Erin- Senior 2018::: Hillsdale, Michigan Photographer

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.  

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

December 5-on-5: Trimming the Tree

Every year I purchase a new Christmas ornament for each of my children, so that from the time of their very first Christmas to their eighteenth, they garner a pretty little collection that they will someday use on their own tree in their own home.

By far, my daughter, has been the most enthusiastic ornament lover in our family. Her excitement each year as she goes through her box of ornaments elicits memories of my sisters and I gathered around our very own boxes ohhhing and ahhhing over the ornaments our mom had hand picked for each of us. I remember the excitement I always felt when we would begin the Christmas decorating and nothing was better than going slowing through my box of ornaments enjoying every single one like they were brand new treasure.

This year the tree decorating was left to just 3 of us, but Lauren couldn't stand not having her two older brothers' ornaments on the tree, so she went through their boxes, too, exclaiming with joy over each one that was her "favorite". 

Our tree decorating definitely has different dynamics these days, but I'm completely thankful for the joy Lauren brings and the child-like wonder. It is a good reminder of days gone by and of new to come.

 To see more un-posed photography that documents daily life in 5 photos head on over to the wonderful Amy Thelen, a Portland, Oregon Family Photographer

Sam & Randi- Hillsdale Michigan Engagement Session

We're all a little weird.  And life is a little weird.  And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness -and call it love - true love.  
  ~Robert Fulghum, True Love

I have been taking photos of Randi since she was sixteen.  In fact, I have practiced my photography with her quite a bit over the years! Thankfully, as an artist, she has always been game!  So, when I heard that she and Sam had become engaged, I knew I wanted, no needed to photograph the two of them together.
This photo session was a dream come true.  I loved every minute we spent together. Both Randi and Sam are photographers and they are just starting their own business, so we talked a lot about photography, but most importantly we had fun together and laughed, a lot!  There wasn't any nervousness or tension.  It was just the three of us enjoying an afternoon together, exploring new places and documenting the amazing love that these two have for one another.  Not even the rain dampened our spirits. We knew what our goal was and we went boldly after it─ to show the world who Sam and Randi are and to display the uniqueness of their love for one another.



 

Tony & Rebekah Documentary Session- Elmore, Ohio

Documentary photography is the perfect way to capture the day to day life of a family or individual.  This genre of photography tells a unique story in a specific moment in time.  These are the photos that will bring generations together.  Children and grandchildren will ask to be told about the events portrayed in the photos. Documentary photos are a visual journal, a keepsake, and life documentation.  They hold the memories and tell the story of life.

Last month I headed down to Elmore, Ohio to document Tony and Rebekah.  Rebekah has just recently opened a new business called Wine Flight in the quaint town of Elmore.  We planned to go check out her new business and document some of what takes place on a daily basis there, but before we headed into town, Rebekah and Tony took a few minutes to make a salad for their dinner.
Since opening the new business both of them have been extremely busy working long days and nights.  Most nights they just grab something quick to eat, because there hasn't been much time for cooking.

Watching them work together, to make this salad for their dinner later that evening, was the first glimpse of how this couple operates.  I saw it time and time again as the day progressed.  They worked well as a team and there was a comfortable togetherness that permeated their relationship.  It was beautiful to watch their give and take, to witness their friendship and love as they flowed together to get things done.

Tony and Rebekah don't have any children, but they do have a fur baby named Oakley.  He was quite the ham and soaked up all the extra attention he received that day. He loves to play fetch with great stash of toys.  Rebekah and Tony often play with him and so we took time to document life with Oakley.

After relaxing for a short while at their home, we headed down to check out the amazing wine bar that Rebekah has created.  She designed the interior herself and has made this new entrepreneurship a great success.  Tony and Rebekah got to work preparing one of their popular meat and cheese boards and then pouring themselves a wine flight, which consisted of 4 different wines chosen from their current wine selection.

As our time together drew to a close we headed to a park that Rebekah and Tony often visit.  They often bring Oakley here to play fetch and so it was a great way to end the afternoon.

If you are interested in a new way to record your families stories, interactions, hobbies, and love contact me.  I would love to show you the beauty that can be captured through a relaxing, family focused photo session.