Paige + Aaron | Engaged

Paige and Aaron - what an adorable, photogenic couple! These two made their engagement session with me SO easy (which I thanked them for, I think like 10 times??) But really - these two are so easy going, and you can just tell they really love each other.. they were naturals at this photography-posing stuff!

We met out at the Fillmore Barn in Allendale, Michigan, and then headed to Wallinwood Springs golf course in Jenison, Michigan and took some more photos there!

Here's a small preview of our session! Enjoy!

Katherine + Aaron | Married

Katherine and Aaron were married on March 21, 2015 in Saint Joseph, Michigan, at the Heritage Museum & Cultural Center! These two... wow. They were such a sweet couple; from meeting them in October of 2014 to take their engagement session, I knew that Katherine and Aaron were a couple that I couldn't be more excited to photograph their wedding. From the nautical touches, to being near the beach of Lake Michigan, their wedding was something I knew would be amazing!

Here's a small preview of their day! Enjoy! 

Kristen + Kevin | Maternity

Kristen and Kevin emailed me just about a week before they were going to be induced into labor! These two were on a time crunch, and I was so happy that I was available for them to be able to document their first pregnancy. Kristen and Kevin wanted to meet out by the Riverbend Forest Preserve in Mahomet, Illinois - and I have to say, this might become one of my locations! It was so beautiful and quiet! It had a lot of great photo locations too, so I'm sure I'll try to get some more sessions booked out that way! Here are a few of my favorites from their session, enjoy!

   

 Best,

Tracy

The Reset Conference

On March 15, I attended THE RESET CONFERENCE in Champaign, Illinois. WOW! This was an awesome conference, as I knew it was going to be. I loved every minute of it! I first arrived at the morning worship, where Michael Alsop (Katelyn James's husband) spoke about creating a balance between work and life and relaxing. It was a great way to start my Sunday before the conference with the Lord and other photographers who love the Lord, too!

Then, the conference began!

Kellie & Rebekah were our hosts & creators of the conference: and let me tell you, these ladies worked so hard to make this conference amazing, and it was! They brought us great laughs, and great speakers, and great vendors!!!

My favorite photographer/blogger/amazing gal to speak, was Katelyn James! If you don't follow Katelyn on Facebook/Instagram, well, you should! (http://katelynjamesblog.com/)  She and her husband take beautiful photos, and she is someone that I look up to in so many ways as a photography business woman. Katelyn spoke about creating an experience for our clients; not just pictures, not just a business transaction. And that's exactly what I want my couples & clients to know; you are not just a transaction, you are not just a couple who hands me a check, and I hand over photos. That's not how I want this to ever work out to be. I look for a lasting relationship with my couples, and although it does not always turn out that way, that is always my intent. I'm all about FRIENDSHIP first, and creating a long lasting one, before we even begin photos. I want to be a friend during your wedding day, not just your photographer.

Katelyn also talked about creating a community within your brand. And I just want to thank all my clients who trust me to photograph their lives, and continue to come back to me. It really means so much to me. Here's some instagram photos of the day: 

After Katelyn spoke, it was lunch time and a time to look over some of the vendors that were present.

Then Sarah Hill, of Sarah Beth Photography spoke (http://sarah-bethphoto.com/blog/) She was awesome! She taught us that it is OK to say NO to things. Saying no to sessions we may not be the greatest at. Saying no to filling up our schedule, and never having a life or time for family. Saying no to comparison. Saying no to what time of day clients want to shoot, and taking control. I loved how real she was, and wasn't afraid to tell her clients exactly what she wants to get the shot.

After Sarah spoke, it was time for our break out sessions! These were classes we could go to & listen to speakers talk about a specific topic. I went to Kara Kamenski, who also talked about creating a balance during your season, and she's just a sweetheart that I loved listening to.

Next, we had our 'Perfecting Your Trade' sessions: which I signed up for the vintage wedding shoot, WHICH WAS AMAZING! It was taught by Kara Kamienski (http://karakamienskiphotography.com/) who shoots out of Springfield, Illinois and shoots over 40+ weddings in a single year. YEAH, she's awesome. Anyway, this session had a bride & groom who just got married the past year as our models, and Kara taught us about posing and making the most of a shot time-frame. Here's some of my favorite shots from the session:

At the end of the night, Jody and Zack Gray spoke ( http://www.zachandjody.com/ ) and they are just the cutest couple; and their little son Jax was there too.. Such great role-models of how to run a business for the Lord, and not just for money.

This was an amazing conference, and its going on again next year, and I think I may need to go! Its going to be a two-day conference this time, and to sign up, click here: www.theresetconference.com

Best,

Tracy

Special thanks to:

Elite Bridal - Champaign, IL

IHotel & Conference Center - Champaign, IL

Flowers by Kristine - Champaign, IL

Samantha Olsen Wedding Planning - Champaign, IL