Newborn || Baby William

Baby William is a very special little man.

Not only is William a gorgeous baby, he was born into a loving family with plenty of siblings to play with and learn from, but he was also born with a special mark that tells the world, "I was made special." And I love it.

Taking pictures of William was my first venture in newborn photography and I loved it. I loved capturing all the little details and moments between mother and son.

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Portraits || Sarah

Sarah is a photographer that I have been following for 3 years now. She is the kind of photographer that I want to be when I grow up. She paints with light and her with camera she captures so much emotion in each shot.Her artistic voice leaves me in awe.

I always thought that it'd be so cool to have my pictures taken by her. But with her living in Ohio and me in Michigan, I was pessimistic and thought, "It'd never happen." But then the opportunity to meet Eastlyn arose and turns out, I got to meet Sarah as well. And you know what happens when photographers get together... A photo shoot!
I felt spoiled, I had 3 of my favorite photographers taking pictures of ME. I thought I died and gone to heaven.

Her a rich voice that offers a glimpse to her old soul with all the wisdom and wit she possesses.  Her outward and inward beauty is so apparent, it is unreal.
Sarah, it was such a pleasure to meet you. I know you will accomplish many great things!

Family Portraits || The Kemp Family

The Kemp family is so delightful.

The anticipation of family shoots stress me out. I feel ill-prepared to pose and arrange all those people. And it does stress me a bit.

But, with this shoot, I took a step back and realized, "I am here to capture their story, not the perfect poses ever or how cute everyone looks. I am their storyteller." Which was the perfect way to approach this shoot, being laid back and asking them all questions, I truly feel I captured their story.

I first met these lovely human beings at our homeschool co-op. The whole first semester, they were new at the co-op and so was I. Being the new family in the co-op is never fun, especially if you are very quiet (like they were). During the winter semester, I finally sat down and started talking the Kaleb and Kaylee and I was able to grasp a sense of how wonderful this family was. And then, I started talking to Mrs. Kemp and there went my impression of them being quiet! I believe I am truly blessed to have this family in my life and am so very privileged that they chose me as their storyteller.

Portraits || Eastlyn

Eastlyn was my first pen pal. 

We found one another via the big wide world of blogging and found each other again on Facebook. Over the course of 3 years we have talked back and forth, getting to know one another better, cheering each other on in the Lord, and being there for one another. 

I always dreamed of the day I would be able to meet this wonderful human being, but was never sure when exactly it would happen. I knew eventually it would, but I wasn't sure when. Then, a trip to Indiana was planned over Memorial weekend and my Grandpa offered to take me over to Ohio to meet Eastlyn. 

Once the day was set, Eastlyn and I went back and forth about what we'd do when we met and I confided it'd be amazing to meet Lydia and Sarah (two other amazing photographers that I've followed and gotten to know on Facebook and who are also close friends of Eastlyn). Come to find out that they wanted to meet me as well, so I was going to meet my 3 photography gurus (seriously, when I have a photography question, they are my go-to ladies!) who are all 3 gorgeous and lovely.

I was ecstatic  I was so excited but afraid that it wouldn't really happen, kind of like a dream that is amazing and then you wake up and it isn't real. But, it truly ended up being real.

When we got to about 5 miles away from Eastlyn's house, I started getting nervous. I asked myself, "What if we can't think of anything to talk about? What if they don't like me? What if?" I seriously had butterflies in my stomach. We pulled in and I took a deep breath and walked to the door. I took another deep breath and opened the door. 

Standing there was Josh (Eastlyn's husband) with his huge smile and eyes twinkling. And then I saw Eastlyn. Standing there, also with a huge smile. Seeing these wonderful people in front of me and so very real was overwhelming. I seriously almost lost it. Really, right there in their kitchen. 

About a 20 minutes later, Lydia arrived (more about her in another post) and then later Sarah (and again, another post). As we sat around Eastlyn's table talking photography and life like we have known each other for forever. As we went out and took pictures, I was reminded that these girls were real people. Truly authentic.

It was kind of like meeting a celebrity for the first time. You think you know them, but there is this feeling of them being almost not human and being totally different than you. I mean, they obviously aren't aliens, but since you've never met them in person, they really seem like you or me. And meeting these girls and spending time with them, I realized that they are real people and not some kind of god. (not that I revered them as such before) It was a startling realization.

Eastlyn is amazing. She is so unbelievably creative and talented. Her photography has grown by leaps and bounds since I've first known her. She also is gorgeous and has a truly wonderful husband. She loves the color yellow and that is evident throughout her house. She desires to serve God and that has been such an inspiration to me. She was much quieter than I expected, but that doesn't mean that she has nothing to say, she does! I love her so very much and I hope to call her my friend for the rest of my life.

Family || Holly & Rose

Surrounding our family Farmhouse, there are many picturesque fields and photo opportunities. Normally when I discover these locations, we are just driving by and it is cold outside and I end up being a lazy photographer and just accept I won't be able to take pictures.

Well, when a trip was taken Memorial Day weekend down to the Farm to do some work, I seized my chance of a photo shoot. The weather was perfect and the lighting was great as well. I also had some great subjects, Holly and little Rose.

Holly was born to be a mother, and Rose is so very blessed to have Holly as her mom. As I was growing up, Holly was always my favorite cousin. She'd play with me, sit with me at the kid's table during family gatherings and would do anything for me. I guess you could call it spoiling. As a result, Holly always had a special place in my heart.