On Sunday, March 31, 2019, the home where Amber and Wayne celebrated their summer wedding filled with guests once more; this time in celebration of a baby girl! Amber's and Wayne's baby shower in Highland, Michigan was so wholesome. Honestly, it was probably one of the best baby showers I have been to. In my experience, most showers consist of food, games, and then watching the parents-to-be open presents. Amber's and Wayne's, however, did not follow a traditional timeline. It was much more relaxed. Guests filled the basement and the first floor of the family home, laughing and talking. Presents filled almost an entire wall in the home's living room, but during the two hours that I was there, not a present was opened. There was a prize raffle and a "baby predictions" sheet for guests to fill out, but not much more game-wise. Instead, there was this: a toddler giggling hysterically, high school friends reminiscing on the past, grandmothers and grandfathers visiting in the kitchen, and a mother- and father-to-be cheerfully talking to all of their loved guests. I typically do not feel drawn to photographing events, but Amber is someone who has supported me throughout the start of my career in photography. She has followed my work quite possibly more closely than most do. Basically, there was no way I could tell her no! Every time Amber asks me to capture an important moment in her life, I am both humbled and honored. So, thank you, Amber and Wayne, for your continued support and for bringing such great opportunities my way. It was a true celebration of love and family wrapped in shades of bright pink and purple; a casual but intimate day that I am sure will be looked back on fondly. A few of my favorite photos from the day are below. A few of my typical side notes: This is my second blog post in a row! If you try to catch them all but missed the last one, it can be found right here . I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out the session types listed below "services" at the top of this page.

Last week I had the awesome opportunity to do a small session with two amazing girls at Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU). We only had a short period of time together, but we made the best out of it, taking photos in various spots around campus. Both Carrie and Lisa donned their graduation gowns and somehow managed to make the traditionally baggy garb look cute! Lisa and I have known each other for seven or eight years. We first met working together in The Conference Center at SVSU where I worked for about five years. Since I graduated, Lisa and I have done our best to keep in touch by meeting for lunch or dinner any chance we have. Carrie and Lisa, though, have known each other since HIGH SCHOOL! These girls grew up together as best friends and not only graduated high school together but now from SVSU with their MASTERS degrees! I'm so happy I was able to help capture such a special milestone in their beautiful friendship! Now, for some fun facts regarding natural light and photography: It was a bright, sunny day with little to no clouds in the sky the day of this session, which was nice because it made the Michigan winter feel not quite so cold (although, it has been unusually warm this year, hasn't it?). While skies like this are pretty, and it is nice to feel that warm sun on your skin, cloudless skies can also create a bit of a challenge for photographers. The sun has such a beautiful, warm light for photos, but its light is also harsh. Not only can it create sun flares in photos, but it also makes for some high contrast between the lights and shadows in photos. This is why photographers often seek out shade during their sessions. Both shade and clouds help create a softer light like a studio soft box would! Take a look at some of Lisa's and Carrie's graduation photos at Saginaw Valley State University below!

Alright, guys, I have said it once, twice, and probably a thousand times more, but this family is amazing! I have now officially photographed Amber's and Wayne's wedding, their baby shower, and now their first set of fall family photos all in the last year and a half. Even better yet, this year’s fall family photos in Montrose, Michigan also doubled as Grace’s three-month photos! Basically, these people are some of the most supportive people in my life, and I love being able to capture these moments for them. This also means our one hour, one outfit session pooled over into three outfits (okay, Amber and I could not just pick one outfit when we had so many cute options!) and lasted about two hours. Have I mentioned yet that this was also my first time working with a three-month-old? While I do my best to be flexible with all of my session lengths, this may or may not have been part of the reason for our session lasting two hours! We started the session indoors where I created a mini set on the living room floor using two blankets, a couple of clips, and two laundry baskets. It was early, and the Curran family had driven at least an hour for our photos, so it did take awhile for Grace to lose some of her morning sleepiness. Once she did though, what. a. gem! Just take a look at those bright eyes and those little baby cheeks! I have spent the last couple of weeks just in awe of that angel face as I edited each photo. Amber and Wayne had technically invested in one of my children sessions, but since we had the time, and it was Grace’s three-month milestone, we made sure to fit in a good amount of photos with Mom and Dad. So, when Grace’s solo time in front of the camera was finished, we moved outdoors with just a blanket and found a good, leafy spot for family photos. We took a few pictures of the three of them together and then plenty of individual photos with Mom and Dad. WHAT THIS SESSION TAUGHT ME: A lot of people have the mindset that photographers only work a couple of hours a week; that they take the photos and the work is over. That is definitely not true. I spend a lot of time emailing back and forth with my clients before a session begins, and after the session, I spend hours and hours in front of my computer culling, editing, and perfecting the client’s gallery. Each gallery is uploaded separately onto my website for the client to access. Once all of this is done, there is still time spent with social media previews, mini Facebook albums, writing blog posts, and more. It’s honestly a lot of work but so worth it. I love it. And every single time I do a session or edit a group of photos, I learn something new. This session was no exception. During the actual session, I learned that everything I had read and studied about three-month photos was definitely true. If you’re a mother looking to take photos of your three-month old, do NOT bother with poses! Just lay your baby down on a blanket, either on her back or stomach, and let her squirm about. You’ll find that you will still be able to capture plenty of adorable photos despite the lack of posing! Another thing that I learned with this session is how to do some quicker edits in Lightroom. How I was completely oblivious to some of the brushes I have for editing eyes and skin is beyond me! The editing process sped up a lot once I figured out how to smooth skin with just a wave of my editing pen. I also learned how to edit eyes both creatively and more naturally while putting this gallery together. I’m really proud with the way these photos came out, especially with it being my first time working with a three-month old! See that gorgeous barn wood sign? That is actually a prop Amber’s father designed and built for me! It is enormous but absolutely beautiful. I will link to his Facebook page beneath the photos if anyone is interested in his woodworking business! A few of my typical side notes: I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out the session types listed below "services" at the top of this page. My 2020 calendar is here and ready to order! There are several ways in which I am collecting payment, but if you are out of state and wanting to order, the best way may be through my Etsy listing . If you have any questions, definitely feel free to reach out! Take a peak at Sanford's Creations ! This is who designed the beautiful barn wood sign mentioned above. He does stunning work!

