Personal

Emily - Downtown Kalamazoo editorial portrait photography

This is not the first or the last time Emily Crombez is going to make an appearance on the blog.
I got to know her through mutual connections in the photography world, and I’m so glad to have the opportunity to call her a genuine friend. This chick can absolutely kill a pose (Like, the evidence is below) but is also a mad talented photographer and ambitious entrepreneur. She builds up other women like no one’s business, and I will jump at the chance to create something together, always.

We wanted this shoot to showcase Emily’s more editorial posing, so a classic black and white with loads o’ contrast is exactly where my mind went. Downtown Kalamazoo has no end to great textures and urban landscape, which is important when your model is particularly climb-y.

Thanks for being amazing as always Emily!

Kristin - Kalamazoo portrait session

When Kristin and I met at a photography workshop last winter, we knew we had to work together on a creative project. With wedding season winding down, it was the perfect time to do just that!
Not only is Kristin a super talented model that is essentially a modern day warrior princess, but she’s the sweetest ever to spend time with, and also has mad skills behind a camera.

We took advantage of an unseasonably warm Thanksgiving weekend to adventure around one of my favorite Kalamazoo locations, for some moody portrait magic. I can’t wait for future projects with this amazing person!

Montana

If you follow the blog, you'll know David and I don't stay in one place too long. We love Kalamazoo, and call it home, but there's way too much of the world left to see, so every so often we plan an adventure. 
This one had been in the works for over a year, but I had no idea just how special it was going to be. David had lived in Montana for a bit previously, and had been compiling a list of must-see places since we first started dating, knowing someday he would be able to show me around Kalispell and the Glacier National Park area. When wildfires halted our plans last September, we decided to try again for June of 2018. 

It was everything I could have ever hoped. The natural beauty was every photographers dream, but the company was the absolute best. 
We started the trip off with his favorite breakfast spot in Kalispell (Split Rock Cafe) and then toured a few the top breweries (Bonsai Brewing Project was pleasant as heck), and finished up on Flathead Lake, boating with one of David's best big sky buddies. 
 

Day number two held things I didn't see coming from a mile away. 

David took me on a hike to Holland Falls, knowing the entire time I would want to take photos at the top, so we packed a tripod and remote (on top of that, I looked like a hot mess, hiking with a boots/sundress combo that I swapped out for flip flops when the walking was done.... for the photos sake of course). 
We had been planning on shooting frame-able photos at some point this trip, so I thought nothing of his insistence I make absolutely sure to have the wireless remote in the bag.

Once we  fought off the invasive ground squirrels searching for snacks (note that close up shot was not taken with a telephoto lens) we set up the tripod and took a few shots. 

And then he surprised me. 

I had no idea he had been planning the proposal ever since we booked the first trip that got rescheduled, and had kept the ring a complete secret all this time! I've been on cloud nine ever since, this man is my best friend, and my biggest supporter. Life is such an adventure with him, and I can't wait to start the next chapter of it. 

He planned it all perfectly, and even got us THE most beautiful Airbnb in St. Ignatius to spend our first engaged night.

After all that, we spent the next few days camping, hiking, and getting overall publicly unpresentable. One of my favorite hikes from the standpoint of feeling so accomplished when we finished was definitely Iceberg Lake, but there wasn't a single bad day and not one hike I regretted. We spent loads of time outdoors away from cell reception, and it was perfect. 

I have no doubt we will be back to this other-worldly place. Bears and ground squirrels included, there is something special about Montana. 

Zach and Brittany - In home lifestyle session

These two are genuinely wonderful people. Their love for each other is obvious as soon as you meet them. Zach contacted me back in March about wanting to give Brittany a very special birthday present in May. They recently bought their first home together, and he wanted to feature this in a couple's photo session as a gift to her. I was obviously way too excited, lifestyle photos are my favorite thing, and their home is absolutely stunning! We even managed to fit their fluffy new family member into a few photos before she dove back under the couch.

Bethany - Kalamazoo portraits

Bethany is one of my favorite people. She can brighten up any room she walks into. 

When one of my shoots had to be postponed, but the lighting was just to good to pass up on, Bethany came to the rescue with her fabulous sense of style as always. 
This entire session was shot in 25 minutes with a 50mm lens, because I never like to shy away from a challenge! 

