{08.29.2008} Out of Office

The holiday weekend is here and so is the end of August! This month feels like the never ending month...it just keeps going and going and going and going! *giggles* So far I have experienced five fabulous August weddings. This weekend will make seven! Sunday evening at 10pm I belong to my family. No phone, no cell phone, no internet, no computer...they MIGHT let me have my camera...that's still up for discussion. Not certain how I will survive (it's kinda like air...I need them!), but I will be back to voice mail, emails, and blogging Tuesday!

There is also some amazing changes taking place with LVL Photography. Just a hint...for those of you needing studio work (yelling out to my holiday babies!), my calendar is open (CALL ME!), you're gonna love it!

Here's to an amazing weekend!
Be safe, have fun, and stay tuned next week for updates!

{08.23.2008} Sweetness of Miss Kendall

Saturday morning was spent with Kendall and her parents at their home. If you are one to keep up with my blog you would have read about pre-Kendall, pictures HERE, and then the day she was born HERE. Is she not her mommas girl?

Look at those rolls! I so love chubby babies! And can you believe she was not happy unless she was sitting up? At THREE months! Silly girl. I can't wait to watch her move at six months!

We had to get a few pictures of Tessie with her new baby too. You would think they snuggled like this all the time. (Still loving those rolls!)

Miss K, I can't wait to see you again at six months...but you can come by and play any time!

{08.18.2008} Happy Birthday Nathan!

Three is fun!...or should I say...Free is fun!

This little man has my heart. Look at those eyes!


Every time I have the opportunity to spend time with Nathan there is always a capture of him covering his eyes to hide from me. Yep, dude, I know you're done.

Oh yeah, I need to mention...

Yep, and Nathan will make a wonderful big brother!

And I'm certain some day his little brother or sister will look at me with this same questioning expression. *giggle* I know, it was just too early on a Monday morning.

Surprises make me crazy. Will this little person be a sister or a brother? I can't wait to find out!

{08.16.2008} Congratulations Josh and Kelly!

Saturday was spent at a private residence right on Lake Cadillac. It was a perfect day, spent at the perfect location, with the perfect couple. Josh had contacted me last summer about their wedding...I was, to say the least, impressed. The goal for the day was to keep it as simple and relaxed as possible bringing in their favorite things to share with their family and friends. Kelly's boss and his family hosted the event. There are no words to describe this house. Unbelievable maybe? Everything revolved around comfort from how the whole day played out to the food and entertainment.

Enough rambling...on to the preview!

This is so Josh.

Kelly just before their first meeting. LOOK at those eyes!



The fabulous wedding party.

The ceremony.

Passionate first kiss.

An amazing exit and entrance. That time alone is a must!



And the party that lasted well into the night...

A huge thank you to Josh and Kelly for making us a part of your day! And to everyone that helped to make it happen! Have a wonderful time in Mexico you two!

~the stealth photographers *giggles*

{08.15.2008} Congratulations Lance & Jamie!

Ahhh...Friday. With as crazy as this past weekend could have been, I managed to spend it with possibly the two most relaxed weddings scheduled this entire season. Less than two weeks ago I spent a Sunday morning with Lance and Jamie for their last minute engagement pictures. Normally months go by, so it was great seeing them twice in less than two weeks!

Lance and Jamie are the type of couple you feel like you've known your whole life after spending just minutes with them.

The Round Barn Winery in Baroda, MI is stunning. The ceremony site is beautifly simple with greenery everywhere. The reception area, for smaller parties, is rustic, simple, and amazing.


Quite possibly my favorite moment of the day. I love the first kiss...but check out the backdrop I was handed to go along with this capture!


The coordinator at RBW was shocked we headed towards the winery graveyard for party pictures. I LOVE it!


Jamie's ring was to die for. Seriously breath-taking.
And to show, yes...this image is straight out of the camera. It's a bummer the Round Barn Winery is no longer entertaining receptions for 2009.

Jamie and Lance, Thank you. Friday was, in one word, wonderful. Can't wait to hear about your exploration of Maine!

{08.10.2008} Brian & Shaya

Sunday morning I met up with Brian and Shaya at their home on Totzke Farms in Stevensville bright and early on my way home from the double wedding weekend. There are so many new areas I have had the opportunity to venture into lately...and I LOVE it!

It was great seeing these two. Brian and I graduated high school together, and have not seen each other since. And I met Shaya years ago through my little brother. Shaya will soon be the farmers wife. hehe





trouble.

Only three more months!!!

{08.09.2008} Congratulations James & Chelsea!

Exactly one year ago to the weekend I met with James and Chelsea to talk about their wedding on a Sunday evening. What I didn't realize at the time was how much time I would be spending with them over the next year. *giggles* In September we did their first set of epics the morning the Tri-State Sailing Regatta left the St. Joseph harbor. Then in November they decided that a road trip up to Cedar Springs to see me was a must. w00t! In April I sat down with them for coffee downtown St. Joseph to talk about all of their planning...everything was coming together! I could not wait for August! The end of June I received an invite to their wedding. As many weddings as I have done, I have never once received an invite. How sweet!

(to my future brides...by mailing this photographer an invite it becomes your very first wedding capture! and I LOVE it!)

The ceremony was at the First Church of God in St. Joseph with the reception at Santaniello's in Stevensville.

an emotional ceremony.

the exit.

an almost kiss.

an amazing wedding party.

a little wind.

JUMP!
You'll never guess where I was standing!

Incredible eyes.

One of my favorite guaranteed last moments is the kiss after cake.

Chelsea and James, I hope you have an exciting time on your mini-honeymoon! It was an absolute pleasures spending the day with you!

{08.08.2008} Congratulations Eric & Christina!

This is Argon. Isn't she sweet? She was so excited on Friday morning. Her parents were getting married!

