seriously—need I say more?? love the clothes, love the locations, love that the kids can pull of some great model faces You guys are hot!!! ps…beth is a local photog too, so she was right on with her clothing choices and letting me sneak her fam into some sweet new places!

Here are a just a few faves….

I never thought I would need a blog post with a part one and a part two….but 30 photos later…I wasn’t even to the reception yet!! This was THE most amazing wedding, with the most down to earth, naturally happy bride and groom, and was not surprised when they surrounded themselves with people of the same kind on their wedding day. It was an honor to witness this wedding, and photograph it as well! My husband Tim shot this wedding with me – as he has many others, so this post includes shots from each of us. I will write more on events and locations in my part two post! ***do you see her shoes??!!! I know you will fall in love with this wedding too…

Oh yes, it’s that time of year!  Here’s the skinny – daylight is shrinking by the day, weekend dates are hard to come by with my schedule and yours…so we have the mini session!  I even have a funky mantle *for a different take on the traditional family photo-all crazy ideas welcome*   I even have a tire swing hanging in my studio!!  It’s warm and bright in my studio – so no need to just wear sweater & scarves – but anything brightly colored is welcome!  Don’t you want your holiday photo to stand out??!!  It can be the whole fam or just the kids!  The details are below…

I had so much fun with little *eli*…..He was so cooperative! Then at the end I told him – he could cry all he wanted too! This session was a gift from a previous bride of mine and her mother…what a great gift!

Photography is a gift that lasts a lifetime and will be enjoyed for years to come. If you are interested in gifting a studio session and entire session cd negatives, to someone you know for the holidays, please email me! I will be offering a special on this only until November 6th, for $300 total! That is a steal ~ (normally this would retail around $700). The gift sessions can be used any time after January 1st, 2010!

here are just a few….

I share this with you….because it lays heavy on my heart and never feels like I’m doing enough. Our oldest is adopted after he lived in our home for 2 yrs through foster care (he was 3 1/2 when we first met him!). We have had other children live in our home for a year or so…and others we’ve had for a few days or weeks and will never see again. I won’t lie – it’s hard…but, has anything meaningful or rewarding in your life ~ ever come easily???

Orphan Sunday from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

This is Crystal…she lived with us for a year when she was 10. I would like to think we totally rocked her world, and she will never be the same because of her time at the Ruffhouse! Crystal and I talk and text many times a week. …and she is an amazing girl. She has overcome so many obstacles…and is now a senior, and has already earned college credits for her nursing degree!! I am so proud of her. I pray we always stay this close, even though she’s not mine- I am so glad God placed her in our lives. It’s a relationship that constantly reminds me of how much God loves us all and is watching and does care about each and every life.

ps* isn’t she stunningly beautiful???? you would never know we laughed almost through her entire session…I seriously thought they were all going to be her funny faces!!

Love you Crystal!!

At any given time there are about 4,000 children in Michigan’s foster care system who are available and waiting to be adopted.

Adopting a child out of Michigan’s foster care system is not expensive. In most cases, you will only need to pay court costs, an average of $150 or less per child.

Most families who adopt are also licensed foster parents or relatives. In fact, last year in Michigan 93 percent of children adopted from the foster care system were adopted by a foster parent or relative.

Your first step in the adoption process is to get a home assessment completed. Contact your local adoption agency – or call the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange at 1-800-589-6273, we can help explain the entire process. The adoption process can approximately nine months.

Because the needs of each child are different, many different types of families are needed. You don’t have to married to adopt and you don’t need to be wealthy or own your own home.

Many of the children waiting for adoption are 10 years old or older, may need to be adopted along with siblings, or may have special placement needs..

I love color!! I do – but something about that clean white just makes cute little faces just pop out! I love these pics, they’re fresh! He did not want to keep his adorable little boots on..but the first picture here is my *favorite* new pic and is not on my website! Isn’t her adorable! We had a fun time at the studio getting these, he was happy the whole time! **now we just need to get some of big sis!

Georgia has incredible parents, Maggie & Chris who love her deeply….and it shows. Here is their story **blog** Just think – -not even a year ago, I was taking mom & dad’s pick to go in their adoption book – and here they are with Georgia who is 6 months!! She is a miracle! Here are just a few of my favorites!!!

**and Maggie – if you don’t blow that one up of the two of you – I will hurt you!

What a gorgeous day for a wedding! This was an amazing event with so many of their friends and family, thanks for including us – we had so much fun with you guys! It was really hard to choose…so of course – there are a gazillion! Amazing flowers and reception details by Modern Day Floral~ do you see the handle of the bouquet? That is AMAZING!!! I love the last shots of Jess with her grandpa – he LOVED to dance! At one point – Jess’s mom wanted a few more family shots during the dancing…and when I was trying to snag grandpa – he told me he couldn’t – he was dancing!! Love it! It was so fun to see Nathan & Ashleigh again at their wedding too!

Oh yes, I said published!! This is so exciting ~ because really in the past two insane years, my business has taken off, I have hardly had a minute to *think* let alone – sort through gazillions of amazing wedding images to submit for publishing. But it is so fun to see your work in a magazine. It’s a new publication just about Michigan Photographers! The one thing I know is that this mag will always have amazing photos…It’s called ” In Frame” , they have a website, where you can have a free copy mailed to you, and it’s being passed out at many bridal events & shows throughout the state. They featured 38 of michigan’s top photographers…glad to be one! They featured a fabulous wedding I shot of Keith & Amanda and shared their adorable story! They also featured a ttd photo of Beth in the snow….that was a fun *freezing* shoot, big props to Beth on that one! And also a few details of a cake, purse, and shoe shots on the middle and bottom of the last page…the copies are below!

These two were *oh*so*tiny when I first met them…now at 6 months…they’re a whole new ball of wax!! They have personality – and their own opinions of wanting their picture taken!! Olivia thought this was fabulous idea Graham ~in true boy fashion~ thought this was ridiculous and would much rather play with his dad…. If I only had video of mom & dad trying to entertain them….now that would be funny! I give major props to parents of multiples…you know their marriage has to be good – the amount of communication that has to take place with two babies…is huge! Now I’m not saying that it’s always *good* communication…but at least it’s still there!
**love this stroller – borrowed it from a friend- and it worked perfect for these two. enjoy!