JUDAH + SELAH AND THEIR AMAZINGLY STRONG FAMILY

For Mother's Day today, I thought I would feature one of the strongest moms I know. Her wonderful support system. And her adorable fighting little twins. You can read more about them on her blog: Judah + Selah. There is way too much to summarize on a little blog post and I know I wouldn't do her justice. Pictures are my strong suit. So, I'll let her tell her own story.

Love you, Shonda Kay. Happiest Mother's Day.

LITTLE MOMENTS - WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY NINJA

SHE CAUGHT ME! When I am shooting events, I get into a zone. And I'm sure I'm not alone. Should I throw in a line about a eating a scone? Sorry, couldn't resist a little pointless rhyming. Back to the zone. By nature, I am an observer. Even when I'm out with friends or family in social situations, you'll more often than not find me people watching quietly and only drawing attention to myself periodically if I have some sort of smartass sarcastic remark to contribute. Unless Mmmbop comes on the radio and then it's a one woman karaoke show. Wait, what was I talking about? Oh yeah. Photography. Zones.

Right. Well. One of the first thing I tell couples inquiring about hiring me to photograph their wedding or other event is that my shooting style is almost entirely documentary. Fly on the wall. Photojournalistic. You've heard all those buzz words, I'm sure. When I have a camera in my hand in situations where stories unfold, I like to be ignored. And sometimes, my brides and grooms actually do forget that I'm the hired photographer and say something, "Oh, sorry I almost bumped into you, I forgot you were here." Which is awesome. Because I'm kind of a ninja like that. But every so often, when I'm in my people watching zone, I get caught. And sometimes it ends up being really cute. Like this little guest. In the split second it took me to raise my Leica to my eye and focus the lens, she turned and made eye contact with me. And then the half second later it took me to re-cock the rewind lever and take a step closer, she bashfully buried her sweet little face in the safety of her Mama's neck.





So, I smiled and said a quick hello before moving on to the next wedding reception paparazzi moment. This reception took place in a spectacular tent on the grounds of Michigan State's Tollgate Farm grounds last autumn. Such a beautiful venue.

BETHANY AND FAMILY MINI MATERNITY SESSION - MICHIGAN BIRTH PHOTOGRAPHY

I am so excited to document this homebirth. Maybe tonight. Maybe tomorrow morning. Maybe three weeks from now. But I am officially on-call and filled with the excitement and anticipation that comes every time I photograph a birth story. You'd think I was the one giving birth, that's how antsy I get when my Mama clients' due date ranges roll around. Eep!













Bethany reminds me a lot of myself. And hey, we even have the same primary Midwife, Stacia Proefrock from Trillium Birth Services in Ann Arbor. She had her first baby in a hospital and then chose to deliver at home for her second. When I was hanging out with this family during their pregnancy shoot, I just kept looking at little Evie and picturing when my son was about her age as we were about to welcome his little sister into the world. Being home for the birth (though she may be counting sheep like my little dude was through most of my late night laboring) during the labor and delivery of her little sibling will be such a neat experience for her and I love that she will be able to look back at the photos I take and see what a strong and awesome mother she has. Bethany also had a few things to say about taking pride in her pregnant body. Her confidence is pretty damn inspiring, eh? Love this chick.



"Because I am greatly passionate about this whole birthing process, I not only want to capture this experience for our own personal reflection but to celebrate it in its fullness. I want to capture the marks I bear, the weight I've gained and the shape in which my body has changed. These are often looked bad upon and because of that I want to remind myself, and anyone who comes in contact with these photos, to embrace these changes....you created human life! Capturing the rawness, beauty, intimacy, and the over all realness in the stillness of photographs speaks volumes to the truly amazing process of birthing. Celebrate! Because there is nothing greater than the power of a birthing woman!"

NICK + AMBER LOVERS PORTRAITS - DETROIT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Nick is a tattoo artist at Signature Tattoo. Amber is a kickass hair stylist. Together they make up two parts of a rad little family with their son Oliver, who happened to be taking a nap during their session. And I just adore their quaint Ferndale home.

JANE'S OLD HOLLYWOOD INSPIRED INTIMATES - DETROIT BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHER

Jane is officially my favorite redheaded Canadian. Her freckles kill me. She crossed the border to my neck of the woods for her portraits, which was a little unusual for me because I typically shoot on location in my clients' homes. But we had a lot of fun and she looked super foxy all glammed up with professional hair and make up from one of my awesome on-site stylists.

And of course, wrapping up her session by hopping on her iPhone to post about it. Haha.