Sophie + Abby

I’ve been saving this wonderful bunch of photos for a rainy day. Today’s not rainy in the least- it’s wonderfully sunny! It’s also absolutely freezing though, so I thought I’d momentarily transport us to the warm balmy version of my favorite Holland beach. I’m also currently quite cozy at my local coffee shop with my mug and gluten-free zucchini bread and not nearly ready for the frigid walk home.

There was a day this summer that Eric and I decided to hit the beach despite the fog and clouds. No sooner had we arrived than I texted Sophie and told her I was going to need to take some photos of her! Holland is notoriously humid most days of the summer, but this day was something else. Sophie and Abby have been friends all through high school, and they were so much fun to capture in the beautifully dramatic fog. Friendship is such an important part of life that we rarely celebrate. It’s an opportunity to care for another person just because we choose to- not out of obligation or some condition. I love seeing these two sweet friends grow together and I know they’ll remain close through the coming changes that graduation and post- high school life will bring.

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Sam + Annie

Sam and Annie are a couple of pretty wonderful people! They are two adventurous spirits who value friendship and the earth and creativity. They know how to celebrate life. It’s all thanks to Annie that Eric and I met, and I am so thankful for the friendship I have grown to have with them ever since. Doing their home and lifestyle shoot this winter was such an honor! This home is made of joy and love and beautiful things. Sam and Annie and their pooch, Art Garfunkel, made their first home together at the camp Sam worked at in West Michigan. It’s filled with driftwood and plants and artwork and good books. It’s one of those places that makes you want to slowly walk around and look at everything like it’s a museum, but then the next moment sit down with a steaming mug of coffee and converse about life and love and this beautiful world. It’s an environment that says it’s ok to just be you, but it’s also ok to grow and change. These are the things that Sam and Annie have put into their house to make it such a home; these are the things they will take with them to their next home and every one after that!

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Thomas Family

October 2014

It has been quite the fall. We’ve had day after day of sunny, crisp, colorful, priceless, midwest autumn. Eric and I have filled our days with walks on the beach, home projects, coffee dates with friends, and bike rides around the neighborhood (when we have a spare moment amidst the multiple jobs, grad school courses, and homework, that is). It’s actually been quite a chaotic season. I love to look back, though, and appreciate all the small moments that have made up our fall so far.

Another thing I love about fall is the beauty I get to observe through my lens. The Thomas family is one full of energy and excitement and love- and believe me when I say they know what it means to have a family dance party! JT and Annie have always been a huge encouragement to Eric and I in our marriage, and we look up to them so much. Their awesome kids just sweeten the deal with all of their kisses and giggles and eternal imaginations. They were all so fun to spend such a crisp fall morning with and the post-photo-shoot donut run didn’t hurt either!

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