It’s not too often I take on a wedding, so when I do, you know there has to be an extra special reason! Shelby and Ben contacted me about photographing their intimate backyard wedding in Southeast Michigan back in March of this year. In Shelby’s inquiry, she specifically acknowledged that she was aware weddings aren't my main focus. She said she loved my work though and that her and Ben preferred to hire wedding vendors that they already knew. Right then and there, it was obvious: Shelby and Ben were going to be great to work with. Anyone who shops small and local earns brownie points in my book! I have only truly known Shelby a little while, but she has been one of my husband’s dearest friends since high school (another reason why I knew she would be great to work with)! We met briefly at mine and Estevan's own wedding, and then again on a video call where we went over her and Ben's wedding contract. It wasn’t until their engagement session at Kensington Metro Park that I was able to actually become a little more familiar with Shelby and Ben. Since then, I have come to know Shelby as someone who cares deeply about those close to her. She is quiet but observant, calm, gentle, and driven. And in coming to know Shelby, I have also learned a bit about who Ben is as well. I love seeing how couples work together, interact, and balance each other out. You know that cliché of someone being your missing puzzle piece? That is exactly what Shelby and Ben are to each other. They fit together perfectly. Where Shelby is reserved, Ben is outgoing. He is talkative and friendly and just as caring as Shelby. It’s so clear when looking at or listening to Ben just how much he cares about Shelby. Seeing their love for each other, in person, has been such an honor. the intimate backyard wedding I am so, so happy I decided to take on Shelby and Ben’s micro-wedding. It was personal, cozy, warm, and a perfect send off to a busy summer! Their intimate backyard wedding was a true labor of love. From planting a mini sunflower patch to constructing a patio to transforming their yard into a romantic paradise, Shelby and Ben’s hard work paid off, and their wedding was everything a wedding should be. Quite honestly, anyone planning their own backyard wedding or DIY wedding should look to Shelby and Ben for advice: they know how to bring a vision to life! Due to their wedding's small size, only Shelby and Ben's closest friends and family members were invited to share this special day with them. In fact, I would say that a major overarching theme to their wedding was just that: the closeness to and love for their family. When discussing what she hoped to see in their wedding gallery, Shelby emphasized the importance of photos focused on both her guests and of the little details that showed the warmth and comfort of their home. ceremony The ceremony itself took place toward the back of their property under a tree that arched beautifully over the yard. Sunlight sprinkled through the leaves bright and warm making the yard glow. Guests sat on white folding chairs in short rows facing an arch that Shelby and Ben had covered in red and yellow silk flowers. Shelby and her bridesmaids held beautiful silk bouquets designed by Shelby’s mother. Behind the guests, stood a tall sunflower garden, handplanted especially for this wonderful day. Ben’s father officiated the wedding and both Shelby and Ben’s mothers did readings. Their dogs acted as ring bearer and flower girl. Literally every ceremony detail screamed (in the most comforting and elegant of ways, of course) that family means everything to these two! Even their unity ceremony—a ceremony which typically focuses on two becoming an inseparable one—emphasized the importance of their families. As someone who has been in the hospitality industry for ten years, I have been to a ton of weddings, and I have witnessed plenty of unity ceremonies. From candle ceremonies to sand ceremonies and from three cord ceremonies to reverse candle ceremonies and everything in between, it feels like I have seen all of the unity ceremonies out there. I always end up surprised though! For their wedding, Shelby and Ben did a water ceremony. Together, they each took a wine glass filled with water and, at the same time, poured their glasses into a watering can: creating a mixture of water that will never be separated again. After their ceremony, Shelby and Ben took the little watering can and, holding it together, poured it slowly over a small tree they transplanted from Shelby’s childhood home. It was an action I found to be quite powerful, moving, and meaningful. reception Shelby and Ben's wedding reception was just as sweet as their micro-ceremony and just as intimate. For the reception, guests moved into an area of the backyard filled with glowing string lights. The tables, covered in burgundy cloths, were filled with flowers made from book pages, small wooden hearts, and lush centerpieces. Friends and family sat together talking and laughing. Their dinner was catered by Shelby’s sister and brother-in-law’s BBQ catering company Burning River BBQ , and their cake and cupcakes were provided by Shelby’s mother. Shelby and Ben's wedding night ended with romantic dances under the glowing lights on their newly constructed stone patio. Slow dancing was followed by faster dancing and a lot of laughing. And all the while, the dogs—exhausted from their duties as ring bearer and flower girl—slept in the grass. Shelby and Ben-- Thank you for everything. Thank you for allowing me this experience. Thank you for trusting me to illustrate your special day in a way that you will cherish forever. Thank you for letting me be a part of your story. It was such a beautiful night. The vibes were light and joyous. Thank you for loving each other so thoroughly. Congratulations again! I wish you both a lifetime of smiles, laughter, hugs, and kisses. I can't wait to see where life takes you. Thank you, my sweet cousin Kelly Bojanowski , for working by my side and for helping make these photos possible for Shelby and Ben. You're incredibly talented, and I am so grateful for your constant support. A few of my typical side notes: I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out my services to learn more about what session types I offer. I am currently working on compiling this year's annual calendar series. Make sure to follow along on Facebook or Instagram for updates. The series is expected to be announced mid- to late-October. Download your list of my 10 Date Ideas for Guaranteed Fun in Michigan. NEW for 2022's holiday season: gift cards and a print shop for my nature + landscape photos. Contact me to purchase a gift card, and visit my print shop here. Pábitel Photography is now on Society6! Visit my shop where you can find almost all of my nature + landscape work across a variety of great items for your home!

