2014 Holiday Mini Sessions - Brooklyn, MI

Well, the time has come again to schedule Holiday Photo Sessions! It has been a crazy busy Fall Season around here! Where does time go?!

So here are the details! I have decided to not do Santa Days this year. My hope is to keep things new, different, and fun. I may offer Santa Days again someday, but this year, we are changing things up and taking it outside to the Christmas Tree Farm!

Sessions will be held at Arend Tree Farms (in Brooklyn, MI). It is a beautiful tree farm and they have opened their arms wide to us using their land! The address to the farm is: 12101 Monroe Pike Brooklyn, MI (very close to MIS Speedway).

It's pretty likely that it will be very cold outside. We will try to position our location within the tree farm to block as much wind as possible. Many Families have asked if this setting will be appropriate for all ages/families. The answer is ABSOLUTELY! I will have  few props geared towards the littles, but that is more to just keep them involved and interested in the session. This setting is simple, outdoors, and just beautiful all by itself. I am planning to have a few props available to use, but will hold that as a surprise! Color ideas for wardrobe... Navys, reds, creams, burgundys, denim... anything that fits well with a tree farm setting! Do not hesitate to bundle up in cute coats, winter accessories, scarves, boots, etc! Think texture, patterns, and maybe a solid color here or there.

If it rains or the weather is just unbelievably uncomfortable, we will reschedule as we can with the Tree Farm. However, I am using the power of positive thinking and hoping we can just make it work perfectly! Its always a risk to do anything outside this time of year, but I truly think this will be worth it!

These Mini Sessions include 5-8 digital images for download and copyright release as soon as they are available for you to view online. You will have the option to purchase prints for a discounted price from the website as well. But you will own the copyright to do what you like with the final images. Payment is due upon scheduling to secure your date and time. All sessions are $85 (includes the sessions and the 5-8 digital images with copyright release).

As always, if you have any questions regarding the session, I am always here to help!

I look forward to another successful Holiday Season with you all! Cannot wait to see you soon!

Hugs, Kari

Sullivan Michael Clark - Jackson, MI Birth Photographer

So I truly had no idea that some of my clients actually stop by this blog... I used to be SO good at blogging. Then, I started to feel like it took so much time, I am a terrible writer (AND proof reader)... and I just figured I should be prioritizing getting editing done!

Well low and behold, a couple people have recently mentioned they DO in fact check my blog now and then... maybe blogging should come back? I have some thoughts on all of that, but Ill check back and blog again another day (Hopefully soon).

In the meantime, I wanted to share the birth of Sullivan! This was a QUICK birth which I seriously almost missed completely. Ryan & Jade (Sully's Daddy and Momma) were wedding clients of mine and I have gotten to know them quite well over the past few years. They are a WONDERFUL couple. Jade loves photography and even dabbles in it a bit! She's a talented gal!

Jade knew even before she was pregnant for Sullivan that she definitely wanted birth story images. I am SO glad it worked out! IT was almost too perfect ;)

I was in touch with Jade all morning via text, while I waited from home to hear when I should head up to the hospital. I don't mind waiting for births at the hospital, but I also hate to be in the way or take away from the experience as it should unfold. Being a fly on the wall is more my style most of the time!

So things changed quickly for Jade after a slow morning of progress. She asked me at one point to wait an hour and then head in... I then got a text from someone (probably her mom or Ryan) asking me how far out I was because she was going to start pushing. I was at that point about 5 miles out from the hospital... UGH. I was so anxious and tried to drive as quickly as I could to get there, fly into the parking garage... remember to grab by camera and make a mad dash up to the 4th floor! Well... as I arrived at her door, I knocked (ugh oh, completely shut door) and a nurse peeked her head out and swished me in... within just about 3 minutes... maybe 3 pushes, this BEAUTIFUL baby BOY made his appearance! Jade was one of those moms we can all envy because she made that tough job look like it was so freaking easy!!! Kinda like those olympic runners... how do they make that look so  easy?!!! Ryan was exactly how I would have anticipated... stoic, calm, and just wonderful! :)

Sullivan was perfect, impressed all of the nurses with his content nature as everyone commented on how similar he looks to his big sister Lily!

