Ice Skating Engagement! Caitlin and Matt

Grand Rapids, MI
Rosa Parks Circle

Congratulations Caitlin and Matt! What a fun day for ice-skating in the city! It was actually beautiful, warm(er) for Michigan in February, and the sun was out. These two are so cool (not just because they were ice skating! Hee hee). Their warm personalities make you feel like you've been friends for years. I instantly connected with these two. Smiles, jokes, a little insecurity about skating and falling on your arse (Caitlin)... I am so excited for this couple and can't wait for the wedding! They are having their reception at McKay Tower, which is reflected in the buildings in some of these shots. Pretty cool.

(They never fell on their arses, but other people did. They're in the background in some of these... Thought it was funny since it's the Olympics and everyone cringes on the edge of their seats waiting for people to fall. You know you do.)

Caitlin and Matt met at her cousin's wedding. Matt actually crashed it- well, kind of. The best man asked him to go. But Caitlin says he crashed it. They were together for two years when Matt proposed. There was a love note on the bed, and when Caitlin turned around, he was on his knee. He always tries to surprise her, and it never works, so this time he didn't plan anything and just did it. He wanted to propose on the blue bridge and got shot down for lack of originality. Ha!

Well, just look at these two! I am genuinely so, so happy for them. My heart gets bigger knowing people like these guys...

Wine Picnic Spring Grove Park- Cheryl and Marcus

Grand Rapids, MI
Spring Grove Park
Engagement Session

Congratulations to Cheryl and Marcus!! What an amazing and sweet couple! They met their last year of college through mutual friends. Many friends had graduated, so Cheryl and Marcus started spending more time together. After being chased by Marcus for almost a year, they graduated and did the long distance thing for a couple years.  Marcus lived in Ohio and Indiana to pursue his teaching career, and Cheryl stayed in Michigan and started working in Grand Rapids. After almost two years, he realized he couldn't stand being without her everyday and moved to Grand Rapids. He proposed at a friend's cottage up north last May. He asked her to come sit on the dock and started talking about how they had been together for five years... and then he pulled a ring out of his pocket.

I am honored to document their story. For this engagement session, at Spring Grove Park, in Grandville, the light was so beautiful!! You know I like the sun flare. I couldn't stop shooting, which made it very difficult to cull and edit this session! Marcus is actually a wine rep, so they had a little vino while the sun was setting. Beautiful day, beautiful people. I love my job.

I cannot wait to photograph this wedding in June!! Stay tuned.

Here is a sneak peek. Enjoy!