Flower Garden Portraits and Parasols
Summer morning fog
There’s something I enjoy about a cool foggy start to the day. (Not enough to switch from iced to hot coffee again just yet.) Maybe it’s the welcome cool down from yard work days outdoors sweating at 7am to a hint of autumn coming soon. Change in the air. School back in session. New beginnings with a new semester. Mile markers of good memories coming into view. Calm in the skies.
Summer Engagement – Jessica and Daniel
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
Lovebirds Jessica and Daniel danced through a rainy summer day’s engagement portrait session, made the most of the emptied park and a very green corner of the world all to themselves.
Congrats! Can’t wait to celebrate with you guys!
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First Day of Kindergarten – Quinn
School is back in session, and Quinn is off to Kindergarten!
Wrapped up Summer Vacation with a Back to School / Off to Kindergarten session with Quinn. He was more excited for school to begin than for holding a sign board but he quickly warmed up to his new modeling gig. (The attitude for the camera from this guy! He’s ready for the stage and screen.)
Congrats, Quinn, and welcome Class Of (wait for it)… 2030!
Morris Estates Chapel Wedding – Happy Anniversary Brittani & Brian!
Happy Anniversary, Brittani & Brian!
I shared these favorites from this beautiful summer wedding at the Morris Estates Chapel in Niles, Michigan earlier today on Instagram. Perfectly sunny skies, summer colors all around the country chapel, and beaming smiles from the Bride and Groom!
Congrats, newlyweds! -eB
Wedding Flashback Wednesday – Katie & Mathew’s 9th Anniversary
This spring and summer have been rich with celebrations, milestones, and joy. Last week we looked back a decade while marking an anniversary, today we go back 9 years for Katie & Mathew.
These are just a few of my favorite images and moments from their beautiful ceremony at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Katie and Mathew’s smiles say it all when they saw each other during Katie’s procession to the altar.
Despite storms brewing outside the Lady Chapel had a beautiful glow during their wedding ceremony.
The newlyweds beaming all the way down the aisle, brighter than July sunlight. The summer storms outside could not dampen their spirits.
And this, friends, is a key part I believe we all need for successful relationships. To realize life will not always be perfect, that rain will fall, and you’ve got to make the best of each moment. When life gives you thunderstorms and humid haze, you have a choice: You can run for cover or… go make diffused light portraits.
We made a short drive from Notre Dame to Saint Mary’s College for bridal party portraits under ivy covered arched walkways.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to stay dry, stay cool, and wait for sunny skies. There is something to be admired about couples who are determined to make the best of each moment, together, and will go out in the rain and weather the storms. Once these storms have passed may you look back on ordinary moments that become an extraordinary story together.
Even in a puddle reflection portrait the bride and groom were full of smiles throughout their wedding celebration!
Congrats, Katie & Mathew!
Flashback Friday – Natalia & Jeff’s 10th Anniversary
Happy 10th Anniversary to newlyweds Natalia & Jeff!
Here are some of my favorites from their wedding ceremony at Saint Michael’s Church and reception at Plymouth Country Club in Plymouth, Indiana.
Full disclosure: I was a far less choosy editor and far less technically proficient photographer in 2006 and digging through the archives showed a lot of images that made me question my decision to proof them. The “artistic soft focus” image above and below were ones that lacked sharpness but conveyed an unedited, unscripted emotion in the moments after the newlyweds made their exit. I debated these candid images again in 2016, and when they appeared in my Instagram feed as some of Natalia’s favorites… I knew I kept these shots for a reason. They show a moment few others saw, and only two present felt the full elation of being pronounced husband and wife.
It remains an honor to have told their wedding day story and celebrated with family and friends. Congrats, newlyweds, on your first decade, and to the decades ahead! -eB
Natural Light Children’s Portraits – Happy 1st Birthday Ayden
Sometimes my job behind the camera is a piece of cake. My clients’ ideas and translate into a creative energy, smiles abound, and it’s almost effortless. Like I said, a piece of cake. If anything, Quanay and her son Ayden made it a slice of 1st birthday cake when we met up for Ayden’s first birthday shoot.
Growing up is hard to do. I have a feeling once Ayden discovers that his birthday celebration includes cake he’s going to be just fine!
Happy first birthday Ayden! Hope it’s full of smiles, fun, and of course… cake!
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Drop me a line for a shoot of your own to show off your ideas, style, and smile! -eB
Summer Senior Portraits Session – Patience
Patience’s Senior Session landed a toasty August summer afternoon for her outdoor shoot. Plenty of natural smiles for natural light portraits on this sunny shoot!
My favorite photos are always the shots where you are being yourself. Comfortable, natural, unscripted – your photos will show exactly that. If that means picking a bouquet of wildflowers and modeling some Queen Anne’s lace in your outdoor shoot, do it! And, as always, don’t take yourself too seriously.
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Book your Senior Portrait Session or Portrait Shoot that shows off you!
1945 Pinup and Sailor Themed Engagement Portrait Session
I’m a fan of incorporating my clients’ ideas into their photo sessions. The more excited about your photos and involved in the creative process you are, the more my energy behind the camera is fueled back into your photos. One of my favorite conversations about a customized engagement session turned out to be a time warp to 1945 to spin a classy take on the famous “Kissing the War Goodbye” sailor and nurse photograph. Victory curls, polka dots, and a (modern day) US Navy dress blue uniform were all upstaged by smiles and laughs throughout these themed engagement portraits.
I put together the vintage Guest Book post and Facebook samples -both a hit- while the rest went into the album, Save the Date cards, and print samples without sneaking online since! Here are more of my favorites from this shoot in classy black and white.
Kiss ordinary photo shoots goodbye and drop me a line here to see your ideas turn into the images you’ve always wanted.