I was so blown away when Samantha's mother Amanda sent me a message this last September asking if I was going to be free in December to take Samantha's magical Christmas photos in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Not because of that simple and easy-to-answer question (the answer is always a resounding YES when you have the opportunity to work with this family), but because of what she said next: I think we're planning on coming up Thursday-Friday but I want to do it on a night you're free!! [...] I'm not coming unless you're free." As if it wasn't already enough of an honor that Amanda wanted me to take Samantha's photos a second year in a row during their mama-daughter time in Frankenmuth! To hear that someone's trip to Michigan is essentially pending on my availability though?? That was otherworldly! As I have said before, I am so incredibly blessed that this family found me on Instagram and connected with me last year. Not only are they wonderful people, but photographing Samantha is magic! She is a natural model and so much fun! the outfit Did you see that outfit up above? Absolutely mind-blowing! Even though I saw Samantha's adorable red Christmas outfit for last year's Christmas photos, I am still blown away by how amazing Amanda is at picking outfits for photos! So many photographers-including myself-keep a client wardrobe, offer a styling guide, and even assist in selecting outfits to help ensure that their models are as well-dressed as they can be for their sessions. This is because outfits are so crucial to a successful photo session. For this photo session, Samantha was dressed in a cozy red and purple plaid coat with a purple fur collar, purple tights, the sweetest gold glitter shoes, and a red hat that revealed her brown curls. This outfit was perfectly suited for Frankenmuth's Christmas lights and décor, and it brought Samantha's session to a level that would not have been possible had she shown up in something less formal. Prior to Samantha's session, I had emailed Amanda suggesting that Samantha bring her American Girl Doll with her to Frankenmuth. I knew from Instagram that Samantha had a Samantha American Girl Doll that she loved, and I thought that having the doll in the photos could create an extra dose of Christmas wonder. I am not normally one who photographs with a lot of props, but I am always all for photographing the true, authentic you and where you are in life. This is what Samantha's Samantha doll was able to help with: pulling out the real Samantha at an age where her doll makes up such a big part of her world. Amanda and I are apparently really in sync for having only met in person one time before, because she had the same thoughts as me! She replied to that email saying that she had already bought American Girl Doll Samantha an outfit to match Samantha's! To add to the magic of this small serendipitous moment, Samantha's American Girl Doll had originally belonged to Amanda, making the doll just that more special to their family! the magical christmas photo session This session took place in the same place that it did the year before: Frankenmuth, Michigan. For those who might not know, Frankenmuth is a worldwide Christmas destination. It is a German town with a small Main Street, plenty of shopping, and plenty of eating. It's cozy, family-oriented, and made up almost entirely of small businesses. While Frankenmuth hosts several excellent festivals throughout the summer and fall months, it becomes a Hallmark Christmas movie scene come November. Frankenmuth is not only home to the world's largest Christmas store, but the city also decorates their Main Street so beautifully making it the perfect place for annual Christmas photos. All this said, I have to emphasize the word small when talking about the size of this city! The small Main Street is easy to walk and photograph within a half hour, and its decorations do not change much from year-to-year. Regardless, we were able to find a couple of new-to-us spots for this year's Christmas session, and I was able to brainstorm a few other ideas for next year! One thing that is really amazing about photographing children, especially regularly, is seeing them grow up through photos you've taken. Of course, these changes are noticeable outside of photos too: this year Samantha was taller, a little less reserved, and a little more vocal! There is nothing like a side-by-side comparison of two photos to really see the physical growth of a child though, and the charm of Frankenmuth's small size and annual decorations is that the city leaves almost no choice but to take a handful of similar photos each year that are perfect for these comparisons! Perhaps the best comparison can be seen in the two photos below! I cannot wait to continue capturing Samantha's growth year after year. I'm so grateful, blessed, and even a little dumbfounded that this family has let me into their lives, and more so, that they have made me a part of their Christmas traditions! I can't wait to conquer all that Frankenmuth's Main Street has to offer (we may have done similar photos this year, but I know there is a spot or two with untapped potential) and to eventually hopefully move into photographing in the RiverPlace Shops and possibly in or around Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, all the while witnessing Samantha's growth...and amazing outfits! ;) Thank you again, Amanda and Samantha, for another wonderful year! A few of my typical side notes: Interested in buying your loved ones a gift certificate? Gift cards are available all year round, but are currently $50.00 off! Send me an email by December 31st to take advantage of this holiday special! Visit my print shop for nature + landscape photos! Pábitel Photography is now on Society6! Visit my shop where you can find almost all of my nature + landscape work across a variety of great items for your home! I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out my services to learn more about what session types I offer. Download your list of my 10 Date Ideas for Guaranteed Fun in Michigan. My annual nature and landscape calendar, "pábitel photography in the fall," is here and available through the new year! NEW this year are 10-packs of blank greeting cards featuring photos from the calendar. Learn more about both here, and purchase the greeting cards on Etsy. To be the first to hear about new blog posts, business updates, and promotions, make sure to subscribe to my mailing list by checking the box found in my contact form as you fill out the form to order your calendar. ;)

When I was little, my aunt and uncle would take my younger sister and me to Southeast Michigan's Kensington Metropark. I remember going to the park's Farm Center, where my aunt and uncle would pull out some bird seed and pour it into our hands. After standing still for a few minutes, black-capped chickadees would land on our fingers to snack on the seed. That was back when I wasn't afraid of literally everything. Now that I'm older, I think I would be too nervous to let the birds land on me! Regardless, the memories, while vague, are sweet. It has been years since my aunt and uncle used to take me there, so when Shelby and Ben told me they wanted to do their spring engagement photos at Kensington Metropark, I was thrilled! As many of you might already know, I have been slowly becoming more and more interested in bird photography. I’ve been on a mission to photograph a bald eagle for a few years now, and I’m constantly trying (and failing) to take photos of red-winged blackbirds. This new obsession combined with the sweet time shared with my aunt and uncle as a child, made this session all the more special for me. Kensington is FILLED with birds, and much to my delight, Shelby and Ben’s photos are also filled with birds! Photos with subtle details and secrets have always been my favorite , so I’m excited to have a portrait gallery filled with them! As you look through this blog post, I encourage you to count how many birds you see in the photos. Don’t worry if you think it might be the same bird twice. Once you have your answer, send me an email telling me how many you spotted. Anyone who gets the answer right will receive a $10.00 credit for their next session with Pábitel Photography along with five additional photos added onto the selected session package!* Okay, now onto the fun stuff… Shelby and Ben Shelby and Ben met back in 2019 through a dating app. If you’ve met them, they have probably told you a different story about how they met though. 😉 Their first date was at a bookstore. One of their first dates after that first-first date was to Kensington Metropark where they still like to visit once in awhile with their pups. And, when Ben proposed, he did so in the parking lot of their favorite breakfast spot. Now, I can always tell a lot about a couple during the short amount of time I spend with them planning and executing an engagement session. Just from this quick backstory summary, don’t you feel a sense of home and coziness? Humble moments filled with warmth and love? I sure do! they care about each other's feelings I learned several other things about Shelby and Ben as a couple during our time working together over the last couple of months. For example, when I received a random email from Ben saying “Most important to me is just that Shelby feels stunning in the photos. If there is anything I can do to help with that, please let me know,” I immediately could tell that these two truly care about each other’s interests and feelings. It’s not too often that when working with a couple both reach out to me to help with the planning aspect. Usually, I just have one point of contact (it had been Shelby up until this point)! This was my first session where the other person in the couple reached out to me individually. they balance each other out Out of the two of them, Shelby seems to be much more reserved than Ben who is the more extraverted one in the pair, and while I haven’t known Shelby and Ben very long at all, it is clear to me that they balance each other out perfectly. Watching them talk and interact, it is so obvious that they are best friends. Throughout their hour and a half spring engagement photo session at Kensington, their laughter was absolutely contagious and truly so fun to witness. they are comfortable in the quiet moments The way Shelby and Ben look at each other is something else. Their facial expressions are filled with so much love. It’s heartwarming. When I think of their eyes filled with love, exactly two things come to mind, especially when looking at the photo below. First, a quote from Everything Everywhere All at Once. “…I wanted to say, in another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you.” Sometimes it’s not about the big, exciting moments and accomplishments. A lot of times it’s simply about the little in-between moments: a glance here and there, a person’s gentleness, and who makes those dreaded life tasks much more enjoyable. This one line completely encapsulates how Shelby and Ben look at each other. And second, a Taylor Swift lyric (you know her lyrics are constantly running through my mind). “...give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other.” This is what I see when I look at Shelby and Ben. I have said it over and over again, but it’s the little, quiet, in-between moments that make life, or in this case, a relationship so wonderful. These simple, real moments are so beautiful and are what you truly want to remember whether you're aware of it at the time or not. These seconds are the ones to photograph and the ones to build a life upon, and from what I can tell, Shelby and Ben have already created a pretty solid foundation to start with. Thank you, Shelby and Ben, for letting me into your lives and for creating such magic with me. I can't wait for your September wedding! *Offer only valid through July 1, 2022. A contract must be signed, and a deposit paid, for your session by June 1st, 2022. More details will be sent through email to those who qualify. A few of my typical side notes: I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out my services to learn more about what session types I provide. I am looking for two real couples to model for me. The session and photos are free! Learn more and apply today! Download your list of my 10 Date Ideas for Guaranteed Fun in Michigan. NEW for 2022: gift cards and a print shop for my nature + landscape photos. Contact me to purchase a gift card, and visit my print shop here. Pábitel Photography is now on Society6! Visit my shop , and read about why I chose Society6 as a source of passive income!

