Happy ArtPrize! Today marks the opening day of ArtPrize Eight, which I'm celebrating by sharing some of my favorite images from last year's competition. As a fan of both art and people-watching, you can bet I'll be spending plenty of time downtown over the next few weeks. There are so many great spaces to visit! I'm always impressed by Kendall's show at the Fed Galleries, and Calvin's 106 Gallery definitely qualifies as a must-see. Tell me, which venue is on your can't-miss list?
How sweet is this precious little peanut and his two big brothers?! I loved photographing tiny little Owen and his beautiful family a few weeks ago. If these little boys don't make you feel the warm fuzzies all the way down to your toes, I don't know what will.
How fun would it be to spend a week staying on Lake Michigan with your entire family?! (Not to mention waking up to scenes worthy of a Pure Michigan ad every day.) I loved getting to capture a few memories for this bunch while they vacationed together. You want to know what's also great? Dutch bingo, because everyone in West Michigan is somehow connected (and that is the best).
You know when the stars align and everything just falls magically in place? That was this session. We shot on a beautiful Saturday morning--the sun was shining, everybody was happy, it was seriously perfect. (And then a few hours later tornadoes were crisscrossing West Michigan, so you can see why I'm delighted that our morning went off without a hitch.) I adore this family, and I'm so excited to meet baby number two in a few short months.
I've said it before, but it's worth repeating: one of the greatest joys in photography is getting to see how families grow and change over time. I photographed Ron and Erin almost a year ago, back when Sawyer was a sweet baby they couldn't wait to meet living halfway around the world. Fast forward several months, and they were finally together as a family of five. I keep trying to describe the joy I feel watching these kids blossom, but my words are inadequate. Just let it be known that these kids and their parents are amazing and funny and so kind, and I love them. (Also, Greyson invited me to join them for ice cream after our session, so obviously he is a big winner in my book.)
