Light Garden Photography

29/10/2024

That expecting parent glow. ✨

Ashley and Matt looked so peaceful loving on their baby girl under the changing autumn leaves of the Nichols Arboretum. 🌾

We strolled trails and found a hidden meadow with the dreamiest light for portraits, all while enjoying the beginnings of autumn and talking all things baby!

🫶🏼 They lovingly await their sweet baby’s arrival this December! She is already so very cherished.

28/10/2024

🥂 A glimpse into Alyssa + Kevin’s heartfelt wedding day at Pine K**b Mansion, Carriage House and Golf Club.

17/10/2024

A moment for Megan. 🤍✨

09/10/2024

Let me ask you something…

When was the last time you made time to do your favorite activity? 🤔

The last time you let your inner child play and explore?

When I was younger, I had an insatiable curiosity for the arts. An endless desire to get my mits on any project I could dream up.

Then adulthood came knocking. Responsibility, worry, bills, career goals… and it overshadowed my desire to play as I’m sure it did for many of you.

Now that my daughter is here, looking up at me with those sparkling blue eyes, full of wonder… my creative spirit is reawakened and calls out to me with great fortitude! 🗣️

Play! Dream! Laugh! Create! Dance! Show your daughter the beauty and delight of this world!

So I remind myself, and any of you if you also find yourself here, that it’s never too late to begin again. Dust off that old instrument, pull out those old paint brushes, grab your bestie and piece together that coreographed dance from high school just for a laugh…

Because life is for living. And the secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings. ✨

08/10/2024

Soaking in these last warm days before its fall, ya’ll!

04/10/2024

🙌🏼 These two are a literal vibeee.

After crossing paths in the night scene when Cori was bartending, and Clarence was working as an MC, followed by ten years of friendship, and little secret crushes on each other… it was only fitting for them to have a celebration this grandeur at Castle farms in Charlevoix, MI.

Their wedding day was a magnificent summer day without a cloud in the sky and flowers blooming all around us on the magnificent grounds of the castle.

Swipe for a peek at their first moments as husband and wife. 👉🏼

Venue: Castle Farms
Dress: Jenna in White
Photographer: Light Garden Photography: Michigan Wedding Photographer
Stylist: Bliss Salon and Spa

16/09/2024

A moment for the maids -

The most important women in your life. Your ride or dies.

Peep today’s blog for a short guide on how to give them each their 15 minutes of fame on your wedding day! 💐

This one’s for the photographers. Taking portraits of the bridesmaids is one of my favorite parts of the day. The gowns, the flowers, the BRIDE. It’s all so glamorous!

06/09/2024

I’ve had an epiphany… 💫

But before we go there, let me start by admitting that I’ve been feeling a little stuck.

Creatively stuck mostly. A bit lackluster about my work, my professional purpose, and the direction of this business. 🙍🏼‍♀️🫤

The exhaustion of motherhood and caring for an infant (whom I love omg she’s my obsession 🥹) has opened my eyes to how precious our time and energy truly is.

After maternity leave, I found myself trying to fit into a mold crafted in a past life, a pre-motherhood life, which simply does not suite me anymore. (Like a lot of my pre-baby clothes. lol. fml. 🫠)

So today I’m pivoting. Taking a metaphorical step toward a professional life that’s more reflective of where I stand today. I’m taking a step backward to take a step forward. Back to the beginning before revenue goals, and KPIs…. back to passion projects and the root of who I am at my core - a creator. 👩🏼‍🎨🎞️✨

So, going forward may this feed be reawakened as a creative outlet, rich with all things:

🎞️ Film - grainy, dreamy, true to color, non-digital, have to wait to see the photos, film!

💍 Weddings - don’t worry I still can’t get enough of the glamour and emotional rush of a wedding day.

🙌🏼 Portraits - think simply family joys meets 90s film nostalgia.

🌾 Nature - here for the fresh blooms, botanical embellishments, greenery, and all things greenhouse.

👩🏼‍🎨 Crafts - organic body products, candle pouring, macrame, weaving, soap making… all of it.

📔 Journaling - some of you may remember my bullet journal days and we are bringing it back honey.

🏡 Home Decor - our journey toward making our home our charming, mid-century oasis.

And last but certainly not least

👶🏼 Motherhood - because us moms (and dads!) have to gas each other up!

Here’s to getting unstuck, and never being too old to try something new. ✨

16/08/2024

✨Sneak Peek from Bella + Jay’s golden hour garden bed engagement session! 🌼🌾

Finding a photographer is very much like online dating.📲 You search around for someone who fits your style, shares your interests, and frankly, that you’re attracted to! Then you chat and get a vibe, and if all goes according you plan your engagement session which is basically a first date! 📸🥰

Meshing well with a photographer is as much a personality match as it is an aesthetic match. You want to be able to hang out, have a few laughs, and enjoy the photography process!

All this is to say that Bella and Jay were my perfect match! I adored their company and their energy as a couple. 🫶🏼They were fun and kind. They made me laugh and filled my photo heart with so much warmth and creativity during their session.

I mean just look at Bella she is WORKING that camera! 🙌🏼🤩

Scroll for more from this dream session! Which one is your favorite? 💌🤍

31/05/2024

✨Sneak Peek of Chelsea and Corbin’s colorful spring wedding at the Alma Chapel! ⛪️

Two love birds bring their wedding day back to their humble beginnings on campus at Alma college. Their smiles and joy to be back to their roots says it all. Swipe to see what I mean! 😁👉🏼

Congrats to our beautiful bride and groom! 💍

22/03/2024

We all have smartphones now, so why invest in a family photographer?

Here’s my take…

First let me say there’s nothing wrong with capturing moments on your phone to share with loved ones. I’m a professional photographer with an iPhone full of photos.

However, there’s one crucial piece missing with that approach, and that is - the STORY!

Let me explain.

The true value behind a photograph is the warmth of the memory it preserves. That feeling you had at the park when a wave of joy crashed over you as your children laughed and played. That warm feeling in your chest when you caught that glimmer of pride in your spouse’s eyes. That sense of peace that your loved ones are near and healthy. That’s the magic behind a photograph, and the difference between an iPhone photo and an expertly crafted professional portrait.

So is it worth it to invest in a professional photographer in the age of smartphones?

Well, that’s up to you. 😉