08.08.2008...it was right up there with 06.07.2008 for this busy wedding season!

Friday was amazing. I met Christina and Eric for the epics back in April and fell in love with them. They gave me one more reason to look forward to August!

The ceremony took place at Central Park Church in Holland. The weather could not have been more beautiful! Reception immediately followed at the Alpen Rose downtown Holland after Eric and Christina made a quick stop at their favorite coffeehouse, JP's. Aletha from Pearls Events was there for day-of coordination. All of the amazing details can be found at Aletha's BLOG.

First meeting...


the gentlemen.

the ladies.

This wedding party was hilarious. How many times have you seen a groom rolled down an imaginary lane into a wedding party of bowling pins?


Or the evolution of life?

These next few images need no explanation, unlike the ones above. *giggles*



First slice of cake. yummmmm....

First dance.

And a hit of the evening. Isn't this a great idea? Milk shooters and cookies!

Thank you for making me a part of your day! Have an amazing time in San Fran!!!

{08.07.2008) 2009 Grad ~ Steven

Thursday morning I had the opportunity to spend a little time with Steven for his senior portraits. He was so excited about his pictures being taken at the railroad tracks. Full of smiles, Steven did an amazing job!

Look at those eyes!


Yes, I'm a little behind on blogging...bare with me as I catch-up!

{08.03.2008} Miss Hanna ::smooch::

Before heading out of St. Joe on August 3rd I had one last session...the Zandarksi family.

Liz and Paul came in from Ft. Wayne to have their daughter Hanna's 18mth pictures done and to have a few family photos before welcoming a new baby into their family this fall.

This family is very near and dear to my heart. Paul and Liz's wedding was my very first "full-service" wedding. They then called when Hanna was only days old to have newborn pictures done...and now Miss Hannah is 18 months old!


I wish we would have had more time! I can wait to see your growing family again this fall!

{VENDOR} Flowers by DeShane

I have been waiting for this!!! Angela Swartz of Flowers by DeShane has web existence!

In the last few months Angie has blown me away with the beauty and quality of her work. She is fabulous to work with, and goes above and beyond for her brides.

Her blog is under construction, but the main information is there.

Angela Swartz
adeshane@gmail.com
http://flowersbydeshane.blogspot.com
616.581.2388

{08.03.2008} Lance & Jamie

Sunday morning, bright and early, I met up with Lance and Jamie for engagement pictures. Instead of starting at 8am, I'm going to start at 9:45 and work our morning backwards...

I have been waiting to get a couple downtown Benton Harbor for months. Lance has this thing about the front of the old bank (it's amazing!) and I got to play in the street! w00t!

And then of course we need to run, only what I wasn't expecting is Jamie to leap into Lance's arms. LOVE it!

me = kid in candy store


Beach and St. Joe Lights...


Jamie emailed me to ask permission to bring their pup, Hughie, a few days before. Of course! I love big dogs...and Hughie is definitely not petite.

I can't wait for your wedding you two! ONLY NINE more days!!!

{08.02.2008} Congratulations Chelsea & Josh!

Saturday was fabulous. St. Joseph truly is the city of romance. The atmosphere, the beach, the waves, the city, the people.

When I first met with Chelsea the plan was to not see Josh before the ceremony. A few weeks ago they changed their mind so they could do most all of their pictures before the ceremony. But where to have their first meet? The Margaret Upton Arboretum of course! I just love Josh's smile...

And the pinks...gorgeous!

Boys just before the ceremony...

A quiet moment just before walking down the aisle.

The breath-taking John E.N. Howard Bandshell above the river over-looking Lake Michigan and St. Joseph Lighthouse.

A few more captures from the day...



You can't have a St. Joseph wedding and skip the lighthouse...LOVE THIS!

An absolutely fabulous bridal party!

An ecstatic groom!

And an almost kiss...I LOVE the almost kiss. So romantic.

There are so many treasures in this small city. The Priscilla Byrns Heritage Center is to die for. The natural light, the elegance, the beauty...and of course Chelsea's touch!

Have an amazing time in Florida this week you two! Thank you for an absolutely amazing day!

(I seriously want to move back! ::sniff sniff::)

{08.01.2008} Veenstra Family!

Friday morning started the weekend with the kids of the Veenstra girls. We tossed in some family pictures, but the main goal was to capture these gorgeous cousins!

Started the day with my man, Dylan, and his kissy face...I LOVE Dylan's kissy face!

Dylan just turned one. Such sweet bitterness. I've seen him every three months for the last year. I have watched him grow from a chubby infant to a little man. He's still sporting the creases, but I only give those about six months. I love chubby babies.

Then Austin and his mom, Lisa, arrived. Austin at the old age of seven is the senior of the group. He's way to sweet to teach his younger cousins any new tricks. Don't those eyes look like trouble?

Then Tommy and Allison arrived with their parents, Lisa and Tom. Tommy is such a doll. When I ask Allison how old she was her reply was "free." I LOVE three!

Don't you just love this flare?

And last but not least...bringing all three girls and their kids together.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity of spending the morning with everyone!

{stay tuned}

When there is no movement in the blog, you've got to know that there's processing going on!

To go along with three incredible shoots this weekend I captured one fabulous wedding! I love St. Joseph. LOVE St. Joseph. It's the lake shores city of romance right? I've got the meet, the hugs, the almost kiss...don't you just LOVE that "almost kiss?" Grand Rapids has been pretty well trained to watch for photographers in the street...I'm working on breaking in Berrien County. Yep, that's right...I'm headed back there three more times this month!

August game plan: Holland, St. Joseph, Baroda, Cadillac, Grand Rapids, and Bridgman! Hey, a girls gotta stay close to home once right?

Updates to come!