Chase, or as his mom would call him, Chasers, is 3 months old already!  He is super cute, super sweet and super cuddly!  I have been able to photograph him even before he was born, in his mommy's belly!  Meeting new people and them turning into friends is one reason that I love my job!!

The only smile he gave us, because his daddy walked into the room!

I simply adore this photo.  Cute little Chase and his very happy mommy!

This was not a posed photo...but I saw them laying there and had to take a shot.  Love it!

Fell asleep right in daddy's arms

Baby feet!

The whole family!

 

I can't wait to go outside next time for Chase's six month photos!!

 

What an exciting time for Derrick & Katie!  They were our first wedding couple of 2011 and now they are expecting their second sweet little girl!  I always love taking maternity photos for past wedding couples!  It is so much fun to see their families grow!

 

Katie is such a pretty mama!!

Emma is so excited to be a big sister!

If you can't tell by the look on her face....it was FREEZING!!

I can't wait to meet Ali!

I LOVE this photo of Katie!

We had to take some photos inside.  It was seriously the coldest photo shoot I have ever had!

I love Ali's personalized quilt and her shabby chic room!!

 

How is it possible that a year has already flown by?  I knew it coming in....but when it gets here, you just wonder, "How?".  Our sweet baby girl, Addison is one year old today!  It seems just like yesterday we found out that we were expecting!  She has been such an amazing addition to our family over the past year!  Everyone always says that your life changes so much.....and I totally agree, but I wouldn't change it back for the world!

Happy Birthday Addison!! 

Here she is, through the year!

Where it all began....

Only a few weeks old....

A whole month now!

Two months old....

Three and six months here...

Seven months :)

Nine months....getting so big!

10 months old...and a super windy day!

And here she is.....my big ONE year old!

 

Thanks to all of the amazing photographers who have captured perfect memories for our family this past year!  We truly appreciate it :)

Maternity:  SB Childs Photography

Newborn:  Ashley Folkema Photography

One Month:  Casey Johnson Photography

Ten Month:  Shutter Sam Photography

If you ever look at this blog....then you must know how much I LOVE sun in photos!  I think that it adds a sense of romance, some extra depth and light, and maybe even some interest to a photograph.  Although I love sun....I do have a confession to make.  When starting out as a photographer, I was super afraid of the sun during photo sessions.  I would schedule around the sun....trying to miss out on it as much as possible.  Overcast, boring skies were my friend....and bold, beautiful sunny days, not so much.  Man oh man am I glad that I got over that!  I was missing out on so much beauty and am now so happy with my sun shots!  I hope you love them too! 

Because I love these shots so much.....there are a ton here to look at.  I couldn't even possibly choose my favorite if I tried beacuse I love them all for so many different reasons!  Maybe you can help here.....which one is your favorite? 

 

 

 

We had so much fun at the 2012 GR Unveiled Bridal Show!  It was such a great show.....unique vendors, fun ideas and lots of energy.  When signing up to be a vendor at the show.....they highly recommended that we had a unique display ..... more than just an ordinary 10x10 space with one table where we put our products.  After I heard this....my mind started racing.  I had a great time going from antique shop to antique shop looking for just the right table, basket, chair, etc.  It was a blast!  I was able to pull it all off thanks to Joe's amazing "make-anything-work" ability and Terra's fun ideas!  Thanks to you both :)

Here are some photos of our booth that I know you all have been waiting for!  I hope you love it as much as I do....maybe even gives you some ideas for your own fun event!!

 

 

 

We hope to see you there next year!!

It's that time of the year again .... where we go through some of our favorite images from the short year before!  2011's recap is going to be great!  We will be posting anything from wedding details and best kisses to our favorite sunflares.. If you have anything else you would like to see, let me know!!

