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

rob + kristen | wedding | ada, mi

i was thinking it right from the beginning....these two are models right? rob and kristen described it probably the best - 'we can be weird together, and we love it!'  it was a true honor to spend this past saturday with kristen and rob, and watch the joy and excitement they both shared in becoming husband and wife.

for me, there is nothing more powerful on a wedding day, than watching a groom's eyes tear up as he watches his bride walk down that long aisle to him, and for rob, it was no different!

and it has been a while since i have laughed that much on a wedding day - r&k, thanks for keeping me on my toes, for letting me join the party, and giving j-crew a run for their money, love you guys!

-npe

mi belleza {made.for.the.sun}

'dark am i, yet lovely'

if there is a sunset upon the waters of perfection, her face shines brighter.

if there are flashes of beauty across the star lit sky, her eyes flash fiercer.

if there is a crowning beauty only God can create, it's home is in her gaze.

her life, a gift of beauty and love. my bride.

my wife is beautiful, truly in every way. and probably the only place that could even come close to heightening that beauty, is the sunny escape of a palm tree canopied beach.  on our recent retreat i had the chance to do a little shoot with my wonderful kay, and these are a few of my favorites!

-npe

benjamin michael - our GAP model

so one of the perks of always having a camera in our children's faces, is that fact that when I say 'go!' ben is always ready for a high fashion shoot, with cheesy grins to match.  the other day i thought my wife had dressed our son in an especially dapper outfit so here is the product of 'fun with my son' hope you enjoy*

npe

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