have a lazy day...

i hope everyone enjoys an extra long weekend..i have a wedding tomorrow, a photo shoot on sunday and then i am going to have a lazy day with my husband on monday. so if you e-mail me over the weekend i will return your messages on tuesday.

delights...

alicia bock is an artist that always inspires me...she just posted these new number postcards on her etsy store. oh what do i love most...the vintage image, the rounded corners, thinking of which friend i could mail this delightful little note to???

grand rapids bridal show...

come meet me at this year's Grand Rapids Wedding Affair...it's my first bridal show and i'm looking forward to meeting lots of new friends! it should be a delightful evening...

amanda & brian...

"lovers must not, like usurers, live for themselves alone. they must finally turn from their gaze at one another back toward the community. if they had only themselves to consider, lovers would not need to marry, but they must think of others and of other things. they say their vows to the community as much as to one another, and the community gathers around them to hear and to wish them well, on their behalf and its own. it gathers around them because it understands how necessary, how joyful, and how fearful this joining is." wendell berry

i am so endeared to this couple...from the first moment we met i was so drawn to their sincerity and depth. after a little last minute change in the wedding date due to a job opportunity i was so delighted that i was able to be present to their celebration.

i know that my pictures can't fully express the intimate, playful, emotional, and authentic spirit of the day. it was an honest celebration...not everything was primmed and polished. but what was beautiful were the hearts of these two amazing people. i have never heard a couple speak their vows with such conviction. and what was true throughout this whole day was how they delighted and honored the community around them. as reflected in the passage from wendell berry that they included in their program, they testified that their relationship is stregthened by the presence of their family and friends.

i walked away from this day inspired to be more for my husband, my family, my friends. thank you amanda and brian for the honor...

maybe my all time favorite...

i called her my anthroplogie bride...

the reception at her parents home had a field of sunflowers...delight!

okay i love this picture...amanda's dad is a serious hunter. this is only a small section of the trophey room...and amanda had at least one up there.

i love running into past couples...i captured ryan and sarah's wedding last summer and they were kind enough to recommend me to amanda and brian. happy anniversary friends!

and a big thanks to my friend sam for second shooting with me...it was a delight!

hannah {senior}

have i mentioned how much i love senior sessions? i met hannah through her big sister, jackie who's wedding i shot a couple of years ago. now hannah is looking ahead to her future, with dreams of pursuing the graphic arts.

we spent a delightful summer evening shooting around downtown rockford and found so many fun spots. hannah worked it out and i think her sweet spirit really shined!

hannah i know that God will bless the road ahead of you!

{welcome} baby eli...

it's such a joy to watch my friends receive a blessing like a new baby...and what a delight when jay and kristin asked if i would be interested in taking some pictures of their growing family!

their lives are full and rich with a curious and active two year old, a sweet baby boy, a new job, and hopefully soon a new place to call home...so thankful to call you friends!

enjoy some favs...

LOVE IT!

you got to wonder what this little one is thinking...

welcome to the world eli...

ashley & mike...part two

The connection between Ashley and Mike is so sweet...Mike actually started off as Ashley's brother's friend. It was an interesting conversation when Mike asked Rory if he could date his baby sister...So it was fitting that Rory stood up as Ashley's "man of honor". Mike's brother was his best man and they kept each other laughing all night long.

Now Ashley and Mike are starting a new life in Iowa as Mike pursues his dream job of guiding hunting trips. It's a big change for them both, far from family, but they are so supportive of each other you sense it will only strengthen their relationship.

Rory is the quintessential big brother...he's protective, teases Ashley, but really adores her!

A favorite moment...Rory dancing with Grandma

Thank you so much Ashley and Mike...It was such a delight!