Every time someone asks me to take their photos, I am honored. I feel excited, nervous, and so incredibly blessed. I want to do my very best and take photos that my clients will love and be proud of. When I was asked to take my little sister's engagement photos though, all of these feelings tripled. I am a perfectionist, and I wanted these photos to be extra perfect for Valerie and Alex. Valerie's two main requests for her photos was that her cats were in the photos and that we found some flowering trees. We took their photos at Alex's apartment in Lansing, Michigan where he lives with their two cats, Arya and Morgan. There, we realized just how difficult it is to take engagement photos with cats in them. Cats are not fans of photos. For the flowering trees, we went to Saginaw Valley State University where not only were there beautiful trees, but great memories. Valerie and Alex met at SVSU their freshman year of college and quickly hit it off. Watching them grow and fall in love with each other throughout college was a true blessing. While we didn't stop at a lot of the popular photo sites on Saginaw Valley's campus for their engagement photos, we did make sure to take some pictures on the path that runs around SVSU's campus. This is a special spot for Valerie and Alex, as it is where they first held hands and where Alex proposed. I'm so excited to see where life takes these two and to celebrate their big day! A few of my typical side notes: I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out the session types listed below "services" at the top of this page. Make sure to check out my photos from the Holland Tulip Time Festival published in my last blog post.

THE. HAFNER. FAMILY. You guys. The HAFNERS. Simply put, this family is incredible. There is so much love between them that it is practically tangible. You can see it in their eyes, their hand placements, and their smiles. I’m not sure that I have ever drooled so much over one session. Every time I opened up my laptop to edit this session, I flipped through the already finished photos just to admire them all over again! This session’s gallery had me feeling all of the feelings. My heart was melting at the same time as I was laughing, and now, I’m so excited to share those emotions with you. how they met Before we dive into the details of their maternity session , I want to highlight Selina and Jeremy’s backstory. I have known Selina and Jeremy for quite some time now. Selina and I graduated high school together and have been friends since… middle school? Maybe? We became best friends in high school, though, where we had both math and human anatomy classes together. After school, we studied, baked cupcakes, and swam together. Throughout the time that I have known her, Selina has been one of the most protective and fierce friends. If Selina is in your corner, she is 110% in your corner. She is there to tell you what you need to hear, to defend you, and to lift you up. Selina has talked me through my lows and has celebrated my highs. She has laughed (as all good friends do) at my minor injuries (hello, one-inch splinter to the foot). And, when I was too nervous to talk at a college open house, she asked the questions for me. Where Selina is vibrant and vivacious, Jeremy is steady and sweet-natured. Jeremy is kind, gentle, and funny. He is a truly wonderful friend, and I am so happy knowing he is the perfect partner for Selina and the very best father to their little ones. Jeremy graduated a year under Selina and me, but he shared the aforementioned math class with us. He sat in front of me, and Selina sat to the side of me. As much as we may have hated the work that came with the class, we loved the class. Every day was a new day of laughing together and becoming better friends. During our time in this class, Selina already had a huge crush on Jeremy and, being the obnoxious friend I am, I made sure to relentlessly tease Jeremy (with love, of course!). Just about every day, I would write out a note on my calculator screen asking him who he had a crush on. I would tap his shoulder, pass it to him, and he would—most likely—not answer me. In the end, of course, the answer was obvious. I knew he liked her, I knew she liked him, and I knew they would be perfect for each other. As the three of us began to hang out more and more after school (Jeremy joined us for cake and cupcake baking, swimming, and 4th of July fireworks), their relationship continued to blossom. A few years after the three of us had graduated high school, Jeremy and Selina finally married. And now, all of these years later and with a growing family, they are still looking at each other with the same love in their eyes. their lifestyle maternity photo session The Hafner family’s lifestyle maternity photo session placed their love for each other center-stage. We met on a Saturday evening in Chesaning, Michigan’s Showboat Park where I had found a quiet, peaceful spot directly on the riverbank. The grass was tall and tangled and the sky, rich and stormy. In addition to its tranquil atmosphere, this spot also allowed us privacy from onlookers and distractions. The boys could easily play off to the side but still be within eyesight, and we could all talk and move about freely. Not only was our session location amazing, but the Hafner family's color coordination was a dream. I was so excited to see that Selina chose to wear such a stunning maternity dress! She did an amazing job at making sure her family was well-coordinated without being overly matchy-matchy. Because selecting outfits plays such a large role in the cohesiveness of a finalized gallery, I love to provide my clients with a style guide prior to their session. Clearly, the Hafner’s didn’t need the guide! Their shades of grey and blue looked gorgeous against the cloud-filled sky and green grass. As I do with most of my clients, I started their maternity session with a formal family photo. I think it is so important to start with this as it helps to break the awkwardness models might be feeling at the start of a session, and it helps guarantee that the finished gallery will include at least one photo where everyone is looking and smiling at the camera. In case I haven't mentioned it yet, Selina and Jeremy have two adorable children with a third on the way. While their youngest was not super into the photo session, their oldest was fairly engaged. He was also in a stage most children go through, where flashing goofy smiles is specifically reserved for the camera. That being said, I took several of these formal family photos in order to snag one where both boys were looking at the camera. Going through the images after the session, I couldn’t help but laugh at the incredibly silly smiles from the oldest child! When I reached this particular photo (below), I knew it was the one. Look at how he leans into Selina with that huge smile on his face and his hand in his pocket! After the formal family photos, we moved into what is, in my opinion, the really good stuff. candid moments. true emotions. real connections. We took photos of Selina by herself, with Jeremy, and with the boys. We took photos of the entire family together, of Jeremy with the boys, and of just the boys. I tried my best to capture every family combination that we had time for. To keep the boys entertained throughout the hour-long family maternity session, we gave both of them “magic sticks” to carry around. These sticks, which are definitely included in the photos, were a bit of a god-send. They helped keep the children engaged and smiling. When the session was over, I was amused to see that both boys’ sticks were brought back to the cars with them! For the full hour we were outside, the threat of rain was very real. As I mentioned previously, the sky was filled with storm clouds. Personally, and I know I have mentioned this in previous posts, cloudy skies make for some of my favorite photos. The soft lighting takes away from distracting shadows and seems to really enhance the colors in a photo. This particular sky set the mood for the Hafner's photos. It added to the emotion in each photo and supported the session in every way. In fact, the first rain drop didn't fall until we took the very last photo, and the actual rain didn't start until we had reached our cars and were saying our goodbyes. I am completely in love with this gallery. My friends are beautiful. Their family is beautiful. I can't wait to meet their new little in the coming months and to see how their family continues to evolve over the years. Now, excuse me while I admire their entire gallery for the umpteenth time, drooling over each photo, laughing at the incredibly cute and goofy smiles from the boys, and feeling so blessed to have this family in my life after all of these years. A few of my typical side notes: Schedule your maternity session with Pábitel Photography today! I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out my services to learn more about what sessions I offer. To be the first to hear about new blog posts, business updates, and promotions, make sure to subscribe to my mailing list by filling out the subscription box listed below my contact form. Read about my recent publications.

