Wedding Preview: Nikki & Matt

What could have been a disaster turned into absolutely GORGEOUS wedding images! Nikki and Matt planned a beautiful beach wedding at Kirk Park....only to have the weather be iffy at best.

Working within the short dry spells and avoiding the pouring rain whenever possible, Jason was able to capture some spectacular shots, including this, my favorite image so far this season.



The sky, the water and the waves were perfect! Enjoy the rest of the preview!

~Heather & Jason

A Play Date with Ellen!

Something new we've been doing this year is having 'Play Dates' with some of our most challenging age groups -- particularly those aged 3 and 4! This low pressure, outdoor session is a great way to get some more candid, non-traditional portraits of your child, especially during an age in their lives when sitting and smiling just isn't in the cards.

We first photographed Ellen about a year ago in the studio -- when her mom called us for 3 year shots I knew a Play Date would definitely be the way to go and recommended my favorite place to shoot, the Sunshine Films building! Ellen was a riot and I had a blast photographing her!

Enjoy the preview!

~Heather

Wedding Sneak Peek :: Natasha & Brian

Natasha and Brian couldn't have picked a more GORGEOUS day in August for their wedding! The sanctuary was beautiful, the dresses were amazing (LOVED Natasha's dress!) and the wedding party was awesome to work with!

After the ceremony, we headed over to Macatawa Legends Golf Club for some group shots and an amazing dinner. One good thing about wedding season -- I never have to cook on Saturday nights! ;)

Congratulations to the both of you! Enjoy your sneak peek!

~Heather & Jason

Andrea -- Senior Session

With all this talk of weddings, you'd never know that we still are carrying a full studio work load! We're currently booking studio sessions and on-location sessions 2 weeks out now and even longer for evening sessions! I cannot believe HOW BUSY we are!

Here is a little peek at a recent senior session that I just finished proofing up. Isn't she a doll?

~Heather & Jason

Trash The Dress -- Zach & Elise

Zach and Elise were my first "Trash The Dress" session and I couldn't have hoped for more willing subjects! Jump in the (not quite) freezing lake? Sure! Lay down in the sand? You betcha! Hop back in the lake and splash around some more? Why not!

Wowzers! I didn't quite know what I was in for until I was knee deep in Lake Michigan photographing what turned out to be my favorite session so far this year! Guys, I can't begin to tell you how IN LOVE I am with these pics! Thanks so much for allowing me to not only be a part of your special day, but have a blast after the wedding too!

~Heather

Wedding Sneak Peek: Sara & Jason

Jason & Sara were married mid-August and everything seemed to go off without a hitch! Sara's personality could easily be surmised by looking simply at her wedding shoes -- a pair of white, cute, sporty Puma's. She was easy-going, a blast to be around and had a smile plastered to her face the entire day! Fun, fun!

Enjoy your sneak peek guys!

I know I said she had a smile on her face the whole day, I asked her not to smile in these and the top one especially is one of my favorites from the day.

~Heather & Jason

Brand New! Red Carpet Walk!

We are pleased to announce a brand new product that is especially perfect for wedding receptions -- the "Red Carpet Walk"!

You and your guests walk across our Red Carpet and the paparazzi shoot away! We stack the images on top of each other and make a fun and exciting stop action video of your guests. This wildly entertaining DVD slideshow is sure to have you talking-and laughing, for years to come!

For booking information, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Wedding Preview: Michelle & Shane

Shane and Michelle proved to be a record for us -- the longest distance we've had to drive between the ceremony and the reception! The ceremony took place at one of our favorite churches here in Holland -- Dimnent Chapel on the Hope College Campus. Then, we drove to Saginaw for the reception-- yes, nearly clear across the state!

When it rained, we stayed inside and when it cleared up, we headed outdoors to park for a couple fun shots of the wedding party. All in all, I'd say a pretty awesome day!

Enjoy your sneak peek guys!

~Heather & Jason

Wedding Sneak Peek: Jay & Lola

We first met Pastors Tony and Crystal Nolan shortly after opening the studio -- way back when we were on 8th street downtown. Both Jason and myself appreciate the help they gave us when we were first getting started -- the referrals, the kind words and friendship.

When Pastor Tony called and said that his son Jay was getting married (and in only 2 weeks!) we did everything in our power to be there for the occassion! This included driving 350 miles to get back to Holland in time.....and it was all worth it, Jay and Lola had a beautiful private ceremony on the shores of Rosy Mound, and we're so happy we were able to be a part of their day! Thanks guys, hope you enjoy your pics!

Wedding Sneak Peek: Nicole and Keith

We're nearly caught up proofing our weddings and then I go and take so long to post this blog! I'm so sorry guys -- maybe we can blame it on sick kids and working 16 hour days? :D

Hope it's worth the wait -- your disks will be ready for pick up in a couple days!

Nicole and Keith kept their heads up with the rain coming in and we even managed to get some outdoor shots shortly after the ceremony. We headed down to the trestle in Hamilton which ended up being my favorite shots of the two of them of the day.

Enjoy!

~Heather & Jason

Wedding Sneak Peek: Anna & Nate

What I loved the most about this wedding was the simplicity of everything -- beautiful and to the point. The ceremony and reception both were held at Anna's family's beach house on Lake Michigan. The alter was hand-made from drift wood found up and down the beach (how awesome is that??)