New Orleans

New Orleans has been on our bucket list for as long as I can remember. 
I was raised on a healthy diet of hot sauce, and everything I heard about this place gave me the indication that the food alone would win me over. 

Well it turned out to be the food, the people, the atmosphere and goodness knows my travel company. It was both everything we expected, and nothing at all like we pictured. 

We ended up finding the cutest hotel of all time right in the French Quarter called Hotel St. Pierre that had courtyards for days, and not only one, but two pools to warm our frozen Midwestern hearts. They serve exceptionally good coffee in the lobby 24/7 but their amazing staff also puts out fresh cookies and milk every afternoon. The lodging bar is now raised for me.

Among our favorite foods spots were definitely Cafe Du Monde (not exaggerating when they say the best beignets in the city), and the sweet selections over at St Roch's Market. No matter what you're craving, they will have a fix for it. 
Also try: 
Oceana Grill - Crab cakes and Rum caramel bread pudding
Redfish - Redfish bisque
The Praline connection - The "Taste of soul" platter (OH MY GOSH)
Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar - Oysters... fresh as heck.
The Courtyard Brewery - I would have to recommend the beer

 

The city itself has so much to see, from historic architecture to the riverside and all with an energy that is completely infectious. I love this place. 

Gift ideas for your guy (That don't suck)

It seems like the longer you’ve been with someone, gift giving becomes oddly challenging. With each passing month, I know David’s likes and dislikes even better, but I also begin to realize that he has pretty much already purchased everything that he wants.
This leaves me scrambling for an awesome gift that is somehow also original. Rather than panic-buying a cutting board like last Valentines day (I know, I’m about as romantic as celery) I really put my head to the task and came up with a list of dude-friendly V-day gifts that don’t suck...



1. Damn Handsome Grooming Co

Do you think your man is handsome? Damn right you do.

Damn Handsome Grooming Co. is founded on the concept of creating the finest grooming products from the byproducts of beer manufacturing (Which is pretty much the manliest thing since the hatchet pizza cutter). They aren’t all beard balms and mustache wax either, some of their other offerings include Juniper IPA beer soap, the Barrel Aged Oak candle, and Gingerbread Stout lip balm.

Photo by Damn Handsome Grooming co

Photo by Damn Handsome Grooming co

http://www.damnhandsomegroomingco.com/

 

 

2. Grayling Ceramics

Nothing says “I love you” quite like handmade, and the people at Grayling Ceramics got it right. From mugs that fit in your hand perfectly, to growlers for toting that beloved craft beer, he’s sure to love this one even more with each use. (Bonus points for my favorite piece in their shop: the bear growler)

Photo by Grayling Ceramics

Photo by Grayling Ceramics

http://www.graylingceramics.com/

 

 

3. Craft Beer

Speaking of beer, which significant other wouldn’t appreciate a six pack of their favorite brew? Sometimes we think so hard we overlook the obvious. For my dear hometowntown of Kalamazoo at least, it’s no sooner said than found.


Try:
Gonzo’s Vanilla Porter

Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted IPA

Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout

Entrada Photography

Entrada Photography

 

4. Experience Counts

If the gentleman in your life values experiences over items, why not embrace that? When David’s birthday was coming up, rather than cave and buy him a small anvil for the living room (long story) I decided to knock an item off his travel bucket list and bought a pair of plane tickets to New Orleans. It doesn’t have to be elaborate either, a weekend getaway or a concert full of his favorite tunes would be so appreciated!

Entrada Photography

Entrada Photography

 

5. Boudoir Photo Album

Whether you want to add some fire to date night or you’re just foxy and you know it, a boudoir photo session is not only a guaranteed original present, but is also 100% personalized. He gets to see you at your most confident and most radiant, and you are reminded of the bomb shell you always knew you were. Win-win. Whether you compile the finished images into a photobook, hand over some glossy prints, or just gift a flash drive he’s sure to swoon. 
(While I don’t really advertise this one, I totally offer boudoir sessions upon request!)

Photo by Nations Photo Lab

Photo by Nations Photo Lab

http://www.nationsphotolab.com/boudoir_albums.aspx

 

Do you have any more Valentines ideas that are sure to please? Drop them in the comment section below!
Happy Valentines Day
- Esther