Glen Haven Engagement | Mathieu + Madalyn

A serene evening out on Lake Michigan. What more could you ask for?

We love engagement sessions for so many reasons. Oftentimes it’s our only chance to meet our couples face to face prior to their wedding day. Such was the case with Matt and Maddie so we chatted for a bit in the parking lot behind the old red Glen Haven Canning Co. building before jumping into photos.

The initial ‘hi, how are you’ turned quickly into laughing together and inside jokes that would come up later between us all on their wedding day. As we explored Glen Haven together, feeling the sand beneath our feet, watching the sun filter through the trees, and hiking the dunes as the moon rose, we dove into their love story and learned more about them as a couple. These two are so comfortable and at ease together, like they were always meant to be, which of course made photographing them ridiculously easy.

Hannah and Zorran | Five Year anniversary

Zorran reached out to surprise Hannah with a couples session for their five year anniversary. Bathed in the golden sunlight of late spring, we met them first for a couple family photos with their new baby boy before leaving him the loving and caring arms of his grandma. Then with just the two of them, we explored some nearby trails as the sun came out and painted the clouds purple at sunset. It’s the second year in a row we’ve done anniversary photos for Zorran and Hannah (check out last year’s blogpost here), and we definitely hope it becomes a tradition, because it is always such an honor to photograph these two and their love.

Foggy Senior Portraits | Zoe

Northern Michigan weather is notorious for being unpredictable. But oh how magical it can be when we learn to embrace it.

When we reached out to Zoe about the rainy forecast she simply told us that she trusted us and she didn’t mind getting rained on a little bit. So we packed up our umbrellas and headed out to Port Oneida where we were met with the most moody and romantic foggy weather. The sun came out for a bit between the layers of fog, then sulked away for a few minutes of rain, peeked back out again, and then created the most gorgeous pink hue behind the clouds at sunset. The fog was so thick that the sky and the water blended into one as Zoe stood along the shore, gazing out at the horizon.

2025 family on film | a year in review

It’s that time of year again! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite family moments captured on film. From snowy winter walks, coffee at home and at our favorite shops, sunny summer days in Northern Michigan, and a family vacation to Virginia in mid-October. We opted for film more than digital this year to document our 2025 memories. It’s a practice in patience and intentionality so when we finally get the scans back, it feels like a little treat going through and reliving those sweet memories. We want to take you along through some of those moments. We hope you enjoy!

Luke + Alayna Engagement

Every engagement and wedding story we photograph is a joy and privilege to be invited into. But there’s an extra layer of honor involved when we have the opportunity to photograph our friends.

I (Sarah) have known Luke and his family since before he was born. Our mothers were best friends as teenagers and the friendship continued as the families grew. To grow up together and witness different milestone moments in each other’s lives made it even more special when he and Alayna reached out about photography.

A very very early spring day found us out at Port Oneida with these two for their engagement session. Snow still on the ground in some areas, but they had each other to keep warm while the wind swirled furiously and waves crashed along the shore. We got to cheer them on up close and personal as we witnessed them interact at their engagement session. They laugh together and tease one another, but they also build each other up and help each other become the best versions of themselves. It’s evident that at the root of their relationship they are genuinely best friends.

Sam + Mimi | Proposal at The Mill

From the very moment that Sam called us to share his proposal vision, we were fully invested.

He shared all about their love for Northern Michigan and specifically his dream of proposing at The Mill in Glen Arbor. They would celebrate afterward with dinner at Farm Club. Sam made the plan to take Mimi up North for the weekend and the scene was set (thanks to the wonderful team at The Mill) with flowers and candles on the deck overlooking the river. Here, he surprised her with the sweetest proposal followed by the coziest engagement photos both inside and outside the cafe.

These photos from last year transport us right back to those joyful moments. The sound of the river, the smell of fresh brewed coffee, and the glow of the sunlight pouring through the windows. Sam and Mimi instantly felt like friends and they were so easy to celebrate. It was such an honor to have witnessed and documented this milestone in their lives.