Hayley // Grand Rapids Senior Photographer

Shooting Hayley's senior pictures makes me feel about 1,000 years old because I swear it seemed just like yesterday that we photographed her family when they adopted two little girls but apparently it's been 5 years! Yowza! 

--> You can view that session here: http://www.mudeyes.com/the-simcox-family/

They came up to Muskegon to have beach pictures and I'm so glad! It's just so beautiful out here and I love every chance we get to shoot at this beach. With the wind in her hair and many giggles to be had, she just looked beautiful! 

Jana & Cody // South Haven Engagement Photographer

WHOA. Seriously...this session, these people, that sunset. It's all so whoa-worthy. 

This was filled with all of my favorite things. A super happy little family with a kid full of character and energy, beautiful weather, an incredible sunset, a couple who truly love and enjoy each other and a general laid back, up for anything spirit. I was literally jumping around because I couldn't contain my excitement from how awesome I knew these pictures would be. 

There's just such beauty in not overthinking things and just enjoying being with someone. It's really about not worrying about us and if you look good in the pictures, we will always worry about that. Your part is just to do your best to make your person happy and that is really what makes photos meaningful and what makes people beautiful. I know it sounds so cheesy, but loving someone changes them. It makes their posture better, their smile bigger, their eyes brighter, their laugh full of energy and gives them courage to let go and have fun. 

So that is the lesson we should all learn from this session. Let go, stop worrying and just love the person you are with and we will take care of the rest. 

Part of me wanted to post it backwards since the sunset stuff is so great but then this kid is so cute so it was such a hard choice. It's a long post, but the end is worth it! 

I am so beyond excited for their wedding next year! 

DeAnna & Zach // Kalamazoo Wedding Photographer

They said it was going to be a hot summer and boy were they right! However, that all played well in DeAnna's favor since she is apparently ALWAYS cold. So I suppose if everyone else is melting, she is at her perfect temperature so perhaps this 200 degree day was a gift :) 

While pondering on what to say here, I remembered what I told Ryan on the drive home from this wedding and it's that the world needs more people like her. She cares for everyone else around her and has this incredible sense of joy. I don't even know if it's something she tries to do, I think it's just who she is. I know that sometimes I have to choose joy every day and make an effort to seek out the best in life. With her, I think joy chooses her and what an incredible gift that is. And gosh, Zach, he's in for a wonderful life to be loved and supported by that kind of person. They go so well together and it was such an awesome experience to be present in them becoming family.

As always, we hope you enjoy the images as much as we do and just a huge thank you for having us be part of this incredible day. I'd like to say we were all sweating out happiness. That sounds more glamorous than regular sweat. :)