I met Jacki for the first time (not counting our multiple Facebook chats) last week and I immediately felt like I had known her for years. There is something about her smile and her laugh that are incredibly welcoming and warming. The house her and her friends and her equally as friendly boyfriend Jeff live in is the most eclectic piece of art I’ve ever stepped into. From it’s turquoise detailed walls to the eclectic tables and hanging photos I fell in love as soon as I stepped in – not to mention I was greeted with a gin and tonic. In addition to her glowing personality she is also an incredibly talented musician and wedding photographer. Please, if you enjoy beautiful music and incredible photos, check out those links.

I can only hope that these pictures even remotely capture this girls personality and heart. So happy to have met a new friend as wonderful as this one.

There is something SO inspiring about the city of Chicago. In the past few years I’ve been able to visit the city less as a tourist and more as a local. Walking through little neighborhoods and running into random shops (not to mention eating the best tacos I’ve ever had … oh man) I’ve completely fallen in love. It was a cloudy but warm morning when I was finally able to meet Ann and Dennis. Their little brick apartment is filled with eclectic art and really cute cats. They are both artists and I just know already that their wedding is going to kick ass … it’s at the Chicago Art Museum … I know right. We walked around the Zoo and then into a great little park with Wizard of Oz statues. These two did nothing but giggle as soon as the camera was lifted. They are the perfect fit for each other and I’m honored to be the one to document this time of their life.

There are some times when I don’t feel that any words that I could come up with would accurately describe the love between two people. This is one of those times.

My lovely friend Samantha, invited me to be a part of Kenn’s homecoming ceremony. He had been gone almost an entire year. So for an entire year they communicated through Facebook chat, and if they were lucky, a Skype or a phone call. Their love is incredible and the support that surrounds this community is overwhelming. I could go on and on about what it was like to catch Sam seeing her husband for the first time, but instead (and for once) I’m going to let the pictures do the talking. Coming up soon will be Sam and Kenn’s vow renewal … just another event where I end up tearing up.

These two. Their love. Man, it’s incredible.

When you have a wedding in March in Wisconsin, you never know what to expect. So why not have a wedding in a giant tropical bubble? Jessica and Jeff (Or Jeffica as I like to call them) had an absolutely beautiful wedding to start off my 2013 season. I am so thankful for Jess, because she pinned me on doing her wedding photos back when I had only done (seriously) two weddings. Having clients that trust you THAT much is really, really great.

Their wedding was so laid back and the scenery was gorgeous. We could walk 30 seconds and go from a tropical rainforest to a desert. So basically it’s ever photographers dream. (Especially considering the fact that outside it was less than 30 degrees … uhh no thank you).

Big thanks to my gal Sarah for second shooting with me. Some of these photos are hers … and I couldn’t have done it without her!

After a long winter, seeing grass can be the highlight of your week. This past week I was able to hangout with some amazing midwest photographers. We took a (very rainy) walk down Lake Michigan … snapped some photos … and ate some pretty kick ass pizza. My good friend Amanda, who’s graced my blog before was was my travel buddy. Her and I have shot multiple weddings together and I am so happy to call her a friend. She made this amazing stop-motion of the day … I really encourage you to watch it! I didn’t have my digital camera with me this day … just my little point and shoot film. I shot these photos of Amanda with her camera … but I love everything about them.

Happy Monday, everyone!

As I’m writing this blog post I’m sitting in a friends apartment overlooking downtown Chicago. I spent yesterday shooting pictures on Lake Michigan (It’s been so long! I missed it so much!) and today shooting them at the zoo in the windy city. Life is pretty awesome … and I’m so blessed that my job helps me meet such incredible people.

Today I’m going to share a couple of my favorite images from Jenny and Lee’s session in Milwaukee a few weeks ago. These two have nothing but love for each other …

When your couples pull out PBR tallboys and ask if they can be used during their engagement shoot … you know that life is pretty damn perfect. Caitlin and Scottie were my second Denver couple. We took their photos up in the mountains of Georgetown, CO. These two are poster people for what it means to be adventurous. First of all, Scottie works for Patagonia. (And is in charge of the @patagoniadenver instagram feed … you should definitely follow it if you need your fix of the mountains every once in awhile). And also, if I remember correctly, Scottie ran a half marathon up Pikes Peak … and the two of them have spent an entire summer living in Alaska fly fishing and leading tours. I mean come on. The brown neoprene boots they are wearing in these photos are also for more than fashion … almost every Alaskan owns a pair of these and wears them constantly … they even said that someone has worn them in a wedding before.

Again, i can’t say enough how thankful I am for clients like Caitlin and Scottie … who invite me into their lives and treat me like a friend. These two and their wedding are such a blessing to me … and I cannot wait for it! Also … to make these pictures even more impressive … I want you to know that Scottie had just had major knee surgery after a ski accident … and was on crutches the entire time for this shoot. Please note that he is still climbing mountains, driving cars and being pretty awesome. These guys … I tell ya. I just love ‘em.

Gretchen and Joel. I don’t even know where to start to begin to tell you how great I think they are. My time in Colorado was so perfect. After getting to know the two of them when I first got to Denver, we hopped in their truck along with the cutest pup ever, Scout, and drove to Georgetown, CO. Gretch and Joel and their friends rent out a house near the ski resorts every winter. When we got there, we were greeted by more barks than hellos … which obviously is my favorite kind of thing. At one point there were 6 dogs and about 12 people. The best ratios. We had a night of drinking good beer, watching Jackass (of all things) and just hanging out with each other. To top it off … I spent the night in the top bunk above Joel and Gretchen. What a way to get to know your couples!

For their session we ventured out and around where they stay. These two are more than just future-spouses … they are so very obviously best friends. Being with the two of them is so much fun. They treated me as if we had been friends for years and I really truly hope that we are. Shooting them was almost a joke, because of how easy it was. We crossed a frozen pond, got completely snowed on, found an elk hoof and ended the shoot with the most delicious greasy breakfast I’ve ever had.

I absolutely cannot wait for their wedding this summer up north Michigan. From everything I’ve heard from the two of them it’s going to be amazing. Not to mention I’m excited to hangout with my two new friends. Gretchen and Joel … thank you x a million for making my stay in Denver so incredibly fun. I know now that 1. its okay to love dogs as much as i do 2. it’s okay to wear purple sorels EVERYWHERE and 3. Denver is my new favorite city.

Hello everyone and Happy Friday! I’m sorry it’s been so incredibly long since I’ve blogged … life has been crazy! As you know from my last post, I was in San Diego … and then Las Vegas … and then Denver. After that, I had my first wedding of the season (which was so, so rad … hi Jess and Jeff!) and THEN to top it off … I moved into a new apartment in Grand Rapids! Yep, I can finally call GR my home. I love it so far and Jake and McCoy and I are all getting used to apartment living. Life is pretty awesome don’t you think?

So I figured it is about time I share these images. My travel buddy, Ashley, shared her images here last week and I was blown away AGAIN by the beauty of the desert. Las Vegas may not be my jam … but it’s definitely fun for a day or two. We drove out to Red Rock, racing the sun, and just made it before it went behind the mountains. The light after that was so incredibly perfect. The desert is probably one of my favorite places to shoot photographs. It’s just so incredibly different than what I am used to seeing. Lindsey, Brandon and Ashley … you guys rock my camera lens so good. Thanks for being such wonderful friends. xo.