Now, natural beauty could reflect many things these days. But what I want to focus on is the little girl that was recently born. Because of the beautiful weather I was able to get most of her newborn pictures outside in the natural light, with wood and trees as our backdrop. Couldn't have asked for a better backdrop or more beautiful setting. Enjoy her small-ness because already she seems way too big now.

Jon and Terra welcomed a little one into their home recently, and I was allowed to capture her beauty and the moments that we parents want to remember forever. The tiny, chubby arms. The adorable smiles and giggles. All of the smallness that goes away all too quickly. 
Photography allows us to capture moments to return to and to help us remember all the little things we love. 

You are beautiful people inside and out. So thankful for you Jon and Terra!

A beautiful (little hot) but sunny, gorgeous day in Holland, MI and a beautiful family of girls (and Barney) to photograph. It was a wonderful session with smiling faces, lots of giggles, and some of the most patient parents I know. Thank you Gamboa's for letting me photograph your beautiful family. Here are some highlights.

And below is what happens on any good photo shoot. The in-between shots.

Thank you for sharing the beautiful, sunny day with me Gamboa's! Your family is precious and I'm so privileged to capture you all.

This beautiful couple is going to have their baby in the next 2-4 weeks and I'm so excited I got to take pictures of this gorgeous mama's bump before that baby comes out. Kyle and Meghan are wonderful people who invest in others all. the. time. They care deeply, they are very responsible, and are still SO in love. These characteristics will help them be the wonderful parents I know they will be. Here's your preview before you meet your sweet little someone!

Thank you so much for letting me capture this special time of expectancy and excitement in your lives Kyle and Meghan. I'm SO excited for your growing family!
Elise

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged, but sometimes that's just what happens when you have two little ones. I wouldn't change a thing, but I am glad to be getting back into photography and taking more and more photos of growing adorable families and getting to post them here on my blog!

First up, this year's spring mini shoot. I had two wonderful families come for the mini shoots this spring and both were beautiful sessions. One of my friend's Sarah helped out, for which I am super grateful. Her house and ability to make children smile was the perfect place and atmosphere.
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Here are some from the beautiful families I had the chance to photograph.

Thank you so much to the Hall and Hamilton families for letting me take your pictures. If you are the kind of family that likes a quick and easy mini shoot, be on the lookout for a Fall Mini Shoot (2017) date to be coming your way soon - September or October!

Keep on taking those pictures!
​Elise

So this blog post won't apply to last year's photo book, but it will make making a photo book of 2014 a whole lot easier! And really, it just takes one simple thing. A folder. You read that right, a folder dedicated to 2014. Now this folder is not just any folder. And it is not a folder that is organized by date, category, or event. 

Every time you put pictures onto your computer this year for archiving them, take a minute  or two to pull out your favorites and put them in a folder. Label it whatever you want to, but make sure it is the only place for these favorites. Also, make sure you are copying the pictures in to this folder, not cutting and pasting them. Copying them will keep them in their archived position and allow your next yearly photo book to be a breeze.

At the end of next year, when you go to make your photo book; choose Shutterfly, Mpix, Snapfish (whichever you prefer) and upload your folder of 2014 favorites. Once the files are uploaded, create your book! Easy Peasy!

I hope this makes 2014 a wonderful year for you and creates less stress as you try to capture and archive all of those wonderful memories.

Happy 2014 and here is our Christmas Card created by using the favorites folder for archiving! Enjoy!

So, in just a few short weeks, we will be welcoming a little baby girl into our family (as long as the ultrasound tech was correct) - making our family no longer just a twosome, but a threesome. We are quite excited for her arrival and anticipating it with joy and eagerness. We do not know her name yet, but stay tuned to the blog and the ENS Photography Facebook Page, as we will announce it there once she is here.

As far as this relates to photos, I will not be doing photo shoots for November and most of December, taking time to care for our new little one. I WILL be editing past shoots, continuing to check email once a week, booking shoots for next year, and continuing to post updates on the blog and the Facebook Page - so stay tuned for more cuteness and loveliness to come soon. 

If you are wanting to book me for a shoot for next year, please DO SO as soon as possible! By booking before December 31, 2013, you will still receive this year's (2013) prices. If you book after January 1, 2014, prices will be increasing. So please share this news with your friends and family members and book NOW! :)

I am so excited to share in this new adventure of motherhood with you and look forward to capturing even more of your special moments on film as the year unfolds. Thank you to all of those wonderful friends and family who have been so supportive and encouraging during this time. We greatly appreciate it!

And because I can't just leave you without sharing some pictures, here are some pregnancy pictures that we took back when the weather was nicer. Thanks to Verald Stevens for taking a few shots for us and to my husband, Peter, who always makes me feel beautiful (and took a couple of shots as well). Enjoy my baby bump at 30.5 weeks along (and now I'm 37 weeks...wow, how time flies).

So I've known both Jon and Terra from different phases of my life and am so excited that they got married a few weeks ago. Now, I'm a little behind on my posts, so this is their engagement post, but I am so happy for them!

I knew Jon from Hope College and playing on the worship team at our church. We graduated the same year and although we were never quite in the same friend circle at Hope, I always knew he would be good for someone, someday. As I got to know him on the worship team, I couldn't help but try to think of someone to hook him up with; however, I know to not meddle in trying to pair someone up - give opportunities, sure - but not hook them up or anything.

I knew Terra from being a part of the same Bible/book study and thoroughly enjoy having her as a great friend and one that I know I can always go to. I loved when she came back from Zambia (she was over there for 9 months, and then another 6 or something :)). It was always good to catch up and feel like although time had taken place and things had happened, we could just pick up where we left off.

And then the two started getting to know each other. You see, Jon was the contact at our church for our Zambia focus team. So he kept in contact with Terra and what was going on overseas. When she came back, they had begun to hang out and shortly thereafter began dating. It was a bit of a long road as she was heading back to Zambia, but they certainly learned persistence and perseverance. So this is their engagement photo shoot...and stay tuned because in a few weeks I'll have more of their wedding. I raise my glass and wish you both the best Jon and Terra! So excited for you!

So imagine your perfect Sunday morning...unless your perfect Sunday morning involves rain, cause that thankfully did not happen at this session. For this lovely 2 year old - the weather was perfect, the rocks were fun, and her smile was super genuine. Enjoy Arawyn's 2 year photos.

I feel like she looks so grown up in this next one.

And last, but not least...the red dress :)

So I am privileged to have known Laura for a while and was so excited to photograph her wedding day. When she told me she had met someone in California I wished her the best, but knew that being long distance is never easy. And then I saw that she got engaged - and was SUPER excited for her. Her face beamed with excitement, a smile you'll see in many of the photos. And although I didn't meet Ryan until the day of the wedding, I could tell just by saying hi that he was great for Laura.

Both following God's leading in their lives and knowing that they were going to be stronger together than they were by themselves - they had decided to commit their lives to one another. And in knowing Laura, I knew she had chosen well.

The day went wonderfully. It was a bit cloudy in the morning, but the rain held off for us and presented a gorgeous day of love, life, and happiness that I'm sure will continue for them. Here's how I captured the day. (Beware, there are a LOT of photos, so just keep scrolling :))

A few last minute details.

Sisters are truly the best.

Congratulations Laura and Ryan and thanks so much for letting me be a part of your special day!