It was a beautiful birth... please enjoy! Thank you Jade & Ryan for allowing me to share in such a special time with you all. Always an honor to be with your adorable family!

Mr. & Mrs. Brian Cooper! - Clark Lake, MI Wedding Photographer

Wow. What a wedding! Brian & Katie... I can barely put into words a summary of such a special, fun, exciting, and memorable day this was.

I have to start with a little back story of how all of this came together. It just wouldn't be the same without the fun perspectives on this wonderful couple! I met Brian when his son, Cash, was just about 4 months old. I have had the honor every year since then of photographing and getting to know and watch Cash grow. If you know anything about me, you know the kids I get to photograph as they grow... they have a VERY special place in my heart. You cannot know Cash without knowing what a great kid he really is. The part that's really special, is the relationship he and his dad (Brian) share. The best analogy I can give you is... they are each others wing man! On this wedding day, Cash got to stand beside his Dad and be the Best Man! Such a wonderful sight to see.

I will never forget when Brian called me the day after his first date with Katie (I think the call was a question about a recent photo session of him and Cash) and during that call, he mentioned that previous night he had met a really amazing girl. :) After having the opportunity to watch Brian date (and maybe even try to play matchmaker for him and someone I knew ;) for a few years, he just had very different things to say about this date! He was SO excited... he may have even said... "she is definitely someone I can see myself with forever"! I never once second guessed what Brian was saying because I knew enough about him to know that he wouldn't say something like that if he didn't mean it!

Well... fast forward many months of watching Brian and Katie develop a GREAT relationship. Watching her push him in entirely unique ways to be a better man and also watching him learn to love her like she is his #1... it just couldn't be a better fit!

Brian and Katie's wedding day was filled with SO many surprises! They both had some fun things in store for the other:

Brian wrote on Katie's shoes, and Katie had Brian's grandfathers wedding ring attached to his boutonniere :)

 Those pieces of material are all pieces of Katie's 3 sisters wedding dresses with their wedding dates on them.

The wedding took place at Hill Top Manor Inn, in Clark Lake, MI. The barn, beautiful grounds, and farm house for the girls to get ready in, was a perfect reflection of their closeness of their friends and family.

They were married by their good friend and pastor J-Vo from Westwinds Community Church. Their vows their wrote to each other, left it tough to hold back the emotions for everyone there. :)

 And this wedding crew... definitely one of a kind! So fun!

 The BIGGEST secret and surprise of the day (which Katie was COMPLETELY CLUELESS about) was, Brian booked Coffey Anderson (Singer and Songwriter) the artist who wrote their first song. The song "Better Today" he performed for Brian and Katie. The feeling in the room watching this all come together... indescribable! Be sure to heck out Coffey Anderson HERE!

THE Best Man! Cash you are THE best!

 Lastly, and unforgettable reception full of fun, family, dancing, singing, and a bit of Ole Smokey Moonshine (my favorite distillery in Gatlinburg, TN = GOOD TIMES!

Brian & Katie, thank you so much for allowing me to share in this special time in your lives. I am confident you two will work hard to remember all the love you have for each other for the rest of your lives! I wish you the best and look forward to capturing many memories for you in the years to come! XOXO, Kari :)

Please enjoy this video as well, there are a couple of quick clips of Coffey singing their wedding song :) 

Rang Kiddos! - Tecumseh, MI Family Photographer

Playing downtown Tecumseh with Olivia and Lucas! It's amazing how much has changed since his newborn session just 6 months ago! They have both changed a ton! Thank you Rang Family for such a fun session! I truly have the best job in the world :)

***Disclaimer: These railroad tracks are NOT live.***

Brynlei Hoskins - Brooklyn, MI newborn Photographer

A little newborn love this morning :) Meet sweet little Brynlei at 7 days old! 

