Genevieve McKeiver Photography Blog

Emily & DJ Married ~kalamazoo wedding photographer~

Genevieve McKeiver Photography — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:15:30 +0000

The alarm went off nice and early Saturday morning (like 5:30am!!) for the morning wedding of Emily & DJ in Kalamazoo. On my drive down the clouds started moving in and it started getting darker. I was very excited to finally have a day that wasn’t full sun, but I wasn’t excited to see the rain that started falling. I arrived at the beautiful Kalamazoo Country Club to a swarm of girls getting all prettied up by the fabulous ladies of Idun Salon. Emily looked radiant, I could have photographed her all day, she is gorgeous!

I loved watching Emily and DJ interact with each other and their family and friends. They both have such big hearts and have to be one of the nicest, most sincere and outgoing couple I have meet. I mean they gave their wedding party high fives as they processed down the aisle after the ceremony! After their luncheon reception, we all piled on the party bus and took off around Kalamazoo. First stop, Western Michigan University and the Miller Auditorium. As soon as I saw the fountain, I knew exactly what I wanted the girls to do. But before I could say anything, the first thing out of Emily’s mouth was, “we are going in the fountain”! Yes!! I love this girl! So all of the girls hiked up their dresses and climbed in. We had a great time around campus and down at the bus station. It was a great day for a fabulous couple.

Thank you Emily & DJ for asking me to be a part of your day. I had an amazing time! Congratulations, I hope you had a great time in Mexico!!

Wind, Waves and Water

Genevieve McKeiver Photography — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 02:14:14 +0000

Every year there always is at least one day when the waves get to be over 5feet on Lake Michigan, and every year we talk about going to see them but we never make it out. So with today’s windy weather, we decided to finally drive out to Grand Haven to see the waves. We were not disappointed at all! It’s an amazing thing to see the waves crashing over the top of the lighthouse and to watch people jump in to ride them. It was even funnier to watch the people standing around on the pier getting doused by all of the water. It was a fun way to start the holiday weekend, I just wish it was a little bit warmer.

Happy Labor Day!

Baby girl Brynn ~grand rapids baby photographer~

Genevieve McKeiver Photography — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:15:43 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I drove out to Grand Haven to meet the adorable 6 day old Brynn! It’s only been a few short month since Ella was this little, and I really miss this size, it goes so fast. Brynn wasn’t the biggest fan of being unwrapped from her cozy blanket, but she made up for it by being so stinking cute! I know Brynn is going to be loved by many. Her parents have waited a while for her and you can see how much she is loved. I enjoyed watching the way her dad would hold and tend to her, so gentle and loving and not scared at all (like some guys can be). I can’t wait for Brynn to get older so Ella and her can hang out together. Congratulations Jane & Clair, I am truly excited for you two and I know you are going to be amazing parents!

Ella 5 months old ~grand rapids baby photographer~

Genevieve McKeiver Photography — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 02:57:23 +0000

It doesn’t seem like it was just 1 year ago we were celebrating that I was pregnant. And it sure doesn’t seem like it was just 5 months ago that Ella was born. I thought that the 15+ years of experience of babysitting would prepare me for motherhood. Oh no, I was so wrong!! No one comes home and pays you for watching her. You don’t get to leave her and go back to your quiet life, oh no, not at all! Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining, I absolutely LOVE being a mom. Yes there are the times when I just want to sleep in, well sleep in until at least 8am, go shopping at Target and not have rush out because she is screaming (seriously, how could she not love Target?), or take a long shower without having to go as fast as I can and constantly peek my head out to reassure Ella that I am right there. The days of smelling like my vanilla scented perfume are now replaced with the lovely smell of formula spit up. Despite the 30 minutes it takes me to write an email (one handed too), the countless diaper changes, bottle feedings, 3:30am wake up calls, and maybe if I am lucky, the 3-4 hours a day of work I might be able to get done, I wouldn’t change a thing. Nothing is better than in the mornings or after a nap when I come into her room to get her and she looks up and gives me the biggest smile, it just melts my heart.

I have come to realize that I can’t be supermom, superwife, and most importantly superphotographer. Life is about learning lessons and growing from mistakes. I have made my fair share this wedding season, but I know that at the end of the night, I am proud of myself and what I have accomplished. I never would have guessed that just 2 short years ago when I bought a canon rebel, which originally was just for fun, that I would have 18 weddings booked this year and 9 booked so far for 2011. Life has definitely thrown me some curve balls, but I believe that everything happens for a reason and I am where I am suppose to be. Yeah it might have taken me a few jobs, 3 years of nursing school and a lot of sleepless nights, but I can honestly say that I love what I do, it’s not just a job, it’s a passion.

Okay, enough of that. Back to my peanut butter and jelly (as I like to call her). I just had to share this stinking adorable picture of Ella. The girl smiles all of the time, but of course the second you put a camera in front of her, she gives you this look. But still, have you seen a cuter baby?? Yeah I might be a little partial but… I guess that just is the mother in me So happy 5 month Birthday RoRo!

Jessica & Nate wedding ~kalamazoo wedding photographer~

Genevieve McKeiver Photography — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:08:53 +0000

I first meet Jessica & Nate last year at Maren & Mike’s wedding, that Jess was a bridesmaid in. Knowing what their wedding was like, I knew that this one was going to be just as fun. The day was gorgeous with blue skies and white fluffy clouds and the bride was radiant in a beautiful dress with lace details, oh and some gorgeous shoes too! The day was filled with love, laughter and friends.

I always love hearing how couples meet, and usually I get the shortened version. That is why I love the speeches at the reception. You get to find out more about the couple than they could ever tell you first hand. Jess and Nate meet while working together at a golf course, and Nate would refer to her as “the hot blond”. I am sure that Nate never imagined that years later that “hot blond” would become his wife. It is funny how life works out.

Congratulations Nate and Jessica!