Connor + Christine Engagement | Maple Bay Natural Area

It was a crisp spring evening when we met up with Connor and Christine for the first time at Maple Bay Natural Area for their engagement photos. Despite the chilly bite in the air, Connor and Christine embraced the night and kept each other close for warmth. We meandered through the fields and woods before finally ending on the beach. The faintest glow from the sun attempted to peak through the clouds as Connor and Christine held each other, listening to the peaceful sound of small waves lapping the shoreline.

Ben + Vina Engagement | Glen Haven Sand Dunes

It was an overcast and moody spring day when we met up with Ben and Vina for their engagement session in Glen Haven. Lake Michigan shone a pale greyish blue against the cloudy skies as we hiked the dunes. As we reached one of the peaks we could see the Lake below us—vast and calm. Behind us, rolling dunes and even further, a sea of evergreens and various other trees that were not yet fully leafed. It was quite the breathtaking view from every direction with Ben and Vina looking out and taking in the scene all around. The whole world was quiet and calm as it was not yet busy season for the Sleeping Bear Dunes—it felt like we had all of Glen Haven to ourselves. It was the perfect time to get to know Ben and Vina before their wedding day. By the end of the evening, we felt like we had made new friends and couldn’t wait to see them again for their wedding less than a month later.

Matt + Lynden Engagement | Glen Haven

We met up with Matt and Lynden in early spring for their engagement session in Glen Haven. They brought their sweet pup along for the adventure and we spent some time wandering around the area, admiring the views, and finally ending on the beach. It was a short but very sweet engagement session as we focused mainly on candids of them interacting and playing with their dog on the beach. As the sun sank lower toward the horizon, Matt and Lynden shared with us all their exciting plans for their upcoming wedding later that year. Spending an evening getting to know a couple at their engagement session makes photographing them again on their wedding day all the more special.

Phil + Hannah | Spring Engagement

We met with Phil and Hannah in June at Port Oneida for their spring engagement photos. It was a perfectly golden sunny day and the beauty of the season was on full display.

There is always something so ethereal about watching the world come back to life after a long winter. Suddenly the trees are budding, grass is growing, flowers are blooming, and the world is full of vibrancy and color again. Every season has it’s own beauty but I have to admit that the months in which flowers blossom are undoubtedly some of my favorites.

We spent some time learning Phil and Hannah’s love story and witnessing the sweetest interactions between the two of them. It was such a joy to photograph them together and we cannot wait to do it all again for their wedding this spring.

Traverse City Proposal | Tommy + Caroline

Photographing this Traverse City proposal was the sweetest adventure, from start to finish. Caroline's sister Madyson reached out originally. She was so supportive and excited for her sister and future brother-in-law. She coordinated a video chat for us to 'meet' with Tommy and chat about the details of the proposal. We discussed his plans for the moment and how he wanted to celebrate with a surprise picnic afterward. Caroline didn't know who we were or what we looked like so we decided to hide in plain sight, disguised as normal hikers enjoying the view from the bridge. Tommy had sent a photo of the two of them so when we noticed them making their way to the bridge where we were, we knew it was about to happen. They talked for a few minutes a ways away from us but as soon as Tommy reached into his pocket for the ring, we turned around with our cameras to capture the moment and Caroline's reaction. These two were the absolute cutest. There was so much tears and laughter as she said yes and tried on her ring for the first time. Tommy pointed us out across the bridge because Caroline hadn't even noticed us in the midst of it all. That was our goal! After wiping some tears from each other's cheeks, Tommy led Caroline to her next surprise, a gorgeous picnic for two set up by the creek. The kicked off the picnic with a champagne pop and we left to allow them to celebrate together. Congratulations Tommy and Caroline. Thank you for inviting us into such a special occasion and trusting us to capture it.

Picnic Set up by Traverse City Picnic Co.

Pyramid Point Portraits | Zac + Joelle

On a beautiful snowy, February afternoon in the winter of 2020, our dear friends ventured out to Pyramid Point with us. Despite the chilly temperatures and slippery slopes, Zac and Joelle were up for the hike. They stood there, hand and hand with the icy blue lake stretching on and on beyond them. It created the illusion of being on top of the world.

'love is a choice.

sometimes we tend to believe it's just a feeling. but it's so much more than that. it's sacrifice. it's waking up everyday, dying to yourself in order to value and pour into another human being that will at one point or another 'fall short' in your eyes. it's not always easy, but when you find someone who your soul adores, you wake up with this feeling in your heart that nothing could take away and you realize just how worth it every sacrifice is.'

- Joelle

Beautiful things happen when there is trust between a couple and us. We are firm believers in the friendship between photographer and couple. When trust and relationship is established, everyone is much more comfortable. Photos no longer feel awkward, but more like a friend adventure. We always love to get to know our couples prior to and during their sessions. We feel blessed to already have been friends with this lovely couple. Because of this, and the adventurous dynamic of the shoot, we were allowed the creative freedom to capture more playful, genuine moments. They trusted us to guide and direct when needed and at the same time, we were able to take a step back, let them be and capture their real interaction together.

P.s. How freaking rad are they in their matching Blundstone boots?!

Locations | Pyramid Point and Port Oneida