Anyone who knows me, knows that picking up on vibes is my thing. Oftentimes, I can read a person’s energy as easily as I might read a children’s book. Whether I listen to my inner voice or not, my first impression about someone is almost always correct. In everyday life, I would say this is a much-needed survival skill that I ignore more than I should, but when it comes to preparing for a photo session, I lean on this talent and use it to help craft the perfect session for my clients. Be it maternity photos , engagement photos, or boudoir photos, I always try to gather a true sense of my model's personality and taste. I reflect on all of my interactions with the model, even if those interactions are just through email. Did they seem relaxed or anxious? Do they seem like they prefer quiet or a lot of attention? Will playing games during their session help them relax, or make them more nervous for their photos? Using this information, I head over to Pinterest and scroll through photos for inspiration until something CLICKS (like really- it’s another gut thing). Once I find a fitting aesthetic for the given session, I create a vision board for inspiration and run through any prompts (games, conversation pieces, thought provoking questions) that I have used in the past or have been waiting to try to see if any fit well with the vibe I have picked up on from my model. It’s a whole process, you guys. The preparation for Kaylee and Jeff’s engagement photos in Frankenmuth, Michigan was no different. Because Kaylee was my coworker at my full-time job in Frankenmuth, I had a tiny bit of a head start on this process. I knew Kaylee to be somewhat quiet at work, a little silly, and very sweet. In discussing her engagement to Jeff and her wedding plans, I picked up on a couple of other items as well. 1) Kaylee was keeping her wedding plans simple. To me, this signified that her and Jeff would be more relaxed during their engagement photo session and easy to work with (I was right.). 2) Jeff proposed to Kaylee on the Holz-Brücke, Frankenmuth’s wooden covered bridge, on Christmas Day. This little bit of heartwarming information told me that Kaylee and Jeff’s love was sweet and that they had a love for their home. Upon talking to Kaylee, she confirmed that Jeff and her were not afraid to show affection towards one another in public and that they would like to have their photos taken in Frankenmuth, and specifically, on the Holz-Brücke. Taking all of this information into consideration, my vision board for Kaylee and Jeff’s engagement session was filled with cute poses for bridge photos, piggy back rides, physically active prompts, and super cuddly seated poses. The aesthetic was perfect. At the time of their session, the weather was flawless. Golden hour was beautiful. Frankenmuth was relatively people-free for a nice, spring weekend. Everything was immaculate. And then, I met up with Kaylee and Jeff. Imagine my surprise when one of the first things Kaylee said to me at the start of their engagement photo session was, “So, Jeff fell down the stairs yesterday and is in a back brace. We might not be able to do any sitting poses or piggy back rides!” I couldn’t help but laugh and immediately think about how grateful I was for my preparation, because while I had planned to do many photos that Jeff now couldn’t participate in, I had also planned out some adorably cuddly standing poses. their engagement photos in frankenmuth, michigan Regardless of this change in plans, Kaylee and Jeff’s engagement session was great! As I mentioned before, we met just before golden hour at the wooden covered bridge in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The sky, which had been threatening us with rain all day, cleared up in the hour before we started, making for magical spots of light throughout Frankenmuth. To kickoff their engagement photos, we took a few photos near and on the Holz-Brücke in honor of Jeff’s perfect Christmas proposal, and from there, moved on to what I think must be one of the prettiest spots in Frankenmuth. The sun sparkled through the leaves into this small semi-isolated area on the Cass River where a blossom-filled tree stood. Someone else must have appreciated this spot too, because the ground around the trunk of the tree was covered in roses, tulips, and sunflowers from, what we’re guessing, was a romantic proposal from a couple of days prior. We were able to use some of these flowers as props for Kaylee and Jeff’s photos, and even better yet, Jeff was able to sit for a couple of poses without being in too much pain! We spent the rest of their hour and a half engagement photo session walking through Frankenmuth’s Heritage Park along the Cass River. It’s filled with gorgeous weeping willows and lush green grass. Estevan and I actually had our engagement photos taken in Heritage Park too, but ours were in the winter, and the park looked completely different with snowflakes and bare trees. Compared to our winter photos, Kaylee and Jeff’s engagement photos look as if they were taken in another world! The amount of green and sunlight in their photos brought a whole new energy to their gallery. One thing I really appreciated about this session was how much the lighting varied from location to location. We had areas of the park that were in direct sunlight, some areas that were shaded, and eventually, slightly clouded skies as well. This created varying challenges in taking the photos, but also varying levels of beautiful vibrancy in the photos themselves! Additionally, this session allowed for plenty of black and white photos. While I am a total sucker for color, I love myself a high contrast, high emotion, black and white photo. Because the grass was so bright, and Kaylee and Jeff wore light colors, the high contrast needed for a black and white photo was automatically there. Add in their laughter and their love for each other, and all I could see was the need to create black and white masterpieces! At one point during their session, I had Kaylee and Jeff walk through Heritage Park as if they were drunk. They held hands, bumped into each other, laughed, and spun each other around. I managed to capture several quick shots of these little moments. Kaylee and Jeff were so sweet and so fun to work with! Their wedding is in just a couple of weeks, and I couldn't be happier for them. I can't wait to capture more moments for their little family in the future and to see how their love grows over time. Thank you, Kaylee and Jeff, for such a beautiful night and for letting me into your lives! A few of my typical side notes: Schedule your engagement session with Pábitel Photography today! I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out my services to learn more about what sessions I offer. To be the first to hear about new blog posts, business updates, and promotions, make sure to subscribe to my mailing list by filling out the subscription box listed below my contact form. View the Hafner family's lifestyle maternity photos on the blog.