Katie A's Dress

Caryn's Dress

Desirae's Dress

Megan's Dress

Terra's Dress

Alicia's Dress

Amber's Dress

Andrea's Dress

Lauren's Dress

Kuirsta's Dress

Meg's Dress

Rachel's Dress

Trina's Dress

Shellee's Dress

Jessica's Dress

Katie D's Dress

Sarah's Dress

Erica's Dress

Michelle's Dress

Christine's Dress

 

Andrea called me late summer/early fall to set up a time to take her "LTD" photos (Love The Dress).  I was looking forward to this session for a few months....then had to wait until now to post the photos.  Good thing I had lots of work to do that helped me keep my mind off of it....b/c I was so excited to share these :) 

Andrea wanted to give some of these photos to her husband, Michael, for Christmas....I cannot believe that she kept the secret for so long!  Every year for Christmas, I have to buy Joe's gifts w/in a few weeks of the holiday because I can't wait! 

Here are some of my favorites from her session.  I love the fall look to them :)

There are even some pumpkins left in this shot!

I love these two...so pretty!

A couple of my faves!

 

Although we didn't "trash" her dress.....it was still fun to take photos in a different location from the wedding day.  I love these sessions soooo much because it gives us so much more time....even a second chance for a new hair-do or fun accessories. 

And if you are a little daring....rolling around in the dirt in your cowboy boots and fishnets may just be a good idea :)

What an absolutely beautiful, perfect little baby girl!  Charlotte was as sweet as can be and so adorable.  Her super soft skin and chubby cheeks need lots of kisses.....thankfully her mom and dad are there for that!  They love her so much.....which I doubt is very difficult :)

I was so excited when Dorothy contacted me about photographing Charlotte in her first month of her life.  Dorothy was one of the bridesmaids from one of our weddings this summer, so it is always nice to catch up and talk on a more personal level then we can on the wedding day. 

I can't wait to see this little one grow through the coming months.  I have no doubt that she will be gorgeous!

LOVE little baby feet!!

Fun angles add so much interest to a photo!

I adore this photo.....mom, dad and their sweet little baby :)

 

I simply adore this family.  Annette (gorgeous girl in the blue) was one of my best friends growing up.  We had so much fun, got in a little trouble and grew to be very close!  Sometimes I just miss those days :) Her parents, Don and Mary, are so sweet.  Mary was the type of mom that would have an after school snack waiting when you walked in the door.....whether it was freshly baked cookies or peanut butter and celery, I was always happy!

Normally, with the amount of wind we had for the session, I would have rescheduled.  It was not an option this time!  Michelle, the oldest daughter, was home from Germany with her husband for Thanksgiving, so it was our only opportunity.  Thankfully, we had some luck and ended up having some great pics! 

Family photos are sooo important!  You don't need to only have young children to do family photos....it is equally important when your children grow up to be adults themselves!  I need to have my famiy do this now ......  We have closer to 30 people though, so it may be a little more difficult!

OH MY GOODNESS!!  When I first met Brooklyn, my heart instantly began to melt.  She was so little, so cute and so prefect in every way!  I could have sat and held her all day long. 

I traveled to Grand Rapids to Merrisa and Robb's home to photograph their new addition.  From the second I walked in I knew I would love this family.  Although little Brooklyn was quite a surprise, her parents couldn't possibly be happier!  They love her so much and couldn't stop kissing her.  She is one lucky girl!

I say it all of the time, but I love photos of new mothers and their babies!

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This may be my fave photo ever....her little face is sooooo cute!!

 

We are so excited and so honored to have Tyler and Erica's October wedding featured on Landlocked Bride's blog today!!

Ten years later .... they said "I DO"!!  Jerid and Michelle have been together for, yes, 10 years!  They met in high school and have been together ever since.  Not only are they sweet, happy, fun-loving and just simply wonderful, but they happen to be good friends of mine too!  It always is so special to me to be able to be such an important part of a friend's wedding day. 

We met up with Michelle and her bridesmaids at All Saints Church in Fremont where they were putting their final touches of makeup on and slipping into their pretty dresses.  I had been so excited leading up to this day because I knew it would be a fun reunion of old friends and lots of good times!  And it was definitely nothing short of that!!

It was a gorgeous fall day .... we were sooo lucky!

Michelle wore her grandmother's ring as her "something old"

Their adorable daughter, Brooklyn, on the left!

Michelle is very close with her family.  These next few shots of her and her parents are so sweet!

Michelle was so excited to finally marry Jerid....her smile gave it away :)

Married!

