When meeting with this cute engaged couple from Mason, Michigan for their engagement photos, I instantly fell in love. These two are constantly smiling and joking with each other through their whole engagement session. I was excited when Kalee introduced me to McNamara Landing in Mason where they have such a gorgeous view of the river, and some amazing fields and trails. I love fall photos especially with all of the color that we get here! These two were up for all of my crazy ideas and I’m so happy with how everything turned out.

Kalee and David met in the 6th grade but just never got the timing right. Kalee says “We’d always talk about our ‘what if’ story, and joke about how we were the other person’s ‘one who got away’. Fast forward 4 years, the timing was finally right. We met up for drinks and the rest was history”. I’m so honored to get to capture their wedding next May at the Bengel Wildlife Center near Lansing. Their vision is coming together and I know their day will be everything they have been dreaming of! Congrats again guys!

This classic and elegant wedding blew me away. Jen and Bradon celebrated their love in Downtown Grand Rapids and I was so excited that they chose me to be their photographer! These two met online while in college and bonded over their love for video games and making each other laugh! They were both so excited about seeing each other for the first time while they walked down the aisle. These two instantly became some of my favorite clients!

When I arrived Jen and her ladies were relaxing in their gorgeous robes and finishing up hair and makeup. When I asked for some of the details and jewelry Jen told me she’d be wearing some of her Grandmother’s wedding jewelry. It was such a sweet testament to the power of family and tradition. Her pearls made Jen glow. The guys arrived and were instantly a fun bunch to hang out with. I tasked my intern Gabby with snapping some photos of them and she commented on how easy they made her job. I love when the wedding party is just as pumped for the wedding as the couple, and it was clear that was the case for Jen and Bradon.

One of the most fun moments was when the flowers from Events by Ludema’s arrived. The girls were so giddy to see all of the details coming together. Jen grabbed her bouquet and stood in front of the long mirror in her suite and commented on how real it finally felt. After getting buttoned up into her gorgeous gown from Bridal Elegance we all got out first look at her, Jen was so radiant, definitely a gorgeous bride.

The short and sweet ceremony led to a quick flip of the room as they signed their license and Jen realized how odd it was to sign her new name. We headed out with the wedding party and walked to the infamous Blue Bridge where there happened to be another wedding. We snapped some photos and as we were walking back I noticed an ivy covered parking garage. I asked if it would be crazy to have them go up because I had an idea. After a few minutes I see Bradon appear who tells me that the elevator was broken (sorry guys!) but if you ask me the photo is so worth it.

We then went to the reception where we enjoyed sweet toasts, delicious dinner, and fun dancing. It’s always fun to talk with guests and meeting Jen’s family at dinner was a special treat. Throughout the whole day we were both welcomed and included in everything as if we were family, not just photographers. Jen and Bradon made the day go so smoothly and we had a blast with them. I know that this is just the beginning of a wonderful married life for them and we are both so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their story.

Katie and Colin have to be two of the most laid back and in love people I’ve ever met. When I met with them to talk about their wedding they just gushed about how excited they were to tie the knot. This was a day full of elegant details and romantic elements. The couple wanted it to be a relaxed wedding and they definitely achieved that.

One of the most fun elements of the day was the venue itself. Wildwood Family Farms in Alto, Mi provided a gorgeous backdrop that guests kept commenting on. Their donkey Pepperjack was a highlight for many people and the couple made sure to get some photos with him throughout the day. Wildwood’s gorgeous flowers and peaceful fields looked even more amazing at sunset and I was lucky enough to snag the couple for some photos during golden hour. I love being able to sneak them away and have them enjoy a quiet moment as newlyweds.

Although the ceremony was one of the shortest I’ve been to, what they lacked in length they made up in heart. There was not a dry eye as the two tearfully exchanged vows. After the ceremony guests enjoyed cocktail hour complete with lawn games and custom corn hole boards! The reception was lively and the DJ got everyone dancing, it was truly one of the most energetic receptions!

Throughout the day it was clear how in love these two were, and how supported they are by both families. Their vendors all came together to create a seamless day and I know that this wedding will be one I remember for years to come.

The Amazing Vendors:

Venue: Wildwood Family Farms in Alto, Mi

Dress: Hayley Paige from Bianka Bridal, Grand Rapids, MI

Bridesmaids Dresses: Vera Wang from David’s Bridal

Tuxedos: The Combatant Gentleman 

Florals: Stems Market Grandville, MI

DJ: Moments in Time Disc Jockeys

Bakery: Cakabakery Grand Rapids, MI

Catering: Nighthawk Catering Alto, MI

It’s always so intimidating to photograph another photographer, but I was totally up for the challenge! Kelci messaged me and wanted to get some photos of her and her adorable daughter while they were in Michigan visiting family. We decided to head to Riverside Park in Grand Rapids for a mini session! When they arrived we instantly clicked and Brooklyn opened up in front of the camera so quickly. Being a Grand Rapids based photographer I’m always looking for new locations and Riverside was beautiful. Brooklyn got to play on the playground, chase the geese, and look at the water. Such a fun time with them and I’m super excited about the sweet photos we captured!