If you have been following Pábitel Photography for awhile, you know I love supporting small businesses. As a small business owner myself, I am so passionate about supporting creatives and innovators who truly make it happen. Not only do these individuals come up with the idea behind their product or service, but they are often the ones who operate the small business too. There is so much that comes with running a small business besides the product. I know in my case, I am fulfilling every role in my business by myself. I update my website, reply to emails, write these blog posts, draft newsletters, take the photos, edit the photos, package orders, keep track of finances, and so much more. This is why whenever I am shopping for something new, whether it be a gift or for myself, I look first to independent vendors before moving on to larger corporations. There is just something special about knowing you are truly impacting someone's business, life, and even community with your dollar! Together, Estevan and I were able to support over 10 small businesses this holiday season! I am so proud of this accomplishment and am definitely aiming to beat this number in the new year. In the meantime, I have compiled a list of the companies we shopped with this year along with a brief description of their services and locations. The holidays may be coming to a close, but I know just about every month hits you with at least one birthday or celebration worthy of gift-giving. the list Color Incorporated - I personally use Color Inc. Labs all of the time. They do such beautiful work and are my go-to when it comes to printing any photo. This company does work with photography businesses only, but if you are a photographer who creates an account with them, they will develop any photo you have the rights to print. We used Color Inc. Labs to gift our family members with wedding photos this year and were extremely pleased with the turn-out. Color Incorporated can be found online and is based in Grandville, Michigan. JEAAWoodworks - This one is a fun one! As far as I am aware, this shop can only be found through Etsy and Instagram. JEAAWoodworks is located in Florida where shop members Jack, Erin, and Alexis create handmade furniture for dolls up to 18" tall in their smoke- and pet-free workshop. They describe their products as "solid pieces of furniture that are built better than real furniture you might purchase in a furniture store." This shop is the perfect place to find a gift for your American Girl doll lover. Or, in my case, the perfect place to find a Festivus Pole miniature for my Seinfeld loving husband! Meadow Ceramics - I have been following and admiring Meadow Ceramics on Instagram for awhile now. This Christmas, I ordered my first piece from Caroline's shop and now that I have seen one of her platters in person, I can confidently say that her work is extraordinary! Each piece she creates is one of a kind with no two pieces sharing the same colors, pattern, or shape. Based in Denmark, Caroline describes her stoneware as "organic and Nordic with a hint of something natural and mysterious." Meadow Ceramics can be found online. If you choose to order from Caroline's shop, make sure to check product dimensions! Some of her pieces are smaller than you might expect but worth every penny! Hemleva - This is another brand that I have been following on Instagram for awhile and finally purchased from this year! Samantha has several different products available, almost all of them focused around plants. Her art can be purchased in the form of stickers, pins, key chains, stationary, and Himmeli, "a traditional Finnish ornament, a mobile decoration that is usually made out of straw." I personally purchased her suncatcher window stickers, buying two for myself and one for each of my sisters. You can often find photos of the rainbow the stickers create in my apartment or car in my Instagram stories! Samantha's products can be purchased through Etsy, Instagram, or her website . She is located in Seattle. Blue Bridge Games - Blue Bridge Games is a brick and mortar located right here in Grand Rapids, Michigan! Not only is the store local-local, but it is also woman-led! My husband has been supporting this shop for a couple of years now, (they opened in 2019), and this year we chose to purchase a D&D book through them as a gift to one of my brother-in-laws. It's a small and welcoming shop filled with board games and more. They do not currently offer shipping, but if you are ever in the area, you can order online and pick up in-store! Sandy Ridge Farm - Estevan and I found this family owned and operated business this year at Chesaning's Candle Walk this last year. We were blown away learning that Sandy Ridge Farm is located in Owosso, Michigan, only 15 minutes from my hometown! Sandy Ridge Farm can be found on Facebook and at Farmer's Markets. To see if they will be at a Farmer's Market near you, make sure to follow their page as they announce upcoming markets through Facebook! The farm offers baked goods, meats, and our favorite: maple syrup! The booth we visited at the Candle Walk was filled with several different maple products ranging from syrup to maple syrup flavored cotton candy! Uncle John's Cider Mill - A cider mill always makes for a great time and a visit to one can make a nice gift all on its own. Perhaps one of the larger small businesses we supported this year, Uncle John's offers more than just fresh doughnuts and cider. Located in Saint Johns, Michigan, Uncle John's has many great gift items in addition to their regularly offered activities. Not only do they sell the essentials (cider, doughnuts, pie, etc.), but Uncle John's also carries products from other local businesses as well such as candles, kitchenware, and clothing. Dorothy and Tony's Gourmet Specialties - This is another Michigan business! We discovered this company during one of our trips to Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids and have already visited it a second time. The shop, located across from Starbucks, is filled with unique sodas along with Dorothy and Tony's gourmet kettle corn. Estevan loves going in and finding new flavors of pop; his current favorite is an Elderberry soda! URWizards - Etsy really understands how much I love wood and glass working. Even before I knew my sister-in-law had an item from this shop on her wishlist, Etsy was feeding me advertisements of URWizards' beautiful wooden dice boxes. The wood box we ordered was stunning, and if you look closer at the shop's work and products, you'll find that their dice are beautiful as well. Located in China, Rebecca and Joshua's products can be found on Etsy, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or through their company's website. Full Circle Farms - I found this small business at the Chesaning craft sales on Thanksgiving weekend. The owners, Jim and Crystal, were extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They talked to my mother and me for several minutes about their different skin care products such as lotions and soaps. Full Circle Farms is a "free ranging, grass fed, pasture based, multi-species endeavor focused on sustainable and regenerative agriculture," and is based out of Lakeview, Michigan. In additional to skin care products, the farm also sells meats, hair products, flowers, and paintings. Full Circle Farms can be found online here. Diceify - I found this one through Uncommon Goods, one of my favorite sites to shop for gifts. Since then, I have found Diceify's website as well. From their name, one might suspect that this company has a little something to do with dice, right? Well, yes, but not in the way you might guess. Diceify sells wooden dice designed to help you choose what to watch or to drink. Estevan and I have a huge list of shows we are trying to knock out right now, but when it comes to finding something new or a movie to watch, we are often stumped. I bought their Streaming Service Dice to help with this and now, whenever we want, we just have to roll the set to figure out what is on the menu for the night! A few of my typical side notes: This blog post is NOT sponsored by any of the aforementioned businesses. I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out my services to learn more about what session types I provide. To be the first to hear about new blog posts, business updates, and promotions, make sure to subscribe to my mailing list by filling out the subscription box listed below my contact form. The 2022 calendar, "simple pleasures on mackinac," is out now. You can see the photos included in this calendar here . To have it shipped directly to you, please visit my Etsy listing. Contact me with any questions! Read about my Christmas session with Samantha!

