Olivia and Garrett - Al Sabo engagement photos

Olivia and Garrett’s engagement session had all the necessities (specifically flowers and wine). They were already so sweet and natural in front of the camera, but it is definitely a portrait session pro-tip to have a sip of something before, or during your session to loosen nerves and just generally make photos more of a complete activity, or maybe even a date night.
It was a fairly hot Michigan fall evening when we adventured around Al Sabo preserve looking for the best photo and picnic locations, and we were certainly not disappointed.

Congratulations you two!

Hannah and Zach - Kalamazoo Bell's Brewery wedding

Hannah and Zach are the perfect example of doing a wedding their own way, and absolutely rocking at it. They wrote their own vows to each other promising the things that really mattered to them, they opted out of a formal wedding part in favor of photos with all their family and friends, and decided that for portraits they wanted to adventure around downtown Kalamazoo to capture the city they fell in love with together.
Also, Bell’s Brewery is easily one of my top wedding venues of all time. Everything about the day was a dream to photograph, especially Hannah and Zach.

Congratulations you two, I hope your life together is every bit as beautiful as your wedding day!

Eryn and Al - Michigan backyard wedding

Eryn and Al are genuine people who are absolutely meant for eachother. Our first meeting lasted almost three hours just because I was having such an amazing time with them, and the engagement session followed right along with that.
Their wedding took place on the property of Eryn’s sister (I’m in love with backyard weddings always), and was full of the people who love and support the two of them and this next step for them. Some of the other highlights include: amazingly personalized vows, sunset portrait sneak away, a high-five receiving line, and possibly the most enthusiastic chicken dance of all time.
Congratulations you two, it was such an honor to celebrate your life together!

Emma and Bryant - Kalamazoo Al Sabo engagement (featuring Bell's Wedding Ale)

These two are beautiful and unique individuals. They are full of joy and adventure, and they have built the sweetest life together. Emma contacted me about their Bell’s Brewery wedding a few months back, and I was over the moon (Not only are brewery weddings pretty much my favorite, but Bell’s is an incredible venue. Come on). We started talking engagement ideas, and Emma and Bryant’s adventurous nature led us to Al Sabo preserve as our location.

Just a few short weeks before the engagement session, Bell’s releases their wedding ale: an Imperial Wheat Ale brewed with honey, coriander and orange peel, sure to make any wedding day a party. Between the name, the venue and the description, clearly we needed to incorporate it into their engagement session.
After a weather reschedule (Thanks Michigan false spring), we ended up shooting on the absolutely perfect golden afternoon in May. I could not have asked for nicer conditions, or more pleasant people to share them with.

Congratulations Emma and Bryant, I’m so glad I get to celebrate with you next year!

Tammy and Paula - South Haven engagement photos

Tammy and Paula are the perfect example of people who are completely complementary to each other. We chose two locations that are special to them in some way, and the rest was just letting them be who they are together. At one point during our shoot, I asked each of them what they loved most about the other person and their answers almost had me in tears. They truly notice and appreciate the little things about each other, and that’s so special to see.

You two are so great together, and I can’t wait for your wedding this summer!

Favorites of 2018 - Kalamazoo wedding photographer

What a fantastic year 2018 has been!

Some really special people promised forever to one another. The more I got to know many of them, the more it felt like was photographing an old friend’s wedding, and I was celebrating their love right along with the guests. I’ve been so honored to have been trusted with some of the most important photos of these wonderful people lives, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. Here are a few favorites from the 2018 season that have always made me smile when I come across them.
Thanks for being part of my year, I can’t wait to see what 2019 brings!

Mr and Mrs Price - Dark Horse Bewing Co wedding

What can I even say about Greg and Kristi? The minute you meet them you realize they’re exceptional people who are madly in love with each other. Our initial wedding consultation took place over craft beer, their engagement session fell on national beer day, and of course their wedding itself took place at one of my favorite breweries in Michigan. By the time the day was over, I felt like I had known them for years. I adore these people.
Chilly October temperatures made for some excellent reception blanket dancing (Best favor ever for outdoor fall weddings by the way) and the whole thing was laid back and beautiful, just like Greg and Kristi.

Congratulations you two! Looks like the Price was right.

