Emery Family Portraits | Glen Haven, MI
Not only are the Emerys some the coolest people we know, but they’re also family. We loved spending the evening with them in Glen Haven, capturing their family portraits.
Not only are the Emerys some the coolest people we know, but they’re also family. We loved spending the evening with them in Glen Haven, capturing their family portraits.
I’ve known Wyatt my whole life as my older cousin (hey, it’s me, Miles writing!). We’ve spent many a family gathering in northern Michigan. He grew up in Traverse City- I lived on the other side of the state. I remember playing in the woods together and days at the beaches at Lake Michigan. We both grew up to love this area.
Wyatt moved away for while but I think Traverse City always held a special place in his heart. Shortly after he got married to Maggie and had his first kid, Heidi, they moved back up here because of those memories that we both share of growing up in such an awesome place. I think he wanted that same experience for his kids.
You wouldn’t believe how pumped we were when they reached out asking for family portraits in Glen Haven. We met up with them one summer evening and it was so much fun. You could see the love that they had for each other and the creating of new Northern Michigan memories.
Perreault Family | Suttons Bay
It was an honor to photograph the Perreault Family in Suttons Bay. They were staying at a gorgeous property on the beach, and the kiddos enjoyed splashing in the water at the end of their session.
It was an honor to photograph the Perreault Family in Suttons Bay. They were staying at a gorgeous property on the beach, and the kiddos enjoyed splashing in the water at the end of their session.
Hanson Family | Arcadia
We chose to document the Hanson family with a few traditional group smiling photos but beyond that, we opted to document them interact organically. On a beach in Northern Michigan, that meant the kids tossing stones into the water, trying to outrun each other, and lots and lots of twirling in pretty dresses all with a stunning sunset backdrop. I think it’s our favorite type of portrait session to document, ones that feel like real life and truly reflect our subjects personalities. It’s one of things we love the most about photography, when we can actually tell stories through our cameras.
We were invited out to Arcadia to document the beautiful Hanson family last summer. With their permission, we brought our daughter Edith (a few months old at the time) and carried her in the baby carrier while we photographed. It ended up being a true joy as the girls were just ecstatic to look at the camera and say 'Hi, Edith!'. We ended up with some of the sweetest, authentic smiles and giggles and at the end, I crouched down so the girls could say a proper hello to Edith. Their oldest was just a gem as she walked over and so gently held Edith's hands and quietly whispered hello.
We chose to document the Hanson family with a few traditional group smiling photos but beyond that, we opted to document them interact organically. On a beach in Northern Michigan, that meant the kids tossing stones into the water, trying to outrun each other, and lots and lots of twirling in pretty dresses all with a stunning sunset backdrop. I think it's our favorite type of portrait session to document, ones that feel like real life and truly reflect our subjects personalities. It's one of things we love the most about photography, when we can actually tell stories through our cameras.
Gus and Melissa Family Portraits | Beautiful Lake Property
When Gus and Melissa reached out about family portraits, I was so excited! I had the honor of photographing Gus and Melissa’s wedding back in 2018. When they mentioned the photos, they let us know that they were staying in the same location they had their wedding. A beautiful family cottage on the lake–it was the perfect setting!
Gus and Melissa Family Portraits
When Gus and Melissa reached out about family portraits, I was so excited! I had the honor of photographing Gus and Melissa's wedding back in 2018. When they mentioned the photos, they let us know that they were staying in the same location they had their wedding. A beautiful family cottage on the lake--it was the perfect setting! How special is that they were married here a few years before and then we could meet again a few years later at the same spot? And this time, we were able to meet their precious new baby boy!
We absolutely love it when we can build a friendship with a couple. Even better when they trust us enough to capture even more big moments in their life. From one life stage to the next, it was lovely to meet up with Gus and Melissa and capture these moments.
With the whole family there, we were able to capture many different groupings. We photographed the big group--the kind of photo you print and hang on your fridge. But we also made sure to capture each family grouping and the kid cousins all hanging out. We love watching this family grow and can't wait to hopefully photograph them again soon.
Photographed by Miles + Sarah Photography
Elk Rapids Family Portraits
It was a beautiful day for these Elk Rapids Family Portraits. The sun was shining and the kids were excited and full of energy. You can see their goofy energy in the photos, partially prompted by us to 'tickle one another' or 'wrestle with dad'.
Elk Rapids Family Portraits
My Uncle and Aunt come up to Michigan from Tennessee about two times a year. Usually once around Christmas. The other time is sometime in the summer, usually around the 4th of July. When they come to visit in the summertime, we usually hang out with them at the lake house in Elk Rapids. It's the perfect, peaceful, vacation spot with a beautiful lake access and open backyard.
They were here this year for the 4th again and it reminded us of last year. It was a beautiful day for these Elk Rapids Family Portraits. The sun was shining and the kids were excited and full of energy. You can see their goofy energy in the photos, partially prompted by us to 'tickle one another' or 'wrestle with dad'. The last series of the kids is our favorite though. On the count of three, we told them to run toward the camera as fast as they could.
We love when kids can be kids during family portraits. We get to witness and capture their joy and authentic selves. But don't worry, we also make sure to get those 'frame-worthy' smiling at the camera photos too! And trust us, the kids are a lot more willing to smile when they know they can be goofy for the next photo!
