Alex + Katherine | Glen Haven | Engagement

Alex and Katherine, both elementary school teachers, love taking every opportunity to escape away to Michigan during their summer breaks. Specifically camping at Sleeping Bear Dunes has been a special tradition for them every summer. Alex and Katherine describe themselves as ‘nature freaks’ and wanted to incorporate the outdoors in as many of their photos as possible—both for their engagement and their wedding! While their wedding was set at a beautiful vineyard venue in Suttons Bay, taking the trip out to the Sleeping Bear Dunes area for their engagement session was a perfect way to tie in their love for the area.

We got the chance to know them over a video call prior to their session and wedding where we immediately hit it off. We knew that being a part of their days would feel natural and exciting and couldn’t wait to document the two of them being adventurous and hilarious. We decided on an early spring day for their engagement session and Glen Haven proved to be a versatile location—with a little bit of woodsy, beach, and dunes to finish off the night. We spent the whole evening grinning from ear to ear just being in Alex and Katherine’s presence.

We are so happy for these two and loved being a part of their story!

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.

Alex | Traverse City Senior Portraits

Two summers ago, we met Alex at his downtown home and made the short walk to the beach for photos at one of his favorite locations— Grand Traverse Bay. It was so special to photograph Alex’s senior portraits in a place that meant so much to him all growing up.

We feel so honored to document people celebrating all different kinds of milestones—and graduating is no exception! We want to photograph people in a way that feels authentic to their personalities and give them photos that feel like a pause in time when they look back in years to come. We love that Alex can look back on these photos and remember his senior year and reflect on how much has changed since then and think about all that is yet to come.

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.

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.

Simon | Senior Portraits

This senior portrait session was extra special because the senior was Miles’ brother, Simon! My sister, Grace was graduating the same year, so we took a short sibling road trip just an hour from Traverse City, to Port Oneida for their senior portraits.

Simon is currently studying music theory and audio technology. When he’s not at school, he loves playing guitar, listening to music (he is a big fan of Thom Yorke), or absolutely wrecking everyone playing Super Smash Bros. on Nintendo Switch.

The combo of Miles and Simon together, had us laughing most of the session, and it was super fun to capture Simon being the cool guy that he is.