Should You Do a First Look? Let’s Talk About It.

One of the biggest questions couples ask during wedding planning is:
“Should we do a first look… or wait until the ceremony?”

There’s no wrong answer — truly.
Some couples dream of that classic moment walking down the aisle. Others want to spend more of their day together and keep things relaxed and unrushed.

But after photographing many weddings, I’ve started to notice a pattern — especially with couples who want to join their cocktail hour and spend more of the day actually with their guests.

So let’s break it down honestly, clearly, and from the perspective of someone who’s there for every minute of your timeline.

1. If You Want to Be Part of Your Cocktail Hour… a First Look Is Your Best Friend

This is the biggest one.

Even with a full hour for cocktails, here’s what often happens:

• Ceremony ends

• Family portraits begin (and these almost always take longer than expected)

• Then bridal party photos

• Then it’s time for your couple portraits

• And by this point? Time is nearly gone

It is completely normal for couple portraits — one of the MOST important sets of images of the day — to get cut down to 10 or 15 minutes. Sometimes less.

A first look gives you breathing room.
It gives you space to slow down and create a variety of beautiful images without feeling like you’re racing the clock or missing your party.

2. A First Look Helps When You Have a Long Family Photo List

If you know your family portrait list is on the larger side (or includes elderly grandparents or lots of combinations), it’s wise to prepare for extra time.

A first look lets us:

• Do your sibling photos

• Parent photos

• Full bridal party

• And sometimes even immediate family photos
  before the ceremony even starts.

That means after the ceremony, you’re not trapped in a long portrait block while your guests are eating appetizers without you.

3. Fresh Hair and Makeup = You at Your Best

This one is simple but important.

By the time the ceremony is over:

• Makeup has settled

• The excitement (and maybe the tears!) has happened

• Hair might need a touch-up

• The wind, the heat, or humidity may not be on your side

A first look happens when everything is fresh, polished, and perfectly in place.

If you’re investing in hair and makeup, using that window of time for portraits just makes sense.

4. Less Stress, More Time Together

I’ve never had a couple say,
“I wish we hadn’t done a first look.”

But I have had couples say,
“I wish we had more time together for photos,”
or
“I felt rushed after the ceremony.”

The first look truly sets the tone for a calmer day.
You get to hold each other, breathe, talk, laugh, and shake off the nerves before you walk down the aisle.

So… Should You Do a First Look?

If:

• You want to enjoy cocktail hour

• You want a variety of beautiful couple portraits

• You have a large family photo list

• You want photos while makeup and hair are fresh

• You want a calmer, less rushed timeline

…then yes — a first look is absolutely worth considering.

If your heart is set on the aisle moment, that is still 100% valid and beautiful.
But understanding the timeline reality helps you choose what matters most to you: unrushed photos, more time with guests, or a traditional reveal.

And whatever you choose — I’m here to help you build the timeline that supports your day, your vision, and your priorities.

A Windy but Wonderful Wedding Day - 4.21.25

Wedding season is starting to wind down for me, which means it’s finally time to catch up on sharing some of the beautiful celebrations I’ve had the honor to photograph this year. First up - Jaime and Gerold’s April wedding, which was as heartfelt as it was memorable.

Some weddings don’t go quite as planned - but those are often the ones that turn out most special.

Jaime and Gerold picked April 21st for a beautiful reason - it was her grandparent’s wedding date. The plan was to get married on their family farm, which is now owned by her uncle, and celebrate surrounded by all of that history. When it looked like rain, she arranged for a tent. But, on the morning of the wedding, it was so windy that the tent company decided it was just to risky to set up.

With her amazing attitude and calm spirit, Jaime didn’t let it stop her. Since the reception was already planned at her childhood church, they decided to hold the ceremony there too. She chose the old sanctuary instead of the newer modern one - and it couldn’t have been more charming or perfect for the occasion.

After the ceremony, we ventured out to the farm for portraits.

The wind was wild, but it ended up working out in our favor - no need for a veil toss because the wind handled it for us!

It was such a sweet, meaningful day, full of love, family, and flexibility. Even with the change of plans, everything turned out beautifully - and I think her grandparents would have loved every moment.

As I wrap up the season, I’m so excited to look back and share more of these incredible stories - each one unique, heartfelt, and such an honor to capture. Stay tuned…there’s so much beauty to still come!

Cora || Senior Session

A Senior Session to remember - feathers and all!

Every senior session is special, but this one is close to my heart. We spent a gorgeous afternoon at a local park, soaking up the golden light by the pond and exploring around an old barn.

The weather couldn’t have been better - clear skies, soft sun, and just the right amount of breeze to give everything that perfect, effortless glow.

What made this shoot even more memorable? She brought her pet rooster along for a few photos!