The time of year has come again for High School Senior Pictures!!! I love this time of year and look forward to creating these memories for such a special time in their lives! We had a great session with Katie!! Class of 2015!!!!

If you are looking to schedule your Senior Session, please inquire at: kari@touchoflovephotography.com

Sullivan Michael Clark - Jackson, MI birth photographer

I BARELY made it to this birth! I walked in the room with about 2 pushes to go and Mr. Sullivan made his way into the world. Pure perfection!! Congrats Clark Family!!!

Addison Judith Grundeman - Michigan Birth Photographer

Welcome to the world little Addison :)

Brent Family Maternity - Jackson, MI newborn photographer

So it's been a bit since I have check in here on the blog! Im not doing well sticking to my plan of updating my blog when I photograph newborns, however... editing and shooting as well as all the other responsibilities tend to take priority! It's always busy around here, but it's a good busy. I feel so blessed to be enjoying life around here so much. As I am sure most of you can attest to... that winter was the worst EVER! I definitely fell into the inevitable funk and couldn't get out of it! So... I decided to get myself back into the gym back in March. I ran a 5k race for St. Patricks Day and a 5k KICKED my butt. It was my first clue that I was OUT of shape and needed to get back to it ASAP! Since then, I have spent endless hours and days at the Centre in Adrian, and am seeing some progress! I ran a triathlon (mini sprint) back in 2011, and decided I want to try it again this year. Training is going great! The big date is June 22 for the race and I am actually excited about it. I figure I am 3 years older than the first time, so it will be fun to see if I can improve my time from 3 years ago. 

Anyway... enough about me! I wanted to share these beautiful images of my dear Chiropractor Meaghan and her adorable family! They are due with baby #2 in about 6 weeks! You will see big brother Gavin pictured above. That kid... seriously have more personality than most people have in their left pinky!!! He's a RIOT! So loving, funny, and BEYOND CUTE! He is going to be such a great big brother. I am looking forward to watching him and the baby together :) 

Enjoy your last few weeks of life with 1 child! It's about to get double fun very soon! Thank you Brent Family for allowing me to help capture this special time in your lives! Hugs to you all! 

If you are in the Jackson area and looking for a WONDERFUL chiropractor, please check out Brent Chiropractic. Dr. Brent has helped me get and stay healthy and she's just plain wonderful! She does specialize in chiropractic care for babies, children, and pregnancy... so if you are in those phases I ESPECIALLY encourage you to give it a try! 

I am on a mission this year! - Tecumseh, MI Newborn Photographer

As you probably sense, or if you know me, or if you follow my Facebook business page... then you already know that Newborn Photography is something I am really passionate about. I have been working intensely lately about really getting further experience, training, and practice at this part of my work. I have always felt very comfy with newborns, but it goes beyond that for me. It's a part of my work where I feel most fulfilled, happy, and I just know it's the part of my passion I am supposed to be honing in on right now. It's gotten to the point where my family doesn't even think it's strange that I am constantly ordering new newborn items that arrive almost daily to our front door. My kids are FAR from the newborn stage of life (at 7 and 17), but it's the norm around here right now... and that makes me happy :)

So... my mission this year is to photograph 36 newborns. It's SUPER scary for me, to put a number on it, because I don't do well when I set goals and then don't achieve them. But that's 3 newborns a month, and I feel like I am already off to a good start. So... this is me setting my intention! Putting it out there for the public to see my intention, for me to be a tiny bit vulnerable with my fears outwardly, and to move forward with my personal professional goals! This goal isn't a financial goal, but rather a need to fulfill something within myself that I have decided to challenge myself with. Newborn sessions make me HAPPY!

With that, I am going to try to share a few recent sessions over the next few days or weeks. First up, this Monday, I got to spend the morning with this adorable little guy name Liam, and his family. I did his little brothers newborn pictures just over 2 years ago. It's a treat to be asked back to share in this special time with families! I look forward to photographing him again a few more times this coming year since he is a new member to Touch of Love Photography's Bebe' Collection! We love our Bebe' Collection "ers"!