It won't be long...

I had such a nice time getting to know Jennifer and Carl. They are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their sweet little guy who's name will be Connor. I cannot wait to meet him. J & C are going to make wonderful parents. Little Connor is so loved and I must say it makes me MORE than happy when I have a dad who is such a willing participant in a maternity session. I know it makes some guys so uncomfortable, but these two are so natural together and you just cant help but adore them. I felt very at ease with them and I know that gentleness will carry over to their little guy.

Jennifer and Carl, thank you so much for taking the time to document this time in your life. I am honored that you choose me to capture the beautiful relationship you two have and I can't tell you enough how excited I am to meet your little guy!

Stay tuned for Connor's session! COMING SOON!!!

Attention engaged brides!

Samantha

Isn't she beautiful? She was just as sweet too! Samantha is a Senior this year and keeps busy with Volleyball right now. We had a great time at Hidden Lake Gardens! Samantha was up for anything and had some great ideas of her own! I was SHOCKED to see how many leaves were on the ground and it was gorgeous!

Thanks Samantha for being such a great subject, you photograph just beautifully!

Lili

Well.... often new moms share birth stories as sort of a right of passage... sometimes our birth stories are amazing, sometimes just very beautiful, sometimes scary... but Lili's birth story... woah. I can't help but look at this sweet family and be thankful that they are all OK.

I only know this story from my cousin who referred this beautiful family, so I will let mom and dad (Mike and Jess) correct me if I get this wrong. Lili was born after her mom had a horrible car accident. Jess was 35 weeks pregnant and had been in the hospital a couple of times due to premature labor. Things were going along and she was doing her best to take it easy with a 2 year old and 5 year old at home... Jess rolled her car after loosing control and to make a long story short... ended up in the hospital with a broken neck and im sure lots of pain. The doctors knew they were going to have to do a lot of testing on Jess so they decided they would take baby Lili early or not.

Lili was born at a little over 6 lbs... thankfully! And didn't suffer any trauma from the accident. Her siblings were also just fine... praise GOD.

I had the opportuntity today to go over and get some shots of baby Lili and her siblings. Lili is doing great and mom is hanging in there. Jess has a broken neck and also a fractured vertebre.... can you imagine having a new baby a 2 and 5 year old and being stuck in a neck brace and soft halo... yeah it's gotta be tough, but seem to be doing very well despite the obvious tough stuff they are having to go through.

Lili, Parker, Emma, Jess, & Mike... I admire all of you for your courage and tenacity to endure the tough times you are going through right now. If there is anything we can do for you, please just let us know. Lili is absolutely wonderful! Enjoy your sneak peek!

NO way!

Ok so this little guy is the PERFECT example of why Bebe' Collection clients are so incredibliy close to my heart!

Just to refresh your memory... this is baby Weston! I know if you remember this little guy you will NOT believe it's the same baby!
That (pic above) was almost exactly 3 months ago. I know it's so easy to get distracted with life and not even realize that 3 months has gone by, but look at the difference! Weston is SUCH a sweet little guy... he seems so easy going and such a happy guy! I almost got tears in my eyes when I saw him this time because he had changed so much! I can't express how much of an honor it is for me to get to see these little ones go from all curly and new in the world and just a quick time later their little personalities are already starting to emerge. It truly is bittersweet. Ok I will quit getting all nostalgic on ya and get to the pictures already!
Ok so isn't he the most wonderful blue eyed chubby cheeked, toothless little guy?! I could seriously just about eat those cheeks... but I won't cause that would be weird... but you know the feeling ;-) Just LOVE all that baby chub!Weston and his adorable family.And we can't forget miss Ella. Her mommy asked me to get a shot of her with her fingers in her mouth... again bittersweet. They are trying to stop this sweet habit and im sure it won't be around forever... but again you gotta admit it is sweet. Those little baby moments are so fleeting!

Thank you V family for another opportunity to capture your wonderful family! Enjoy!

I also need to give a big shout out to my graphic designer Jess Banister @ Image That! She does a phenomenal job with graphic design. I asked her to make me a "stamp" of my logo, for watermarking my photos and I love how it looks... FINALLY!!! If any of you need any graphic design, logos, layouts, templates... you name it... Jess is your girl! Thank you Jess!!!

The time of my life...

It's not something that comes with effort, it's not something that you get to witness just any old time... but it IS something unique and real.

When I thought about how I would describe the wedding of John and Ginger the first word that came to my mind was... REAL. What the heck do I mean by real... don't all of us experience real love. Well, yes... however... what I see in John and Gingers love for each other is a perfect example of a love that compliments each other. It was BEAUTIFUL to watch them at their big day and it was so seamless.

