Jeff & Shannon {Wedding Reese, MI}

There are more "perks" to my job than you could ever imagine. No, I'm not talking about financially, but spiritually and mentally. One of my most favorite is when I get to reconnect with people that I knew years ago. When I worked as a bartender at a resort, I never imagined that the girl at the front desk and the boy in the gift shop would ever end up getting married, but that goes to show you what I know. Jeff and Shannon are the epitome of what unconditional love is. I left their wedding feeling like anything with love is possible. I hope I never take for granted the fact that people are willing to allow me to come and be apart of such an intimate day. If I ever do, that will be the day I walk away from photography. So, thank you, thank you, thank you Jeff and Shannon for opening your hearts and letting us all get a glimpse of your love through photographs! God bless you and your marriage for many, many years! And on a side note, please give it up for my second shooter Savannah of Savannah K Photography who totally rocked it out! Don't worry, you'll be seeing much more of her!

(photo credit: Savannah K Photography)

(photo credit: Savannah K Photography)

(photo credit: Savannah K Photography)

(photo credit: Savannah K Photography)

(photo credit: Savannah K Photography)

(photo credit: Savannah K Photography)

(photo credit: Savannah K Photography)

(photo credit: Savannah K Photography)

(photo credit: Savannah K Photography)

(photo credit: Savannah K Photography)

Anna & Tim Engaged {Traverse City, MI}

I love my job. No, seriously. I. Love. My. Job. If there were mountaintops in Michigan, I would totally shout it from one. Anna and Tim are one of the prime examples of why I love it so much. I hit the road Saturday morning with little expectation for good weather, but high expectations for great pictures. I went to high school with Anna and so I was familiar with her natural gorgeousness and although Tim said that she tends to tense-up in front of the camera and get the cheese-grin going, I figured I could coax some natural smiles out of her. No coaxing necessary out of either of them. It was a dream! Amazing weather, amazing couple, amazing pictures! Tim, no offense, but you don't know what you're talking about. Not only did we have a blast driving and walking all over the beautiful city of Traverse City, but then we went back to the house and played games until it was well past this mama's bedtime. Tim, Anna... You are one of the most warm, inviting, fun and up-for-anything couples I have ever had the privilege to work with. If the engagement pictures are this good, I can only imagine what the wedding pictures will look like!

"I Promise You What I Promised Moses..."

‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you ... No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous.' I set foot on new land yesterday. New land of a new part of my life. A land that to some would be fruitless, dry and without hope and yet I do not see it like that. It is dry, but dry is not always bad (trust me... the skies opened yesterday and blessed us with 5 1/2 inches of rain over night! Eeeeek!). Fruitless and without hope? Nothing could be further from the truth. As I sit in the waiting room, I ponder what exactly I will be walking into. There was a lot of pondering to be had seeing as I managed to be the last to have an appointment and they were running even further behind than usual. In my purse sit the pieces to the puzzle of my health. Leave it to me to make everything complicated. Inconclusive seems to be the theme of my life lately. After entering the examination room I have to sit quite a bit longer and use that time to claim my land. My life is my land and whatever comes and goes out of my land is mine. The good, the bad and the ugly. Mine. And I have a feeling this was going to be the ugly. The doctor enters the room and immediately my brain pops up on the computer screen. Something funny about when you look at your brain. My first reaction is, "Oh good. It's there.". No lie. My second reaction is, "Wow that sucker is ugly!". And then I force myself to tune into what the neurologist is telling me. He's pointing at these white spots on my brain. That isn't good. He's telling me things that I had heard before but was hoping he wouldn't be repeating. 100% there is some sort of autoimmune disorder. 99% sure it's MS. More brain scans, more blood work... I'm zoning at this point. I knew this was coming and I know the next steps. I like him. He is kind and carries an old fashioned doctors bag with all of his "tools". It reminds me of something my dad would do. I realize he has stopped and asked me a question. I've been zoned and have no idea what it was, so I ask him to repeat it. "Are you okay? I mean, you have put on such a brave face this entire time. But now I need to know if you're okay.". I had to think for a second. Am I okay? I search my soul. Deep down in every little tunnel where some sort of panic could come out of hiding and cause a melt-down. Nope. Nothing. I'm a little sad that he isn't contradicting what all the other doctors had told me, but I really felt okay. "Yes. I'm okay.". This morning I strap on my running shoes. Happy to be using my legs. Happy to have legs. My legs are part of my land. So is my brain. So is everything that is a part of me. My house, my friends, my city, my family. It is a beautiful run and I notice the calm after the literal storm. I notice life. So, I quick grab my camera and take pictures of life. Nothing new or earth shattering as far as photography goes, but they're just so pretty to me this morning. I didn't edit them. Just let them be. After all, God's creation needs no help from me to make it beautiful. Out of all of this, this is what I now know: I am strong. I am very courageous and the Lord my God is with me on my land.