patrick + lizzie | wedding | the homestead | glen arbor, mi

it is certainly a privilege to journey with couples...to have the opportunity to join in the adventure of a 'destination' wedding and witness vows beneath new breathtaking sky tapestries. saturday led me to the homestead resort in glen arbor, mi. with stunning views of lake michigan and the warm invitation of a charming resort village, the homestead offered the perfect backdrop for patrick and lizzie. from their home among the skyscrapers of chicago, these two ventured around the lake to northern michigan to promise their lives to each other. it was a day full of vibrant joy and honest emotion...as pat and liz did an amazing job of living completely in the moment and taking in their wedding day, for all the beauty that it was.

and there was i, a humble but thankful guest at the table of a jubilant celebration. i have so much sincere gratitude for the work i am given.

p&l, you were beyond gracious and generous, offering me the very best compliment i could have asked for. blessings to you two. always strive to love each other more than yourselves. you have reminded me once again why i love what i do.

-npe

wes + alex | wedding | birchwood farms golf & country club | harbor springs, mi

harbor springs was showing off. this past weekend, i had the privilege of spending the day in northern michigan with two wonderful, and incredibly generous people.

wes, a tennessee man and crazy talented musician, and alex, a beautiful native to michigan with an infectious smile...with these two, there were a few things that were bound to happen. southern hospitality. stunning portraits from a couple who light up the camera. and the best set of mash-up dj creations you have ever heard at a wedding.

what an awesome day! thank you w&a for inviting me along. even with the wind that wanted to join the wedding day fun, it was a perfect day. blessings my friends!

-npe

john + kelsey | wedding | orchard ridge farms | rockton, il

i often feel my relationships that blossom out of shooting couple's wedding days easily step into deeper levels of friendship right off the bat...even if for the only reason of sharing a single day, vibrant and bursting with life-changing moments. add to that the fact that for some of my clients, we are dear friends even before the thoughts of wedding bells or photography are even on the horizon....and you have a uniquely profound intimacy and camaraderie hard to match.

this is the very story of my day this past friday in rural rockton, illinois. john and kelsey, beloved by many and cherished friends at our church in grand rapids, were surrounded by their family and loved ones, preparing to embark on a brand new journey together. and my role as photographer was an honored gift i was given. these two are beautiful, inside and out, and it was far from work to spend the day with them, their wedding party, family, and friends. i hope you enjoy these moments from their day as much as i did...

j&k, jana and i love you, and are so very excited for the work God is doing in your lives. may He bless you in this new chapter. and the great news? it just keeps getting better!

-npe

blake+katie engagement {delight.in.the.morning.light}

an absolutely beautiful morning for photos - blake and katie met me with smiles on their faces, and a whole lot of trust in my ideas! 'hey, lets get back in those woods, the lighting is amazing' followed by 'do either of you know what poison ivy looks like?'

if that doesn't prove trust in your 'throw caution to the wind' photographer, i don't know what does! but then again, these two are no strangers to the adventurous lifestyle! blake dawns his skis to shred up slopes with backflips and 360s...and katie, well, with a fiance like blake, she is one brave woman ;)

all in all, these two are so much fun - they go together so very well, and their love for each shows without effort.  thank you friends for inviting me into your story!

-npe

tim+jess engagement {lovely.soda.sun.fun}

tim and jess hit the ground running.  they came to our engagement session with their game faces on, and by game faces, i mean...truly in love, full of joy, loving the moment faces! these two have a wonderful story of redemption and pursuit, and as we chatted while walking from location to location, i could tell that they were perfect for each other.  both funny, witty, alive, and trusting. they gave me an awesome opportunity to take their inspiration and creative ideas, and run with it. what an honor as an artist!  so here is a snapshot of our evening.  hope you enjoy!

ciao,

npe

jake+alicia {kilts.country.&.matrimony}

nothing could stop these two from loving every bit out of their wedding day, and each other! jake - love the kilts my friend*

alicia - all your planning payed off in spectacular fashion*

thanks for the honor friends - i hope you enjoy the sneak peak (victor looks soo good, at least i think so!)

- ne