Brenna and Brad...and Gus

Brenna and Brad are getting married next summer at her Grandparents barn. We had so much fun exploring the area and the lighting could not have been more beautiful. I loved getting to know this couple and watching them be together. We laughed a lot, talked about our favorite movies, and enjoyed an incredible sunset. I can't wait to be a part of their story!

We did however have a couple photo bombers on our hands. The main culprit was a cat named Gus. So for this blog, we are going to play a little game called, "Where's Gus?" If you look closely you will find him in several of these images.

I hope you enjoy their story!

Andrew and Sarah

Tis the season for engagement photos. We have been all over the place telling story after story. Our stories have led us to some unique locations including Qdoba and an airport.

 Our first stop was in Ann Arbor to meet Andrew and Sarah. Sarah is in law school at U of M so we decided to tell their story in this amazing quad. I had so much fun getting to know these two. I am so glad we had the opportunity to get these photos before Andrew headed off to California for service. 

The next time Andrew will be back will be for his wedding! I hope you enjoy their story as much as we do. 

Sarah- Class of 2016

Brandon and Melanie's Wedding

"My wedding day was beautiful! I thought the flowers were perfect; I thought my dress was stunning; I absolutely loved the decorations-but what made this day beautiful was so much more than any material item. September 20, 2014 my dad experienced a severe stroke that left him paralyzed on the left side. Doctors told my family he would never walk again and he may not regain full brain function. It was a devastating time and many difficult days followed. When we began to wedding plan, our perspective changed from worrying about the typical wedding details of food and decorations and venue- to cherishing the importance of family and relationships and our faith. On a rainy August day, our friends and family gathered. It was the most perfect day I could have ever imagined, because on that day we shared our story. The story of our love for each other, the story of the strong bond that was formed from walking through some of our darkest days together, and the story of the amazing God we serve! My dad not only walked me down the aisle, but at the reception he danced with me too! What an incredible answer to prayer. It was a day that shared the most beautiful story! A story I will share for the rest of my life."

-Melanie

No words I could write would have even done this story justice so I decided to let Melanie tell it. I hope you enjoy their story!

Ethan and Chloes's Wedding

People often ask me what the favorite part of my job is. And I usually tell them that it is when I get to create the blog for each wedding. I love being able to tell each story in its most pure form and in a way that can be viewed in a rather short amount of time. 

After four years of shooting weddings, Sophie and I definitely have a different view of weddings than when I used to only attend them as guest. As a photographer you see everything that happens that day. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the almost transcendent. To me, that is what makes weddings so special. 

My hope is that when you view Chloe and Ethan's story you get a glimpse into this incredible day. Not just the ceremony, or the reception, the first kiss or the first dance, All of it.  The dress and the way the shadow fell so perfectly over the rings. The hair and make up, the crazy dogs, the chaos of trying to get the last minute details sorted out, the unbearably cute flower girl and the brother in law pastor that always knows who to make people laugh. The sheet of paper than is so much more than a sheet of paper. The Dad whose jaw dropped the moment he saw his daughter walking down the stairs in her dress, The amazing outdoor venue for a beautiful meaningful ceremony and the step stool Chloe uses to kiss her groom. The sun that I had a love hate relationship with all day. The way it made the bridal party squint, the way it came into the pavilion right before the first dance. and the aww inspiring sunset that we just had to steal Chloe and Ethan away for a few minutes to enjoy. And so much more.

Enjoy!    

All of it

Nick and Libby's Wedding

Nick and Libby's wedding definitely did not go as planned. But, I think that is what made it such an amazing day!

As the first bridesmaid was walking down the aisle, it started to downpour causing all of the guests to scatter back inside. After about 45 minutes, the rain cleared and the sun came out and they were able to start the ceremony. Nick and Libby were so fun to be around and neither of them of lost the smiles on their faces or the pure excitement that stuck with them all day long. 

I always tell all of my couples this: On your wedding day, things will happen and you will probably not stick to your schedule. And that is ok! In fact, those moments that you don't plan for are usually the moments you will never forget. 

I hope you enjoy their story!

Dan and Cj's Wedding

If you have followed Sophie and I's work at all, you are very familiar with Dan and Cj. We have been a part of telling Dan and Cj's story all the way back to the day Dan proposed to her at night on the water under a few hanging lights. Today these still are some of my favorite photos that I have ever taken. We then did an amazing engagement shoot in the rain a little while later. And now, I am so pumped to share their wedding story with you!

My wife and I love spending time with these two people. They are both smart, funny, and fun people to be around and together they make a great team. Both of them have been working for the last several years to love people in the City of Flint and they are going to continue to do even greater things now that are married. I love Dan and Cj and it is an honor to call them friends. 

Enjoy their story!

Erin- Class of 2016

Erin is one of my favorite people on the planet. So when she asked me to do her senior pictures, I of course said yes! Erin is a beautiful person inside and out. She loves adventure and loves to think deeply about life. I had a blast spending time with Erin climbing in trees and trouncing through a sunflower field.  I hope you enjoy her story as much as I do!

The Koffkey's

One of my favorite things to do is document a family at home. There is nothing like being able to experience everyday moments with a family. I love getting to see the kids' rooms, their favorite bowl to eat out of, all of their favorite toys, and being able to play with them in their own backyard. When I first arrived at the Koffkey's, Clare was sleeping under the window of Kurtis and Christine's bedroom. I couldn't resist getting some shots in the natural light of her doing what she does a lot, sleep. I then got to spend some time with Kurtis and Kendell drinking Cucumber lemonade, eating fruit, and then playing on the swing-set,  

It's difficult to really capture a child's personality when they are un familiar with their surroundings. But, when they are at home they can be themselves like no place else. My hope is that this story gives you a glimpse into this beautiful and growing families lives. I had a blast hanging out with them and just as much fun putting their story together.  Enjoy!

"It's such a beautiful rainy day!" -Aliza Sparrow Leffel

Sometimes your day gets interrupted and magical things happen. 

As I was sitting at my computer doing a bit of editing, I heard laughter and the sounds of splashing water. Of course i had to get up and see what my nieces were up to. This time I brought my camera with me.

When I get outside Aliza says to me, "It's such a beautiful rainy day!"