I traveled down to Nashville, TN for Marcus and Ashley's engagement session at the very start of spring, and while it still felt gray, brown, and bleak in Michigan, as I drove further south, trees turned green, blossoms were blooming, and the sunshine was so warm and refreshing (oddly enough it snowed here in Michigan the day of my return...thanks Michigan for your warm welcome back). But that wasn't the only reason why their engagement session was amazing. Ashley and Marcus are the sweetest people you'll ever meet, they have all that sweet southern hospitality and charm. They pre-planned a wonderful day for our shoot and showed us around the Nashville area while we hung out and got to know each other a little better. We began the day at the Carnton Plantation in historic Franklin TN, which is an incredibly beautiful place to visit, hopefully I've given it justice in these photos. We even wandered into downtown Franklin for lunch at a old pharmacy turned restaurant for a bite before then heading downtown Nashville for more amazing backdrops for pictures. Couldn't have asked for a better trip, it was truly awesome to spend the day with two incredible people who love each other deeply and document their love in the place they call home. Thank you both for inviting me down, I can't wait to see you again for wedding day!
I don't think I've ever laughed so hard through an engagement session. These two are full of love and laughter and a joy to photograph. Even though it may have been a chilly, blustery spring day on the beach at Grand Haven the connection they have between them made it feel nothing less than beautiful and special. Thank you for trusting in me to capture your love and sharing so many laughs together, and of course patience with my waddling 8 months pregnant self trekking through the beach and sand. Lets just say I'm glad there are no pictures of me ;)
Can't wait for wedding day, its going to be so fun!
Amanda & Chad are a perfect match, I think these images show perfectly how genuine, fun, and comfortable these two are together. We started the session in front of a cozy fireplace at home with the cutest pup. Meet Bear, their newest addition to the family and full of that adorable puppy spunk. He was definitely more interested in playtime rather than picture time, as any puppy would, but I caught a few great moments with him. We had an unusually awesome March day with warmth and sun so we headed out to a few special Grand Rapids spots for the rest of the evening to enjoy the celebration of being newly engaged. Can I just say that I think I'm obsessed with Amanda's pear cut engagement ring. Thank you both for a wonderful evening of laughter, wedding day is going to be a blast!
I take for granted just how many amazing pieces of art we have around Grand Rapids, mostly because of Art Prize, and there's something new and unique every year. It is truly something special here in my city, and it was finally time to incorporate one of my favorite murals into a photo session (I've had my eye on it for a while) Amanda and Bryan were definitely over due for a night out together away from their two little ones, luckily their engagement session here inGrand Rapids was a great excuse for a date night. We started in my lovely downtown studio with some wine, and then headed out downtown for sunset. Who knew that February would feel like spring, Michigan weather is so so crazy but in this case I had no complaint. Thanks for spending your date night with me, it's was a blast hanging out with you two! Looking forward to that special wedding day.
