best of 2020!

What a YEAR! Truly a "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is GOOD" year. I'm making it a tradition at the end of each year to look back and pick out my favorites from each of the shoots!

Man, oh man, looking through all of these had me feeling so nostalgic/humbled/honored that you chose ME to capture these memories for you. To each and every one of you, thank you from the very bottom of my heart. It's been six years since I started stepping behind a camera, and it never gets old. Truly blessed that I get to do this. <3

So what happened this year?

You and I shot everywhere from downtown Grand Rapids at the Civic Auditorium to the Blue Bridge, Lake Michigan, Millennium Park, Townsend Park, Chapel Pointe...oh, and my backyard! Each of you brought the most radiant smiles, laughter, and joyful hearts to your sessions and I'm so excited to share these one more time.

I'm so thankful that even masked, we made this year so magical & joyful!!! I can't wait to get you back in front of the camera soon-it's such an honor & I'm the luckiest girl.

All of my lovely couples...

allllll the cutie pie babes...

and the sweetest seniors I've ever met...

the loveliest families braving wind, sand & rain...

and each of the wonderful individuals who let me take their headshots & creative portraits this year!

nathan & elisabeth | a navy & cream film-inspired summer wedding in grand rapids, michigan

Holding hands around a corner under the stairwell, Nate and Lizzy Cramblet were absolutely beaming with joy. They closed their eyes, glowing with happiness, and at that moment, took time to dedicate their marriage, their wedding day, and their guests to the Lord.

"Would you be glorified today? Would you help us to serve and bless everyone here?"

As I watched them pray over their wedding guests that day, I knew that this day was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I walked in the door, Nathan and Lizzy were loving on us and the entire bridal party. They were constantly asking Rachel and me if we needed anything: whether it was stopping in the middle of their lunch to invite US to eat, offering us breaks to grab water in the 90-degree weather, or simply thanking us over and over for being there! They took the time out of their beautiful, special day, to serve, and that is something I will never forget about this lovely couple!

That was just one of the things that immediately struck me about this couple: that they live to bless and love other people.

As Nate and Lizzy planned their wedding in the midst of a pandemic, I couldn't respect them more for the grace and joy they met every single challenge with. They knew that this was about far more than a pretty wedding day: this was their public commitment to each other, to God, and they wholeheartedly wanted nothing more than to see His name glorified. They rolled with every punch that was thrown their way with such grace and strength, trusting in the Lord's plan, and their wedding day was nothing short of pure magic.

a love note to Nate and Lizzy...

I cannot tell you how much of a joy and honor it was to be there with you on the most special day of your life! The way that you love God, people, and His kingdom left Rachel and I speechless. We walked away from your day talking about it and how much we loved serving you!

It's our prayer that these photos bless you almost as much as you've blessed us. You are such an example of a godly, loving couple, and we love you!

SECOND SHOOTER: Rachel Waters

VENUE: Chapel Pointe Church

DRESS: David's Bridal

joel & morgan & wes | a fall, film-inspired family portrait session at riverside park

Before we all start DYING over how CUTE Wes is, can we take a moment to just be soooo nostalgic here?

Back when I was a baby and just starting to take photos, Morgan was my first model. It's been an utter joy to walk alongside these two.

If you haven't heard me bawl and tell the story before, I had the honor of walking both Joel and Morgan through their senior portraits (before they were even dating!), their engagement, wedding, and maternity photos, and got to run up to the hospital in between music classes to take pictures of sweet baby Wes!! I'm SO stinkin' lucky.

Joel and Morgan are more than picture-perfect, they're also such wonderful, patient, and funny parents. It's been such a joy *like everything I've previously said* to watch them grow into godly parenthood! Their little boy lacks none of their humor, big grins, and dimples! He truly is the cutest!

So without further ado...happy scrolling on these this adorable family!! They couldn't be sweeter!