After the wedding, we drove to Heritage Farms to take lots of fun wedding photos.  The scenery is so pretty there.

I love this shot of Jerid.  He looks so handsome!

Michelle was such a gorgeous bride!

Their wedding party was so much fun!  They were laughing and joking the entire time.

.

LOVE this photo and the light!

After the photos were taken, we headed to Leighton Hall in White Cloud for a fun party!

Little Brooklyn, watching mommy and daddy's first dance :) 

I have to admit...I may have shed a tear...or several while editing these dancing photos.  Love the emotion and the happiness!!

And one more of cute little Brooklyn!!

 

Jerid & Michelle -

Thank you for asking me to be there to capture all the tears, smiles, hugs and kisses on your wedding day.  It means so much to me!  I hope your day was perfect and that the next ten years are even better than the first!!  Congrats!  - Kellie

 

Wedding Vendor Details:

Ceremony - All Saint's Catholic Church, Fremont MI

Reception - Leighton Hall - White Cloud MI

Cake - Judy Wallace, Fremont MI

Hair - Snipperz, Fremont MI

Flowers - DIY

Photographers - Us!

What an adorable family!  I love having the opportunity to photograph a family that I have in the past!  I was able to take pics of this sweet family last fall....and wow, have these little ladies sure grown!  I remember last year, the youngest, Sarah, was really shy and wanted nothing to do with having her photos taken.....and this year, she was so much fun!  (the weather was much nicer this year too)!

They are the cutest girls ever!

I am so lucky to be able to photograph twins so often!  These two are so cute together .... and so different!!

I love this photo!  It is the kind of picture that makes you smile....and get over your bad day!  You can just see that they love each other so much!!

The day started off perfectly....the sun was shining, the temperature was nice and I was excited to go into our last wedding weekend of the year!  We met Christine and her bridesmaids at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids to photograph her preparations and beautiful details.  From the time that they opened up the hotel door, we felt welcome!  Christine was smiling from ear to ear and so excited to see her groom.  The bridesmaids were making sure every last detail was in place and ready to celebrate their sister's big day!  Terra and I had our cameras in hand, ready to capture every moment of it!!

Christine's Alfred Angelo dress was so pretty.....and very detailed. 

Yes!  Purple shoes.....in love!

I love when couples incorporate details that are meaningful to them.  Here is Christine holding her grandmother's handkerchief.

Christine made a gorgeous bride!

One of her sisters even made these cute hangers! 

On the way to meet her man.....

Rob's expression is priceless!  LOVE!!

Christine's bouquet was so pretty!  Shelly from Shelly's Designs is ah-ma-zing! 

Romantic shots like this make me swoon! 

After photos downtown, we headed to Thousand Oaks Golf Course for a few more photos and the ceremony and reception!  What a stunning venue!! 

The ceremony room was so pretty.  I just love these chairs!

This image of Christine entering the ceremony with her father gives me goosebumps.  It is dramatic and exciting all at the same time!

Mr. & Mrs.!!

Thousand Oaks did a great job with the cake!

Congratulations Rob & Christine!  We had so much fun with you!  We hope your honeymoon to Hawaii was a blast!

 

Here are some of the vendors who helped make their day so special:

Ceremony & Reception Location:  Thousand Oaks Golf Course - Grand Rapids, MI

Caterer & Cake:  Thousand Oaks Golf Course

Florist:  Shelly's Designs - Walker, MI

Music & Entertainment:  Music Host Productions

Hair & Make-up:  Design One - Grand Rapids, MI

Bridal Preparations:  JW Marriott Hotel - downtown Grand Rapids, MI

Wedding Gown:  Alfred Angelo - Grand Rapids, MI

Photographers:  Us!!

What a little cutie!  That is what I kept on saying all throughout this session.  Chase was about 2 weeks old during this session and wide awake!  You can just feel how much he is loved by walking into his home.  His happy parents, Elizabeth and Mark, and I were able to meet before the little man made his grand appearance into the world during their maternity session this fall.  They are a super sweet couple who are head over heels in love with their new addition!  Congratulations you two on this handsome lil' guy!  He is perfect!!