Katy and Omar are the kind of couple that radiates joy and love. When I first met them we instantly clicked and I could see their excitement for their big day. They envisioned an elegant and classic wedding day that brought together both of their cultures. It was important that both the families felt welcomed and part of the day. During the father toasts it was clear how much love and acceptance the couple had from their friends and families.

Even though it had been pouring most of the day the clouds parted just in time for their afternoon ceremony. We took a short break and walked over to the cutest little ice cream shop. Something they highly recommend for every couple on their wedding day. The reception was high energy thanks to the band and amazing dancing. Omar’s best friends who are lovingly known as the “sketchys” threw him up on their shoulders and paraded around the reception. It was the perfect ice breaker and got everyone on the dance floor!

I’ve never seen such a perfect couple, they truly embody diversity and love. I’m so grateful to be allowed to photograph these weddings where I end up learning so much not only about photography, but about the world.

Venue: Grand Ledge Opera House

Catering: Zaytoon Lansing

Event Planning: Barb Joseph

Linens/Decorations: Get Linens

Dress: David’s Bridal

Suit: Custom Made

As Summer winds down and kids are going back to school you are probably sitting there thinking how fast time is flying by. It seems like just yesterday that your baby was born and no matter how hard you try, they just keep getting older! One of the best ways to preserve time is doing family photos. It’s one of those things that always sounds like a good idea but it’s hard to find the right photographer or the time to do it. I’ve compiled some tips to help you get the most out of your experience and create the best possible photos for you to cherish.

1: Let things go

It might be counter intuitive to let things go during a photo session that will last forever, but perfectly ironed clothes and toothy smiles might not be genuine to your family. If your family loves playing tag outside maybe think about including that in the photos. The goal as a photographer is not to force authenticity but rather capture things as they are. Your kids will only fight back if they are being prodded to pose a certain way. By allowing family interactions to happen naturally you’ll ultimately get better photos with more emotion and less bickering. It’s hard as a parent to step back and let things happen sometimes, but I promise the end product is worth it. Just relax and let your photographer guide the session.

2: Coordinate, don’t match

I can’t tell you the amount of times people ask me for outfit advice for family sessions and this is always my answer. Coordinate, don’t match. Picking a color scheme or type of material to work with helps kids when choosing clothes, and it lets them feel like part of the experience. Wearing all denim and a red bandana isn’t going to look cute, I know it might sound like it, but maybe wearing all jeans and letting your family choose pops of red would work better. It’s important not to overwhelm the image with your clothing, and just let the emotions speak for themselves. If you are looking at the photos 10 years from now the photos will turn out much better with a classic look rather than one that can be dated. That being said, if your family always wears a certain type of clothing, wear that! We want you to be comfortable in what you have on, so you can focus in the moment and not on the tag poking your neck.

3: Think of this as an investment

I get it, photos can be expensive, but when you look at it as an investment it starts to become more doable. When you think of your grandparents or even your parents they probably had tons of albums filled with photos. I know my Grandma has hoards of albums filled throughout the years. She always tells me that film was one thing she spent more money on because she wanted to remember all of the moments of her life. In the world of social media I can bet that you probably haven’t had a professional photo taken in the last year, or even printed a photo on paper. If social media disappears what is left? I want to make sure that families have tangible memories of their years together. While photography might not be in your budget right now, think of saving some extra money and investing in your family.

4: Location, location, location

I’m sure you all have heard how much location matters in real estate, but what about photos? If you are going to invest in photos we want to make sure that the location of them speaks to your values and family lifestyle. There are tons of great city locations especially here in Grand Rapids, but also super close to the beach and wooded areas. Lots of the best locations are hidden so find a photographer who has lots of experience with finding locations!

5: Have fun!!

It may seem obvious but photo sessions themselves can be super fun and can be a great bonding experience. Finding activities or locations that mean something to you an your family help you relax and just enjoy the time spent together.Let your kids be a part of the planning and get excited about being in front of the camera. If you are like most people once you get a professional family session done you’ll be coming back for years to come!

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So I had a crazy thought back a few months ago. What if I had an intern? I love mentoring and I knew how important it was to get my first few weddings under a well known photographer. I started thinking of students at Kendall, where I just graduated, and Gabby came to mind. She had expressed an interest in learning more about the commercial side of photography and more specifically, weddings. I contacted her and we quickly set up a time to meet. I loved her energy and we clicked instantly. Gabby will be coming with me to 4 weddings, one of which was the amazing wedding in Grand Ledge this last weekend.

