We headed to downtown Grand Haven and walked the streets a bit for their engagement session. Missy and Adam will be married on Grand Haven’s beach this summer! I am so excited for their wedding and to work with Cassie from White Dress Events!

Here are a few of my favorites.

I quickly learned that Freddie doesn’t like to be called “cute” but I just couldn’t help telling them both how cute they are! And, I quickly realized just how many times I say  the word, cute. It didn’t help that every time I called them cute, Freddie would give me this big smile. So, I’ll try to cut down on the “cutes” for their wedding day… I just need to come up with a different word. Suggestions?

I am sure that Jill and Freddie are going to have a gorgeous wedding in July and I honestly can’t wait to be a part of it.

Here are a few of my favorites from their engagement session!

2011 was a very good year. I gave myself permission to not have to DO everything. Sure, my house was messy most of the time , we ate out more than we should have, I hired a babysitter one day a week during the summer months, and I turned down plenty of jobs. All to keep my sanity! And, I think I did it!

In 2011 I also thought a lot about where I want to see Summer Jean Photography go. Do I really want to be this big photography business that does it all just to make money and feel successful? Or, do I want to keep it small, intimate, specialized and simple. I chose the latter.

My kids are still little but getting bigger every day. We can tell that Carson is going to like sports and we will probably start getting busy with practices and running around in the next year. And Stella, pretty much wants to do everything her big brother does so who knows where the future will bring us with her. Anyway, I started thinking about whether or not I really wanted to hire a sitter during the day to edit and do bookwork, be gone at night to do portraits, and be gone on the weekends to do weddings. And, I don’t. I like being home with my family…they are my favorites.

So, with ALL of that being said I want to let you know that in 2012 and in the future, I will be specializing in Wedding Photography. I really love doing weddings (which still makes me laugh because they were the ONE thing I didn’t want to do in the beginning) and being a part of them. I love my couples, their families, and the whole whirlwind of a wedding day. I also really love doing portrait work so it was hard for me to choose. But, I’m sure I am doing the right thing.

I will be taking a limited number of portrait clients in the coming years. If you have been a loyal client of Summer Jean Photography in the past, don’t worry, I’ll still be your photographer if you want me. But, I am going to be very choosy about all other commissioned work.

I feel very blessed that I get to do what I love and I never imagined it being possible. Thank YOU for being so awesome and for allowing me to pursue my dream and try to figure out where this passion fits in amongst all of my other passions.

Now, the best of 2011!

Remember Naomi from her mom’s maternity session? Well, she now has a beautiful little baby sister who did awesome during her first photo session with me! Such pretty girls.

The other members are the family are just as cute too. I can’t believe how big kids get when I haven’t seen them in a whole year. I’m still convinced that one of these little two year old guys is going to marry my Stella someday…when they are 30.

Getting two year old twins to both look at the camera, smile, or to even be interested in me at all can be a challenge! Especially when they are outdoors at their home and there are woods to play in and places to explore. But, they did great and everyone was fun to be around, like always.

Thanks Gyoki’s for having me out to your place and letting me photograph your family!

I am always really honored to be invited back as this families photographer. Thanks Jason and Jeanna and the rest of the kids for being so great!

Stella turned two in October ( just two days after her brother) and it was a whirlwind type of week. 4 birthday parties, family in town, and lots of work to do. I can’t even look at another cupcake …okay, that’s not true. I could, but I won’t.

I have secretly always wanted a little girl. The day I found out that my youngest brother wasn’t a SISTER, I was devastated. Two brothers.  I wanted someone to play with, dress up, paint nails with, play with Barbies, and just be close with. Come to find out, I could do all of these things with my brothers too! Only, I was suppose to never tell anyone that!

After I had Carson I honestly didn’t care if I had another boy because I think boys are just awesome! Then, one day my mom said, “But, don’t you want a daughter so you can have a relationship with her like you and I?” and I was sold. I really did want that and I am so so so thankful everyday when I hold this sweet girl, that God has put her into my life. She brings me so much happiness and joy! She is sweet and sensitive and bold and sassy…All at the same time. We definitely are going to have our hands full with her! But, I like that.

I can’t  put into words how much I adore him. He’s so sweet, sensitive, funny, and fun. I love laying with him at night and watching him fall asleep and I love that he still likes to snuggle with his mommy. Those big blue eyes…they absolutely melt my heart. There isn’t a thing in this world that I wouldn’t do for him.

This time of year I always feel extremely blessed and thankful for the people that God has put into my life. Everyday I get to spend with them is a gift and I thank God that he has trusts me to be his momma.

They will be welcoming another little boy into their family the first of the new year and I CAN NOT wait to meet him!

Stella and I spent the morning with Lilly, her big sister and mommy a few weeks ago while our boys were in school together. We have gotten to know this family over the past year and think they are great! So, when they asked me to take a few pictures of their sweet little baby, I was excited! It was probably one of the more relaxing newborn sessions I’ve had. When Lilly wasn’t in the mood to be in front of the camera, we just sat, talked, and relaxed!

Thanks Jamie & family! Your baby girl is perfect and we are excited to watch her grow up into a really great kid, just like your other two!