Before I dive into this session's details, and keep you here for about five minutes, I want to get one thing out of the way: SAMANTHA'S OUTFIT. If you read my blog regularly, you know this is something I am bound to talk about no matter what. I love a good outfit. Outfits can completely make or break a session. That’s why photographers like myself will provide client wardrobes (mine is in the works, and I am open to any donations one might have!) , a styling guide, and even assist in selecting client outfits. This session didn't require any of the above though! When Samantha’s mother first contacted me on November 27th to see if I had availability for a Christmas photo session in Frankenmuth, Michigan, she already had Samantha’s outfit selected. I was told Samantha would be wearing a red coat and beret. This sounded perfect to me. Then, when I actually met up with them for their session on December 2nd and saw Samantha in her Christmas outfit, I found myself thinking, “This is absolutely unbelievable.” Samantha looked incredible! Not only did her outfit suit her so perfectly, but it screamed Christmas. Backed by sparkling lights and a town filled with reds and whites, her outfit coordinated with the scene so effortlessly. Now, if you are really great at putting two and two together, you might have noticed that I mentioned November 27th as being the date that I was contacted for this session. You probably also realized that today is only December 9th. Yes, that means that Samantha’s Christmas photos were taken and finished in only about 12 days! Similar to Hillary and Craig’s fall family session in Grand Ledge, Michigan this last October, Samantha's session was planned last minute and extremely quickly. In fact, this session was planned even quicker than Hillary and Craig’s! It also has a few elements that are not typical of Pábitel Photography. Here is a breakdown of this Christmas session’s timeline with the unique details italicized: November 27th - Samantha’s mother messaged me on Instagram to ask if I photograph children in Frankenmuth and whether I had availability for the upcoming weekend (December 2nd through the 4th). Clearly, I had the availability! I quickly sent her my pricing guide as well as pricing for a limited session of 30 minutes. We discussed a few more details such as times and what aesthetic we wanted these Christmas photos to have. November 28th - I emailed the contract. November 29th - The contract was signed and the session was paid in full. December 1st - I emailed over a recap of the session details along with an updated time and location of where to meet for the session. December 2nd - We did the thing! We met at 4:40 for a half hour session filled with glowing Christmas lights and bright colors. So, as I have said in the past, as long as you are able to find a photographer with availability, planning a last minute session does not have to be difficult! The outfit, location, and times can be selected easily with a little bit of effort and great communication. Looking at these photos, I bet you would have never guessed this session was planned in only about five days! christmas photos in frankenmuth, michigan Finding the right location for this session was a little more obvious than with most sessions I have had and for a very exciting (to me) reason too! Samantha’s family was on vacation! I am still so humbled, grateful, and even floored that they were willing to take time out of their vacation to spend it with my camera and me. As most Michiganders know, Frankenmuth, Michigan is a tourist town. It is actually one of the busiest towns in the state with festivals every weekend in the summer and crowds from all over the world visiting. Known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria, this quaint town is modeled after the home of the German settlers that originally founded Frankenmuth. Frankenmuth is also home to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store. With this claim to fame, it is no wonder that Frankemuth is a worldwide Christmas destination. While Bronner's keeps their Christmas lights up year round, the rest of the town does not light up until mid-November. As many of you know, I worked at a hotel in Frankenmuth for three years and have had my fair share of complaints about the town, but one thing I will absolutely never tire of are the Christmas lights. Frankenmuth is absolutely beautiful at Christmastime. Every building, pole, and tree is lit up with sparkling white lights. Lights even hang over the Main street as well, and in more recent years, the town has created “Instagram Selfie Stations,” two of which we made use of during our time together. On top of Samantha’s family having been on vacation in Frankenmuth, they are also from out of state, making them the first group of people I have worked with who do not live in Michigan! Apparently my Instagram hashtags are working too, because Samantha’s mother found my business through Instagram after having searched #frankenmuthphotographer! the session When photographing young children, it is important to let them lead the session. If you don’t, it is very likely you may end up with an unhappy model! Luckily, this didn’t happen with Samantha. She was so sweet and such an incredible listener. Every time we went to take a photo in a new spot, I would give her a small instruction and then let her do her thing. For instance, we had Samantha mail Santa a letter. I told her which way to stand and then took a few steps back to capture the moment as she moved around how she felt comfortable while doing it. Samantha’s mother and I were aiming for a magical Christmas glow with these photos, with inspiration coming from photographer Meg Loeks’ work. One of the pieces we especially took inspiration from made use of a window front’s light to create a warm glow on the model. In trying to recreate this photo, I think this may have been the one spot we lost Samantha’s focus. We started at the window by taking a zoomed in photo (pictured below), but when I changed my lens to take a photo from a distance, Samantha was ready to move on to a new spot! The window shot still turned out beautiful though, and we were able to capture many more magical photos of her throughout town. Samantha’s mother also had the genius idea of taking photos outside Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth. Not only is this an iconic dinner destination in Michigan’s Little Bavaria, but it is also a striking white building that decorates impeccably for the holidays. Samantha’s red coat and black beret looked gorgeous backed by this setting, and we were able to create such magic by simply having her sit in front of it. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. While I don’t normally photograph children or do limited sessions, this Christmas session was a breath of fresh air. It was both a session with a couple of firsts for me (out of state family, being found on Instagram, etc.) and a session where I was able to be really creative with my editing and use of light. Thank you, Samantha, for being the perfect little model, and thank you, Samantha’s family, for taking a chance on me and for allowing me to steal you away from your vacation for a little bit. A few of my typical side notes: I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out my services to learn more about what session types I provide. To be the first to hear about new blog posts, business updates, and promotions, make sure to subscribe to my mailing list by filling out the subscription box listed below my contact form. The 2022 calendar, "simple pleasures on mackinac," is out now. You can see the photos included in this calendar here . To have it shipped directly to you, please visit my Etsy listing. Contact me with any questions! Read about my fall family session with the Feathers family.