I absolutely love when seniors add personal touches to their session, and this brought so much personality and fun.

Our families have been friends for years, so getting to photograph this milestone felt like such an honor. Watching her step confidently into this next chapter - and capturing it through my lens - was such a joy.

Wishing her all the best in the exciting year ahead! To see Cora’s full gallery, click HERE.

The Ewalds || Special Announcement

This session will forever hold a special place in my heart. While on a quiet family vacation in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, we carved out a little time to capture something incredibly special - my daughter and her husband’s pregnancy announcement. That’s right, I’m going to be a grandma!

Despite the chilly, damp weather, the skies gave us just enough of a break to head into the woods and photograph this beautiful moment. Between the tall pines, muddy trails, and lots of laughs, we got the sweetest shots, including a few with their pup proudly declaring her new role as ‘big sister'“.

There’s something magical about capturing love and new beginnings, but this time, it was personal - and I couldn’t be more honored.

To see the full gallery, click HERE.

Hannah & James || Enchanted Christmas Wedding

I just delivered this beautiful gallery from a December 2024 wedding. Winter weddings have a charm all their own, and Hannah and James’ elegant Christmas theme beautifully captured this magic.

Set in a stunning church adorned with twinkling lights and festive decor, their ceremony was a breathtaking blend of tradition and seasonal beauty.

The couple's radiant smiles and heartfelt vows were perfectly immortalized in photos, showcasing the essence of love during this special time.

Each photograph captured the love and joy shared by the couple and their guests, showcasing the stunning details of the day.

From the intricate lace of Hannah’s gown to the warm glow of candlelight, their wedding photos are a testament to a truly enchanting celebration. Celebrate love this winter!

To view Hannah & James’ full gallery, click here.

Haley & Jonathan || Snowy Engagement Session

January 11, 2025

I can’t think of a better way to start out the year than an outdoor winter engagement session.

When it comes to engagement sessions, few settings rival the enchanting beauty of fresh snow. Recently, I had the pleasure of photographing Haley and Jonathan amidst a stunning winter landscape. The soft, white blanket of snow created a magical backdrop, accentuating their love and joy.

Haley and Jonathan were a delightful couple to work with. Their infectious laughter and playful interactions made capturing moments effortless. As they twirled in the snow and shared sweet embraces, it was clear that their love was not only deep but also incredibly fun. Each click of the camera immortalized their connection, showcasing the warmth of their relationship against the chilly winter air.

In conclusion, a snowy engagement session offers a unique opportunity to capture beautiful moments. For couples like Haley and Jonathan, it’s a chance to celebrate their love in an enjoyable and memorable way. Embrace the beauty of winter and let your love story shine!

To see Haley & Jonathan’s complete gallery, click here!

Nicole & Nikolaus || Elegant Winter Wedding

I just put the finishing touches on and delivered this gallery for my first wedding of 2024. So far, I have 4 more scheduled for this year, and already a few for 2025. If the rest are even half as fun as this day was, and the brides just as sweet…I will be declaring myself to have the best job ever. This day was seriously so laid back and relaxed. I found myself calm with zero signs of stress or anxiety. Which is crazy considering the lighting conditions were a little less than ideal. I mean, an indoor winter wedding on an overcast day late in the afternoon. Luckily, I brought four speed lights with me: one on camera with a modifier, one kicker light that I carried with me as needed, and two on nine-foot stands for the dance floor.

The wedding was at the Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant in Buchanan MI, and the staff and onsite coordinator were a dream to work with and so accommodating. The were very considerate of my lighting needs (asking me what I needed on or off), and even gave me a corner of the serving area to stash my gear. The DJ was also great as we discussed the disco lights needing to be turned of during the traditional first dances.

Nicole and Niklaus, their wedding party and family were also polite and a dream to work with. I wish them all of the best in their new life together!

To see this happy couple’s full gallery, click HERE

Lawhorn Family || Fall Truck Mini

I am just looking back to one of my favorite sessions of 2023. On one of my many treks down m-99, I spotted this super cool old truck at parked out front of a cute white barn, which happens to be a rustic wedding venue called Country Happenings. I reached out to them and was able to book a few hours on a Sunday afternoon last October. I found some cute fall themed throw pillows and blankets at the Dollar General and stopped at a farmer’s market for some mums…and Voila! Such a beautiful set for some fall mini sessions. I actually didn’t get a very good response to my call, but my beautiful niece booked a session for her sweet family. Since there was only the one session, I gave her a full hour instead of the normal 15 minutes. It took a little while for her little guy to warm up to me, but we ended up getting so many great shots. It was such a fun and beautiful day, and I will definitely be reaching out to Country Happenings again for the use of their cute truck. I’m thinking maybe some winter truck minis this year…

To see the full Lawhorn Gallery, click HERE.