Eryn and Alexander - Kalamazoo engagement photos

Very little direction was needed during this session, these two were such a breeze to shoot with. Just as soon as I look up from my camera to give a suggestion, they would have already moved closer, or be laughing genuinely together. It’s so sweet to see people find their match and fit so well, and that’s exactly what Eryn and Alexander found in each other. We adventured around Eryn’s favorite view in Kalamazoo for their engagement photos, and found some serious gold in the autumn color department.
Congratulations you beautiful people!

Abby and Shane - Downtown Kalamazoo engagement

Abby moved to our beloved, but temperamental mitten state from sunny Florida, and it wasn't long before she met and fell in love with Shane. They are both adventurous, love to travel (especially to NY) and complete each other in all the perfect ways. During their engagement session, they let me lead them all over downtown Kalamazoo shooting, and laughing along the way. It's such a thrill to know them, I can already tell that their Skydeck wedding with be the stuff dreams are made of!

Alishia and Zac - Al Sabo family photos

When Alishia contacted me saying she wanted to include the whole family in their baby announcement photos, I was already excited. Talking over ideas, it became clear that her main priority was to shoot during golden hour (YESSS). The lighting was nothing short of magic, and they were all unbelievably sweet. 
Congratulations to all three of you on the new addition to the family!

Mr and Mrs Ramsay - Asylum lake anniversary photos

These two are some of my favorite people. Bethany is everything that is classy and graceful. On top of having mad style, she is crazy skilled in all things writing and PR, and that doesn't even begin to cover why she's amazing. 
Ben is talented and steady. A phenomenal leader and source of support and, on top of all that, can brew a mean beer.
I had the massive pleasure to shoot their engagement photos, capture their wedding, and now celebrate their anniversary with them the best way I know how: More photos. 
We even went to back to the location where Ben proposed! 

Congratulations on one year married Mr and Mrs Ramsay! Keep being awesome to one another.

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! 

Jyotika and Bhajanpreet

So, I've been going through the photos captured over the past year, and realized just how many of them never got blogged.
Wedding season has me running around quite a bit, and while albums are shared on the Facebook page, and previews put on Instagram, the poor blog doesn't see nearly enough.
That's why this winter I'll be using the opportunity to share some "Throwback Thursday" photo sessions!
Starting off with these two:
Oh my gosh. 
They were all smiles and laughter the whole time we were shooting their engagement session. It was like something out of a fairytale, and I smile every time I see these photos.

Brandon and Kati

Hearing Brandon and Kati's plans for their wedding day next year, I am beyond excited to get to be the one to capture it! They are adding so many personal touches, and really embracing what it means to have their day. It's going to be legendary. 

So glad we were able to get in a fall engagement session while the leaves were still in color!

Mr and Mrs Osetek - A Henderson Castle wedding

Megan and Jesse have been together for years and years, and when they invited all their friends and family to celebrate with them, it was literally the party of the decade. 
The wedding took place at the beautiful Henderson castle in Kalamazoo, MI, and every detail was fit for royalty. 

Poland P.1

Unexpected. 

If I were to choose one word to describe Poland, that would be it. 

This incredible place was nothing like I was anticipating, and I haven't stopped telling everyone who gives me a conversation opening exactly why they should add this one to the bucket list. 

The whole crazy idea came from a text message exchange with David (My supportive, sweet, and quite insane boyfriend) as I sat editing photos:

D: "I love you"

Me: "Aw, I love you too!"

D: "Do you want to go to Krakow with me?"

Me: "... Obviously."

There was no previous talk of trying to plan this trip, but if I've learned one thing through dating this spontaneous gentleman, it's that coming up with excuses not to do something is far too easy, and you end up looking back with missed opportunities in your hindsight. 

So the tickets were purchased, and the plans were made! The timing ended up working out perfectly as, after our week in Poland, I would be spending some additional time shooting for a travel brand in Europe (more on that later). 

Our first few nights were spent at the coolest little hostel right in Old Town. As much as Air BNB is life, you meet the coolest people from all over the world at hostels, and I wouldn't trade that for any hotel.

The food: AMAZING. 

I cannot stress this enough. All over the city you can easily find outdoor cafes serving some of the freshest, most well prepared dishes I've had anywhere in the world. I will be including restaurant recommendations in part 2 of the Poland blog... I need to share this information with the world.

I'm missing this place already, more photos soon!

- Esther