How I Fell in Love with Wedding Photography

 

I still remember the day my friend asked me to photograph his wedding. My heart dropped a little—not because I didn’t want to, but because I had never done anything like that before. I was nervous, unsure, and completely out of my comfort zone.

But I said yes. I said yes because I loved them, and I wanted to give them something special. So I picked up my camera, charged into the unknown, and captured their day—for basically nothing. And you know what? I absolutely fell in love with it.

Black and white portrait of someone in a strapless wedding dress sitting on a rustic outdoor swing.

That one wedding lit a spark in me.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it—the emotions, the details, the fleeting moments I got to freeze in time forever. I knew, deep down, I wanted to do this full time. But at the time, I was already a full-time teacher. And I had people around me saying things like, “You could never make a living doing that,” or “That’s not a real job.” Those voices got in my head. So I played it small. I only photographed weddings here and there for friends or people I knew.

Wedding bouquet featuring cream carnations, pink flowers and turquoise roses in a romantic vintage style arrangement.
Wedding party celebrates outdoors with colorful smoke bombs in pink, orange, and turquoise creating a vibrant backdrop.
A couple walk hand in hand across a wooden bridge surrounded by lush green trees on a sunny day.

 

It wasn’t until after Covid that things really started to change. Suddenly, my inbox started filling up—friends of friends, people who had seen photos I’d done and loved them, brides saying, “So-and-so said you HAVE to do our wedding!” What started as doing maybe five weddings a year quickly turned into twenty… then thirty… then thirty-five… again thirty-five… forty… forty again… and finally, last year—I photographed FORTY-TWO weddings!

 

A couple shares a tender moment under a tree branch on their wedding day, with sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Elegant rhinestone wedding heels and engagement ring displayed with a delicate red rose embroidered on white fabric.
A couple shares a romantic dip in a golden sunset-lit field with pine trees silhouetted in the background.
A romantic wedding kiss at sunset with guests seated on the lawn and pink clouds illuminating the outdoor ceremony.

Forty-two beautiful love stories.

Forty-two couples trusting me with one of the biggest days of their lives.

Forty-two couples trusting me with one of the biggest days of their lives.

Forty-two couples trusting me with one of the biggest days of their lives.

Wedding couple stands in tall meadow grass while bride's white veil flows dramatically in the wind.
A romantic embrace under a brick archway on a snowy winter day surrounded by snow-covered branches.

Being a wedding photographer isn’t just about snapping pretty pictures—though I do love that part, too 😉. For me, it’s about being there. It’s about watching moms and dads wipe tears away as they walk their baby girl down the aisle. It’s about witnessing a group of best friends surround the person they’ve watched fall in love and cheering them on with their whole hearts. It’s about that deep breath right before the ceremony starts, the way your hands tremble when you finally read your vows, the look you give each other during your first dance when the world fades away. Those are the once-in-a-lifetime moments. And I get to be the one who captures them forever.

 

And I’ll never take that for granted.

 

Choosing me as your wedding photographer means more than just booking someone to take photos. You’re getting someone who is rooting for you from day one. I’ll be there every step of the way—calming your nerves, fixing your dress, making sure the guys put their tuxes on correctly (yes, you know who you are 😉), and cheering you on through every beautiful moment.

If you're getting married in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Battle Creek, or the surrounding areas, I would love to connect and hear more about your day. I’m proud to serve couples all across West and Mid-Michigan, and would be honored to tell your love story in a way that’s real, emotional, and uniquely you.

Let’s make some magic together.

Let’s capture your love.

Let’s tell your story the way it deserves to be told.

A bride and groom embrace on a grass lawn with vibrant autumn foliage in the background as her veil flows in the wind.
Three figures in flowing white dresses walk together on a path lined with vibrant red autumn trees on a sunny day.
A wedding couple walks hand in hand on a grassy field during golden sunset with tree silhouette and sunbeams.
A couple in wedding attire walks through a golden sunlit field as the bride's long veil flows in the breeze.
A couple walks through a sunny meadow on their wedding day, with the bride in white lace and groom in navy blue.
Close-up of bride's hand with bracelet and ring at wedding ceremony, with couple in formal attire in background.
A couple shares an intimate moment under a clear umbrella on a rainy wedding day with a rustic barn in the background.
A wedding couple shares a kiss in front of seated guests at an outdoor garden ceremony.
A couple embraces in a wildflower meadow with flowing white veil catching the breeze on a summer afternoon.
A romantic wedding moment captured beneath flowing white fabric, with natural outdoor scenery in the background.
A couple embraces on a grassy lawn in front of a rustic barn venue with a train blue storage shed in the background.
Two silver wedding rings rest elegantly on open book pages outdoors in natural lighting.
A couple embraces on a wooden dock overlooking a serene lake with fountain and pine trees in the background.
A happy couple shares a romantic kiss and laugh together outdoors against a blue sky with clouds.
A newlywed couple stands in front of a bright blue Dodge Charger on a wooded driveway.
Two people celebrate at a wedding venue with beautiful white houses and a stone fountain in the landscaped courtyard.
A couple in wedding attire stands on a sandy beach with ocean waves in the background on their wedding day.
Newlyweds share a toast with champagne glasses at sunset near a rustic wooden fence.
A couple stands on the balcony of a historic red brick church building with arched windows and decorative architectural details.
A couple stands on a wooden deck overlooking a tranquil lake at sunset while wearing formal wedding attire.
A joyful wedding couple embraces in an intimate moment against a light gray wall.
Two figures stand together on grand stone steps in front of an ornate historic building with arched wooden doors.
A flowing white lace wedding dress cascades down concrete steps with a backdrop of a gray building with white railings.
White bridal shoes with bows peek through sheer tulle fabric against terracotta floor tiles.
Weathered hands with blue nail polish and rings rest on a floral patterned fabric.
Couple in formal wedding attire sitting together in a vintage room with checkerboard floors and rustic stone walls.
A newlywed couple celebrates joyfully on a mountaintop with green hills and cloudy blue skies in the background.
A couple shares a romantic moment outdoors, with someone in a black gown and another in white formal attire.
Low-angle architectural photo of a brick building with dark trim against bright blue sky.
A wedding couple stands in a lush garden pergola lined with climbing vines and greenery.
A romantic moment captured at a wedding reception with fairy lights and draped fabric creating a magical atmosphere.
A romantic sunset wedding photo shows a couple in formal attire sharing an intimate moment by the ocean.
A couple embraces on a rustic wooden deck surrounded by tall autumn grasses and blue skies.
A romantic wedding couple shares a dramatic dip pose in front of a modern industrial garage door with autumn trees reflected.

With love,

Jenna

Your forever hype girl, dress fluffer, memory catcher, and proud Michigan wedding photographer 🥰