If you know Ginger you know that she ate, slept, and breathed planning that wedding day. It meant THAT much to both of them. My biggest worry of the day was that I was going to be working with a bride who wouldn't be able to truly enjoy her day. I knew/know in my heart of hearts how badly she wanted that day to be so special and a true representation of the love that they share. They wanted to share it with those they love. And share they did! I think if you were a guest that day you likely got the same feeling. And just for the record... I was SO off... Ginger was NOT the bride who couldn't enjoy her day... she was quite the opposite... totally immersed in the day and so thrilled to watch it all unfold... the permagrin was the evidence. ;-) And John... he's the more reserved type, which I think is why they compliment each other so perfectly... but it was obvious that every time she was near... he was in his glory! John did vows and a family medallion ceremony to Morgan... there was NOT a dry eye in the church.At the reception when the glasses get tapped, I often see couples who are like... "ugh, not again... im trying to eat".... not these two. I think they truly enjoyed the tapping bringing them back together each time! I love that they are so crazy about each other... but the neatest part is... it's not a young lust type of love for each other... its the true mature, selfless, kind, and lasting love... SO special for me to capture... This photographer's dream! Isn't love grand?

Ginger had several surpises up her sleeve. The biggest one... I have no idea how she was able to keep it from John, but she had TWO wedding dresses! How fun. They did a beautiful slide show for their guests that I know they both worked their butts off to pull that off! I love her face in this shot... shes all... haha look at me I pulled it off and he never had a clue!

They celebrated their beautiful day at the Historical Park at Greenmeade in Livonia. The grounds were perfect for some great post ceremony shots... they happily obliged me... I knew Ginger wouldnt mind, but John was a total trooper! And again just for the record... Ginger says the light was "yummy" for the pictures! LOL I think she has been doing her homework!

I honestly could go on and on about how wonderful this whole wedding was... but I won't... Ill just let the pictures do the talking!

John and Ginger... I can't thank you enough for being the dream couple in every way. I truly feel honored that you allowed me to document your day and embraced me as part of your family and friends. I wish you all a lifetime of happiness and look forward to watching what the future holds for both of you!

Ginger and her gorgeous daughter Morgan. The connection they share is nothing short of beautiful.
This cake was amazing!!!

Collage!

Just a quick sample of a new collage 20x24 that I am now offering! Great cost effective way to display several of your photos in one print!

Fun new site!

I am always on the lookout for fun unique outfits. My mom somehow recently came across this site and I wanted to be sure you all had the opportunity to check it out!

Jillie Willie <--------- Just click on that link!

I often have parents ask me how they should all dress for their session and sometimes simple is best, but sometimes UNIQUE and FUN are completely appropriate as well! I will add this to the side bar for links so you can access it anytime!

Enjoy!

Newborn announcements

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It's been a great year for babies around here. I would love to be able to say that newborn sessions are my favorite... and they are... however every session is my favorite, BUT... newborn sessions, NEVER get old!

There is always something so magical about a tiny newborn with wrinkly skin, curly legs, that lovely baby smell, and so innocent. I have been doing newborn announcements however really havent taken the time to share too many of them, so I figured I would take this opportunity.

Those you considering maternity and/or newborn sessions, don't forget to ask about these affordable announcements to honor your special little one!

Olivia

You might remember these beautiful eyes if you remember back to our contest! Olivia was the first place winner in "The Eyes" Contest and she surely didn't disappoint with her eyes!

I had a wonderful time doing Olivia's session this past weekend. She had the BEST outfits that her grandma MADE for her... AMAZING work and the patterns and fabrics couldn't have been better. Doesn't everyone wish they had a grandma to make great things like this for them?!

Olivia was a champ through her session. My 12 year old daughter Kenedey occasionally comes on sessions with me and is a HUGE help.... all those times when she isn't with me and I find myself saying, I wish I had 4 hands... well she makes that possible. I really didn't have to work hard for these great smiles, most of them were courtesy of Kenedey... and then there was the frown pics... yeah we had nothing to do with that... that was all Olivia's dad Travis... he said something that made her sad... but this pic is one of my faves so kudos Travis! Good work! Even if you did have to make your daughter sad!

Jason (my husband) and I went to school with Travis and Libby (Olivia's parents). This is like the 5th friend from High School's child that I have had the opportunity to do photo sessions for. It has been so neat for me to get to see these people with their families/kids.

Olivia thank you for sharing your pretty eyes... never forget, "Daddy DOES wear diapers" ;-)