Kendra Warren {2013 Senior Model Mini-Session}

It is so fun planning out the summer and it's exciting looking forward to picking our Senior Models for each new school year.  We look for someone friendly, outgoing and personable, as well as someone who is willing to have fun and be relaxed in front of the camera.  When we met Kendra in the Spring at our church district's Fine Arts competition, we immediately thought she'd make an excellent rep.  Of course, her gorgeous red hair and bright green/blue eyes were also a big draw because of how striking we knew she'd look in camera.  We were thrilled when she said yes after we asked if she'd be our model!

Getting to know Kendra has been so much fun since she is such a talented and gifted young lady.  She is well known at her school for her successful nail and make-up business, Kb Nail Design, she plays the flute, she is super active at her church and in her youth group, she loves girly things, but is not afraid to get down and dirty.  She is a very well-rounded, solidly planted young lady, and she has a genuine smile that truly lights up a room.  We loved how adventuresome she was during our photoshoot, and how she and her sister had scouted out some great, new locations for us to try.  The most beautiful was the small stream and dam they found nestled at the back of their subdivision.  Kendra did not even hesitate taking off her shoes and wading into the chilly water for some really cool shots by the falls.  Of course, Kevin and I were completely on board the idea of getting out into the river to get something different and unique.  :)

Our senior models get a free mini-session in the spring/early summer so they have images to advertise and share, and our session with Kendra was last week.  We love these short little sessions, but we are always left anticipating our full session with them in the fall/winter.  Although our time with Kendra was limited, she was so easy to work with and we were able to capture a great variety of really stunning images.  Here is just a few of our favorites from the mini-session:

Kendra nearly stepped on this turtle as we were packing up our gear to climb out of the water.  I was impressed that she didn't even hesitate to pick it up and pose with it.  That's my kind of girl!  :)
~ Kevin & Heather Autry

David + Rebecca {Engaged!}

Earlier this year, we launched a HUGE wedding giveaway where one engaged couple could win a complete wedding package with full wedding day coverage, an amazing engagement session, a CD of all of their wedding proofs, plus a whole lot more for free!  The competition was intense and the voting was neck-to-neck all the way to the very end, but we would like to introduce to you our winning couple - David Schmitke and Rebecca Schneemann!!!

Last Tuesday we went out for a night-on-the-town in Downtown Ann Arbor, and enjoyed the opportunity to connect and get to know David and Becca as we captured timeless images of their relationship.  We loved having the opportunity to learn a new area of Ann Arbor, as well as enjoy a fabulous dinner with David and Becca at Zingerman's Deli.  Becca works at Zingerman's Roadhouse so she was our tour guide through the Zingerman's experience.  And what a yummy experience it was!  If you've never been to this Ann Arbor classic - definitely put it on your bucket list.  :)

Enjoy these few teaser images from David and Becca's engagement session, and stay tuned in late August for images from their wedding!

And one last fun, completely candid shot, just because ...  :)

~ Kevin & Heather

Taylor Buis {2012 Senior}

We have been planning Taylor's portrait session for months and months, and it seemed to be one of the most challenging sessions to nail down on the calendar.  Taylor had to reschedule once, the weather didn't cooperate twice, BUT we did get to spend an entire evening with Taylor last week - FINALLY!  :)  The time with Taylor was fun and we loved capturing her eclectic style and personality.  She is so laid back and easy-going that it made our evening simply relaxing and enjoyable.

For our session together we had fun exploring some of the back corners of Howell and Brighton.  We visited an abandoned old house, a DNR tree farm, Bishop Lake, and even used the new landscaping in our front yard to stage some portraits.  Taylor and her puppies were the first ones to use the new split-rail fence, boulders and flowers as backdrops to their portraits, but it's our intention to have it available to any others who may want the look.  We're happy to travel anywhere for photography of course, but it's nice to have photo-worthy locations right in your own backyard too.  :)

Enjoy these few teasers from our portrait session with Taylor and be sure to let her know how beautiful she looks!

~ Kevin & Heather

Keira Polk {2012 Senior}

Keira is another one of our 2012 Franklin Road Christian School Seniors and we absolutely loved getting to know her during our portrait session together!  After our session we'd easily describe her as quiet and confident, sophisticated and laid back, down-to-earth and GORGEOUS!  Keira really was a wonderful model and we easily filled the evening with various locations, outfits and poses.  As a result, we ended up with WAY TOO MANY proofs and had a very hard time narrowing down the best.  Here are just a few samples of our favorites from the evening, but there were so many more good ones!

~ Kevin & Heather

Noah & Audri {Married!}

Noah and Audri are two crazy lovebirds and it's so much fun to be around them both - their love and joy is contagious!  Their love story actually reminds me a bit of mine and Kevin, and I feel a closer attachment to them even more because of it:  They met and fell in love while working with the youth at church (yep, same with Kevin and I).  They got married young and while still in college (yep, same with Kevin and I).  They have big dreams and big plans for their future (yep, same with Kevin and I).  I wish for them the same love and strong relationship that comes from a marriage built on faith, friendship and forgiveness.

Noah and Audri were blessed with a gorgeous April afternoon for their wedding and we took full advantage of the gorgeous blue skies and bright sun to capture some quick images between the cermeony and the reception.  It was easy capturing red hot romance between Noah and Audri - they just needed an excuse to spend some quality one-on-one time together after such a busy day!

Enjoy these few teasers of their wedding day and be sure to leave some words of love and congratulations for the bride and groom.

~ Kevin & Heather