As a couples photographer, it is rare that a family of three or more pops up on my social media accounts or blog. I am always drawn to emotion though, be it a couple’s love for each other or the love of a family. As long as the emotion is genuine, I’m in my happy zone. I adore the realness. In this matter, and in all other matters and situations, my time with the Feathers was a treat. Their Fall family photo session at Lincoln Brick County Park in Grand Ledge, Michigan was filled with love, laughter, and all of the facial expressions and connection I look forward to capturing in a session. Believe it or not, this family session was planned fairly last minute. Hillary had mentioned halfway through September that she was considering having Fall photos taken, but we were not able to begin any of our planning until the end of the month. We scheduled the session to take place on October 10th, meaning by time we started talking about the session, it was already only a handful of days away! Here is a brief run down of our quick planning for the Feathers' family photo session: September 15th - Hillary contacted me saying she may want family photos in October. I was about to leave on vacation, so we decided to wait until I was back in Michigan to begin planning her photo session. September 30th - Hillary sent me sample photos of what she was hoping to get out of her session. The photos were filled with pumpkins, trees, bright smiles, and a cute wagon. That same day, I sent her my investment guide and we discussed possible dates for the family session. October 2nd - I sent Hillary the name of Lincoln Brick County Park to see if the park looked like a location she would be interested in having her family session at. Neither of us had visited this park in person before. October 3rd - We confirmed that, online, Lincoln Brick County Park looked like it would be the perfect location for a fall session. October 4th - I emailed the contract and model release to Hillary for signing. October 5th - I went home to my parents’ house where my props are currently stored. My sister and I went through a bag of fabric I have for sessions and pulled out anything that even remotely hinted at “Fall.” A huge shout-out to Rosie (my sister) who suggested I take a look at an old straw-like rocking horse in the basement. What. A. Genius. I might not have had a wagon like the one in the inspiration photos Hillary had originally sent me, but this straw horse would be a perfect and unique replacement. The rocking horse has been in our family’s home as long as I can remember. I’m sure my mom is holding onto it in the hopes of one day having grandchildren, but for now, it serves as such a perfect prop for photos involving young children or toddlers. It has actually been in the back of my mind for a while now. I see it every once in a while when I gather other photography supplies from the basement, and I think to myself, “This would be such a cute prop,” but when the time came to put that idea into play, it didn’t cross my mind until Rosie spoke up. On this day, Hillary decided to pick up pumpkins for the session too. October 6th - I sent Hillary photos of each piece of fabric I had picked up from home. This way, she could see what colors the materials were and could coordinate her family’s clothes with the ones she liked. October 9th - Hillary texted me worried about the 80 degree weather expected the next day. She was wondering how we were going to pull off Fall photos when Fall clothes couldn’t necessarily be worn comfortably. I sent Hillary photos from Pinterest of coordinating colors and clothing options. October 10th - THE DAY OF THE SESSION! Hillary sent me photos of possible clothing items for each member of her family. As you can see in her photos, the clothing pieces she selected were perfect! I believe she bought her shirt on the ninth, but Craig’s and their little one’s clothing items were already in their closets. That means that on the DAY OF her family session, Hillary flawlessly completed what can typically be described as a stressful task. All of this to say, Hillary and I planned the most amazing session in less than TEN days. So, if you’re reading this and thinking about how you haven’t had photos with your significant other, family, or even just yourself in a long time, it is never too late to dive in and take the leap! The biggest obstacle will be finding a photographer who is available when you are. Once you have a session booked though, it really can be easy going from there on out. It doesn’t have to be stressful. Everything comes together in the end when there is clear communication! the fall family photo session Lincoln Brick County Park was better than I could have imagined. If anyone wants to make a trip over there for their own session, hit me up! I arrived just a few minutes before the session started, and because I managed to miss the very-easy-to-see parking lot, I was able to drive around the perimeter of the park. There are so, so many other options for photo session locations within this park including the remains of the old brick factory the park is named after. The section of the park we took photos at was in the very front. As soon as we parked, we looked in front of us to find a beautiful “hammock” area with rows of trees and fallen orange leaves. We set up the rocking horse and the pumpkins there so that they were close to the car for easy clean up after we were done. Everything came together so smoothly with this set and location. It was adorable , and while I do focus on couples and maternity sessions, I have to admit that I am definitely tempted to do mini sessions next Fall modeled after this session! Once we finished up with the pumpkins, we moved over to a prairie-like section of the park where we took photos with the long prairie grasses as our backdrop. As the sun began to sink behind the trees, we were lucky enough to snag some warm light and rose-orange skies (see the cutest and silliest photo towards the top of this post) too. I am incredibly lucky to have been blessed with so many wonderful sessions. Every time I write a blog post, I find myself saying the same things: “the lighting was perfect,” “there was so much emotion,” “their outfits were amazing.” It may be repetitive, but so far in my photography journey, it has been true. I can’t thank the Feathers family enough for providing me with the opportunity to say all of this again. Their session and their gallery (like their last one) was breathtaking, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to see their love for each other continue to grow in the years to come. A few of my typical side notes: I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out my services to learn more about what session types I provide. To be the first to hear about new blog posts, business updates, and promotions, make sure to subscribe to my mailing list by filling out the subscription box listed below my contact form. The 2022 calendar, "simple pleasures on mackinac," is out now. You can see the photos included in this calendar here . To have it shipped directly to you, please visit my Etsy listing. Contact me with any questions! Stay tuned for early "Black Friday" specials and contests in November. Announcements will be made through my newsletter, Instagram, and Facebook.