I asked her a few questions to introduce her to you and I hope you’ll join me in welcoming her to the team!

This sunset engagement session gave me all sorts of nostalgic feelings! Lia is one of my oldest friends, I knew her in kindergarten, and to see her fall in love is so special. When I found out she had gotten engaged on the 4th of July I was giddy! I knew that I wanted to get these two in front of my camera, so we made it happen! We headed to Asylum Lake preserve around sunset and trekked through the grass and only got poked a few times. I loved how enthusiastic they were to get down and dirty to get the shots I had envisioned. During our time together I got to witness how special this relationship is. I saw Lia open up in front of the camera and Wil was so supportive and just fun to be around. I’m so happy that we got to do this and can’t wait to see them grow together <3

When I found out that Lizzie was coordinating a same sex styled shoot I jumped at the chance to help! Lizzie is an amazing stylist at Bianka Bridal in Grand Rapids and when she attended a conference recently the idea for this shoot was born. She was interested in exploring neutrals, gorgeous florals by Damsel Floral, all paired with geometric backdrops. I think we nailed it to be honest! This was my first styled shoot and to say I was intimidated was an understatement, but Lizzie and the team at Bianka made me feel so welcome. Our gorgeous models Kierstynn and Anna rocked the hell out of these dresses and were so willing to try out my crazy ideas. I’m so honored that I was included in this experience and can’t wait to team up again!

Photography: Liv Lyszyk Photography

Florals: Damsel Florals

Styling: Lizzie Russell

Makeup: Valentina Vella

Jewelry: Haute Bride

Dresses: Bianka Bridal, Lazaro Bridal & Alessandra Rinaudo

Hey you,

I see you out there hustling your butt off just to make that passion project turn a profit. I see you endlessly scrolling on an app that doesn’t think of you as anything but a number. I see you feeling defeated, deflated, and doubtful. I’ve been in your shoes. In fact I’m usually wearing those shoes once a week if not more. But I want you to know that it’s worth it, and I want you to know that you are enough.

When I first thought of what it would be like to be a professional photographer I imagined traveling the country, having tons of clients that I loved, and being able to sleep in every day. If you think being an entrepreneur is going to be easy let’s get that thought right out of your head. It’s not. Do I travel? yep. Do I have lots of clients that I love? Sure do. Do I get to sleep in most days? well kinda. But I’ll be honest, there are more frustrating days than great ones. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do it, and it doesn’t mean that this isn’t what I would choose to do with my life over and over.

If you haven’t read Elizabeth Gilbert’s book “Big Magic” stop reading this, go buy a copy, download it on audible, and soak it in. It’s life changing. One of the things that stood out to me most was when she wrote this passage, “‘What’s your favorite flavor of shit sandwich?’ What Manson means is that every single pursuit—no matter how wonderful and exciting and glamorous it may initially seem—comes with its own brand of shit sandwich, its own lousy side effects. As Manson writes with profound wisdom: ‘Everything sucks, some of the time.’ You just have to decide what sort of suckage you’re willing to deal with. So the question is not so much ‘What are you passionate about?’ The question is ‘What are you passionate enough about that you can endure the most disagreeable aspects of the work?'”. This is what it means to be a creative person.

When you truly love what it is that you do, you will stop at nothing to make it happen. Do you want to have your product in 10 local stores? Go out and knock on 30 doors, chances are at least one of them will love you. Do you want to write a book? Open your laptop or grab a pencil and just write, even if it’s only for a half hour. If you don’t think you can do it, I dare you to prove yourself wrong. Who cares if you only get your product in one store instead of 10? You did what a lot of people don’t ever do. Who cares if you don’t get a New York Times Bestseller spot? You wrote something that you loved. We need to stop making it about doing everything perfectly, and more about doing those few things we are so passionate it keeps us up at night, really really well.

Our talents are given to us for a purpose, even if it is to only make an impact on one person. Even that makes this worth it. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve wanted to give up. If I gave up I wouldn’t have gotten to capture images of a baby coming into this world, and I wouldn’t have captured a father daughter dance that they didn’t think would ever happen. Just because it might not mean something to the whole world, does not mean it doesn’t mean the world to someone. What you are doing matters. You have to remember that.

I’m not saying every day will get easier, but you can do it. There is power in perseverance and the right mindset. If you do nothing else today I want you to look in the mirror and say out loud “I can do this”. It may seem silly at first and really uncomfortable, but sending that thought into the universe will bring you exponential growth. That pit you feel in your stomach when you dream big is there for a reason. Listen to it and remember that this feeling is there to show you that you are doing something important. You can do big things. You are doing important things. You are enough and you can do it!

XOXO Liv