoo, MI Archives
February 2025
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