Oh....did I mention the ticks? Yes, there were a TON of them in the dune grass (I couldn't believe it!) Everyone took it in stride however and enjoyed the day, the event and each others company.

At the end of the evening as Anna & Nate rode off into the darkness in a golf cart, I overheard her dad say, "Well, we don't have bubbles or rice....I suppose we could throw sand spiders and tick leaves!"

Enjoy your sneak peek guys!

My FAVORITE shot of the day! :D

~Heather & Jason

Wedding Sneak Peek: Mike & Ayannah

Mike & Ayannah couldn't have picked a more gorgeous day for their wedding! Not too hot, not too cold, beautiful and sunny, absolutely wonderful!

Ayannah's dress was by far the most intricate design I have ever seen. The girls literally had a numbered diagram on how to bustle it!

Sorry about the delay in your sneak peek guys! Enjoy!

~Heather & Jason

Jessica & Dustin: Engagement Session

There is so much that I loved about this session -- they were up for anything we suggested, their smiles when they looked at each other were so genuine and CUTE, and I loved how much fun we had shooting this session! I simply cannot wait to photograph Jessica and Dustin's wedding this winter- here's hoping for lots of snow! :D

Enjoy!

~Heather & Jason

Olivia is 6 Months Old

Holy Moly....6 months old, an expert crawler and pulling up and cruising around on furniture already?? Can you say trouble?!?

Little Olivia was a little bundle of energy, constantly moving and crawling and wanting to be EVERYWHERE, except posing in front of the camera of course. With a little tag-teaming in the camera room, I think we were able to capture this little firecrackers personality -- go, go, go!

Enjoy!

~Heather & Jason

Wedding Sneak Peek: Kimber & Jason

This wedding was a blast to photograph - Kimber and Jason were relaxed and laid back...it's nice to see a couple really enjoy their wedding day! We went out and photographed the group shots prior to the ceremony. A thunderstorm was approaching on the radar so we took off a bit early to get some outdoor shots.

Enjoy your sneak peek!

This is one of my favorite shots!!

~Heather & Jason

Wedding Sneak Peek: Katie & Dave

I apologize guys for the lateness of this post -- we have been absolutely insanely busy!!

Katie and Dave were married in a small church in Comstock Park. What I will forever remember about Katie and Dave's wedding was the pastor -- he was the most unique/quirky man I have ever seen officiate a wedding! Following the ceremony we traveled to Aquinas College where we got some great outdoor shots of the whole bridal party and also some very romantic shots of the bride and groom :)

Enjoy your sneak peek!

~Heather & Jason

Shaina and Brian: Wedding Preview

While Heather was out experiencing the Haunting of Felt Mansion, I had the great privilege of coming up to Spring Lake to photograph Shaina and Brian.  These two are a beautiful couple and fabulously in love!  I had so much fun working with them!  Shaina is the most sweet, kind, and WILD bride I've had the pleasure of working with.  One of our new second shooters-Marjo, was shooting with me and while she was working with the guys, Shaina and I were coming up with all sorts of fun ideas for shots later in the day.  This couple was a blast, we tried a ton of new stuff....some of it only I would think up(as Heather would say) and got to enjoy a beautiful day in picturesque West Michigan.  From the wedding in Spring Lake, through an awesome trolley ride to Pier Marquette, and on to the reception in Grand Haven, I was reminded every minute just why I love what I do so much!  I hope you enjoy your pics guys, and remember, if you change your mind about needing a photographer with you in St. Joseph......well, you know my number ;)

Lisa-Marie & Ryan - A Wedding Preview

Wow....this wedding was unlike any other I've ever photographed!  First of all, Jason and I split up and each were covering separate weddings-- I was in Saugatuck at the Felt Mansion with Lisa-Marie and Ryan.  Second of all, the mood of the wedding was just INCREDIBLE!  Dark, yet romantic.  Classy, yet fun.  And, I was working with one of our new second shooters, Sally.  

Given the history of the mansion and the rumors of it being haunted (both Sally and myself did see doors opening and slamming shut by themselves) , I found myself shooting a lot of couple poses with a dark and moody look-- almost giving it a haunted feel.  

I'm not going to keep rambling about this (I could for a while!) but rather, just give you the photos...it took me a while to narrow these down to some of my favorites.  I shot A LOT and there were a ton of great ones.  

Enjoy and leave some feedback! 

:)

~Heather

Cole turns 4 years old!

I am SOOOO far behind on my blogs...so far behind that I don't know where to even start anymore!  With this summer looking even more busy than before I don't see this getting any better- so for those of you who check back just bear with me and I'll do my best to at least put my favorites up!  :)

Cole is DEFINITELY one of my favorite sessions of late!  This little guy LOVED bugs (they're not really my cup of tea, but hey, I guess I'm not a 4 year old boy either!) and he was lucky enough to find some bugs on the barn in one of our new locations!  

Check out how cute this kid is!

And, the bugs....

:)

~Heather & Jason

Andrea & Wes - Newborn Session

Scroll down one or two blog posts and you will see some images from Andrea & Wes' maternity session.  They're back again, this time with a 7 day old baby in tow!  Newborn sessions are perfect to do when the little one is between 1 and 2 weeks of age. They're more pliable and sleepy, allowing us to do a lot more with them!

Here are a couple of my favorites from the session-- enjoy!

Congratulations you guys-- he's beautiful!