Xavier is all about the details. If I need a second shooter, he is still my top pick! He enjoys photographing the rings, shoes, and special items that our couples often include in their detail box. He is the "light tester" and the one who keeps family formals on track.
He's also the ultimate hype man, best dad, and he makes my ideas come to life.
Xavier
2nd shooter | Detail strategist
I stepped into a small business degree because it combined everything I loved doing: interacting with people, photography, writing, and design.
Getting to work with people and photograph their beautiful lives is something I adore and never want to take for granted.
emily
lead shooter | business manager
Our story
We tell stories about love, legacy, and all the moments in between
It wasn’t exactly love at first sight. We met at a summer camp in northern Michigan back in 2012… and I don’t think we said more than two words to each other.
Xav was the quiet punk who made his statements through mohawks, metal band tees, and a handlebar mustache. I was the homeschooled goofball, always cracking jokes and literally rolling on the floor laughing. We both thought the other was so obnoxious. And honestly—we were both a little right.
After camp, Xav started coming to my church and somehow we struck up a friendship… even though I kind of ignored him in person. We started texting, then calling. I loved how real he was—how he’d ask thoughtful, unexpected questions and really listen. Then he left for a mission trip (and also shaved his beard), and something shifted. The guy I’d been friend-zoning suddenly felt impossible to ignore—and, as it turned out, he felt the same. We got married in August 2015 and have been working side-by-side ever since. He’s my sweetheart, my hero, my best friend, and the best second shooter a girl could ask for.If we could ever make it through a personality test without laughing the whole way through, we’d probably confirm what we already know. We’re wildly different.
Xav is the steady, practical one. I’m the sentimental dreamer. He keeps us grounded, and I keep us reaching. What brings us together is a shared heart to love God, love people, and use this little business of ours to honor both. For ten years, we photographed weddings side by side. Summers were fast paced, emotional, and full of beautiful stories. We loved the couples we served and the work we did together. But as our own family grew and babies entered the picture, we began to feel a gentle shift. That season no longer fit our life the way it once did.
These days, I’m usually the one behind the camera, photographing families and extended families across mid Michigan. I bring all of my former wedding day skills with me, along with a whole lot of big sister energy. I grew up as the oldest of six, and the joy, laughter, and chaos of big families feels like home to me. I’ll guide your session with care, keeping things moving while making space for connection. I’ll wrangle the big groups, encourage laughter and kisses, help mom and dad sneak in a quiet moment, and make sure no one feels left out. My goal is for your session to feel calm, joyful, and effortless, even with a full crew.
Xav works quietly behind the scenes, caring for our two little ones, handling the numbers, and cheering me on every step of the way. Even when he’s not holding a camera, he’s holding space for this dream to grow. So whether we show up together or I meet you on my own, know that this business is built by both of us. With heart, intention, and a deep love for capturing families exactly as they are, in the moments that matter most.
We’d be honored to help you tell your story next.
celebrating little wins
looking at our own family photos
good food
traveling
reading and game nights
family time
of our favorite things
these are a few
i belong with you
you belong with me
you're my sweetheart
GALLERY No.
1
family time
Together is our favorite place to be. I am so incredibly blessed that I get to work from home and be with Felix and Dorothy while Xav works his day job at GM. In the evening, when Xav gets home from work, our favorite thing to do is plop down as a family in the play room. Watching the kids learn and encouraging them to play, read, and dance is such a joy! Seeing the world through their eyes is so beautiful. We are always joined in the playroom by our small zoo of pets who all see the floor time as an opportunity for cuddles. Our rescue dog, Shuri and our two cats, Gamora and Nebula, are all extremely sweet with the kids and they absolutely adore them. We are blessed to live in the same state as most of our family and we love any opportunity we get to see them.
Our lovely family photos were taken by my brother in law, Preston Baker.
GALLERY No.
2
game nights
Every since I met Xav, I've known about his love of board games. I thought I was a board game person and then I started playing with him. Xavier's grandpa was ranked #6 in North America for playing Scrabble. Game nights are intense but oh so fun! One of our favorite ways to relax after the kids go to bed is to get a treat and play a game together. Friday nights are game nights around here and we try to include the kids in whatever ways we can!
GALLERY No.
3
traveling
Xav and I have loved adventuring together and we've managed to see the most epic places while staying on budget! I am so thankful for the opportunities we have had to visit Prince Edward Island, the Grand Canyon, Colorado Hot Springs, Alaska, and Hawaii. We aren't afraid of a hike and we will camp literally anywhere (including on a snow bank above a river). We've lived in New Mexico and LA for a few months each and that experience cultivated a deep appreciation for the lovely seasons we get in the Midwest. It even helped me to somewhat appreciate the role of winter ;)
It's been a blast to get to bring Felix and Dorothy on our most recent adventures and we are eager to plan our next one. If you have suggestions for places we should go, let us know... bonus points if we get to photograph you there!
GALLERY No.
4
good food
One of our favorite wedding experiences was when we showed up to a reception and found Qdoba being brought in for dinner. Good food brings people together and creates an atmosphere for rich conversations, epic board game nights, wonderful wedding receptions, and lasting memories.
It is always a wedding day highlight when couples choose to bring in their favorite desserts, restaurants, and coffee as their reception catering.
GALLERY No.
5
looking at our old photos
Every night when we are in bed, right before we turn off the light, we look at old photos together. Usually they are photos from the day and Google memories but sometimes we look up a specific time and re-live memories from that time period. We love laughing about our dating memories and we revisit our our wedding photos several times a year. Felix's baby photos always make us swoon and we always say "awh he was so tinyyyy" when we see how different he was a year ago. Time flies and I am so thankful that there are specific moments that I can keep in a photo.
