New Vintage Place- Hannah and Ryan

Grand Rapids, MI
Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown
New Vintage Place

Congratulations to Hannah and Ryan! These two had classes together in high school but did not interact (other than when Ryan asked Hannah what he missed in math class while he wandered the halls). They ran into each other at a party and had one date before Hannah moved back to school. Ryan continued to call, asking Hannah to be his girlfriend, to which she declined. A few weeks later she asked him out.
They were together for seven and a half years before Ryan proposed. They were living in separate cities in Indiana while Hannah was finishing grad school. Ryan went to her
apartment to go to a wedding in Michigan. She saw his car in the lot, but he wasn't coming in. When she opened the door to look for him, he was on one knee holding a ring box. 

In case you missed their engagement session, please check it out here:
http://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/downtown-grand-rapids-winter-engagement-session

I have a couple favorite parts of their day. The getting ready time was so beautiful. Hannah was so calm, collected, and the room was full of fun women giggling and having fun. Hannah should be on a cover of a magazine. I could have stayed there all day shooting. The venue was absolutely amazing, with everything all in one place but separate rooms to move and transition into the next part of the day. The first look with dad was sweet and emotional. Hannah and Ryan's first dance was to Led Zepplin, and as he was singing to her, the guests all held up candles and lighters- it was funny, but it was so pretty! I also loved that Hannah sat on her dad's lap after their dance, and that you can see this in the background of Ryan's dance with his mom. I loved this group! It was a very special celebration.

Thank you to my amazing second photographer, Maria Lewis! I loved working with this lady and she was as fun as she is talented! She scoped out a cool surprise location and I'm so glad she told me to save time for it. 

I am so honored that I had the chance to document the best day of Hannah and Ryan's lives so far... Good luck in all your adventures to come!
Please enjoy the preview:

 

Riverside Park Doggy Session

Grand Rapids, MI

Here's to my wonderful friend, Carleen, and her kiddo, Mojo. We are praying for Mojo's health and wanted to document their close relationship another year. In case you missed their last session, you can catch it here:
www.lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/carle-and-mojo

Mojo loves Riverside Park, as we all do in GR, so we went for some chill time at sunset. 

I love that the book Carlee is reading is "How to Speak Dog", as Mojo is quite the diva. It's just funny to me. She has her own personality for sure and will let you know how she feels. She is playful and sweet, but do not tick her off. Silent treatment with a nose in the air. I will always and forever think of Mojo when there are fireworks, from all the scaredy-cat stories. It's ok, Mojo. I just want to hug her all week of the 4th of July. 

I know that they've been there for each other through a lot over the years. Best friends such as these should be on camera. 

Thank you for letting me capture the love you have for each other! Enjoy the preview:

PINETREE BARN WEDDING - Ashley and Hal

FLUSHING, MI
CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

Congratulations to Ashley and Hal! What a beautiful, laid-back celebration this was! These two have known each other since they were youngins in grade school. Hal's brother actually brought them back together years later. Hal says that he loved her way back when. He surprised her with a proposal on her birthday, December 26th, where she almost tripped over him down on his knee.

In case you missed their adorable fall engagement session, you can view it here:
http://www.lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/ashleyandhal

I had so many favorite parts of their wedding day. I loved that they included "warming of the rings", where they laid out their rings at the entrance of their ceremony and asked their guests to hold them and send best wishes and positive thoughts onto the symbols of the couple's love to each other.

A moment to cherish was when Hal just jumped into his vows right away! He started talking to Ashley in the very beginning of the ceremony. It was the sweetest and cutest thing- seeing him overwhelmed with emotion and so nervous and happy- and anxious!- to marry his best friend. I couldn't hear anything, but I loved that.

Let's also give a shout out to Ashley, who is very pregnant, for being a Wedding Warrior! I think I need to get a trophy for her. On her feet all day in the hot hot sun, and so nice and lovely. The ultimate fav was their REVEAL! The blue egg underneath the birds on their cake-topper meant that they are having a BOY!! WHOOP WHOOP!! Another addition to their already beautiful family!

A huge thank you to Katie Mollon, my second shooter, who is amazing, talented, and just plain wonderful! I wish I could work with her everyday. 

Ashley and Hal, thank you so much for choosing me to document your story! You guys were the best! Enjoy your preview: