Miles

He is almost a year old. Almost a year has gone by since this and we have all been eagerly watching as he learned to hold his head up, as he learned to make cute little sounds, as he learned how to sit up from being on his hands and knees, as he learned how to crawl, how to stand, and now almost how to WALK. With one adorable little tooth he gobbles down avocados and sweet potatoes and cheerios and waves ‘bye’ when someone leaves the house. He’s got a family full of people’s hearts wrapped around his teeny little fingers. It’s so much fun to watch a baby grow up, to watch them learning every single day, and to know that there will be something new about them nearly every time you see them. I’m completely smitten with this kid. He is happy almost 100% of the time and cuddles you when you hold him, there is nothing better than that.

This is miles, matt, and laura, just before christmas at a tree farm, keepin’ it classy and hella cute.

Kristyn - this kid is freaking adorable. wut.

Amanda and Josh

I don’t know if I’ve said this lately, but I love me a good winter engagement session. It’s something about the tones. The stark trees and those dark forest-y colors. And if I’m really lucky, some crazy out of this world light makes an appearance and seals the deal. I’m proud of all of my couples who will romp around in the Michigan winter with me for an engagement session. Trust me, it’s worth it. Amanda and Josh didn’t have snow to wet their socks, but don’t let their crazy happy smiles fool you, it was a bitterly cold day. A good one for them to snuggle up while I captured some of that I-just-want-you-by-my-side love that they’ve got. I can’t wait to see you two on your wedding day. It’s gonna be reallllll good.

abbey - favorite photo by far is the one where she is laying on his chest and looking right at your camera. damn. that’s good. you know i love me a cloudy engagement shoot. i love these.

two thousand twelve

Look at how far we’ve come. Two thousand and twelve has indeed been good to me. I am so energized for 2013, and so ready for what is to come. It is a year full of unknowns, where as 2012 was more of a charted course. I have a lot of images to share with you, almost all of which you’ve already seen if you’ve been following along, but instead of just showing you the same old thing, I decided to try out a different editing process with the images, just to- you know- jazz it up a bit, have a little fun. You can let me know what you think. Warning: get comfortable.

This was 2012.

+ welcomed the most adorable boy into the world, who will soon be my nephew
+ stood in the wedding of one of my best friends
+ celebrated the engagement of another one of my best friends
+ quit my part time job and worked exclusively as a photographer
+ completed my senior thesis
+ graduated college
+ got engaged

This is what 2013 holds.

+ turning 23
+ traveling to palm springs and las vegas with some wonderful ladies
+ seeing Rihanna live for the second time (YES)
+ getting married
+ going on a honeymoon (double YES)
+ shooting a lot (a lot) more weddings than i ever had in one year
+ finding the perfect pair of boots (i’m determined)

So cheers to 2013, the people I haven’t met, the adventures that will happen, and images that will be made.
Hot damn.

stephanie doody - Hey girl of my past….
saw you on pintrest and followed up on your website. You go lady…full fledged photographer, engaged!! and a nephew?! I am so missing you…do share!
we just welcomed our 2nd son…Levi Franklin. So happy and tired :)
hope you are well…xo Stephanie Doody

Emily Vermaat - Great job :) so happy for your amazing year and equally amazing year to come! Plus Happy Engagment!

Chelsea Marie - Ohh Jill! Love seeing all your brilliance at once! So excited to see were 2013 takes you! :)

Carleigh - You’re awesome Jill. I love you to pieces and hope you know how talented you are! These are lovvvvely.

amanda vanvels - super impressed. what a good year for you!!! solid set of photos.

Carleigh and Aaron

There has been a lot of excitement around here lately, our tree is officially up (!!!) and Christmas is quickly approaching, despite the fact that I have yet to buy a single present. I finally graduated from college last week and have been celebrating every day (by sleeping in til 9am). Alsooooo the week before I graduated, I got engaged! My fiance, Drew, and I will be getting married this August and have already been excitedly planning (scheming) away.

Today I get to share with you the engagement pictures of one of my very dearest friends and her wonderful fiance. Carleigh and I met a little over 3 years ago during our sophomore year of college. From that day on it has been a never-ending competition of who can make the most paper snowflakes, eat the most rainbow chip frosting, drink the most coffee (I will always win), and watch the most Friends (tie). Yes, It IS a competition. I am SO excited that we get to be engaged at the same time, and that I get to be the one with the camera. And even MORE excited to have her stand next to me in my own wedding. Carleigh and Aaron- you two are perfect. And by the way you still owe us dinner.

michigan holland engagement session | Ever Ours - [...] on the blog.  more from this session are found over here. [...]

justine montigny - super cute, jill!

Hannah Nicole - holy cow, these are beautiful. lovely job. :)

Emily Kummer - These are so beautiful! It looks like a J.Crew catalog with lots of love and romance. I’ve never met you but I totaaaally want you to do my engagement pictures :).

Scott - Beauty meets beauty – my daughter and your work. So well done Jill. Thanks for your labor of both love and creativity which are enduring gifts.

Meagan Norman-Meadows - You never let me down Jill.
I love these photos! They capture Carleigh’s essence so well! I am so happy for these two, and you and Drew as well!

And if I ever get married, I hope to someday make in the the gallery of your amazing work! OH!!…. congratulations on Graduating!

Carleigh - Love love love them Jillll. Your little post made me cry. I love you so much it’s unreal. Why doesn’t someone take pictures of US one of these days…?

Chelsea Marie - JILL! You are so good! & captured there love so perfectly! Love your talent! BEAUTIFUL!

jonna and aaron

Alright.

These two.

Who knew that someday I’d be photographing the wedding of the girl who pierced my ears in her kitchen. I like it.
We drove down Mission Point Peninsula, pulling over whenever we saw something we liked. This girl has so much life and spirit. She has that kind of laugh that makes you feel hilarious. Aaron, you are one lucky guy, you two fit together just right. Thanks for adventuring up north with me, if your wedding is any bit as fun as that day then you guys are gonna have one hell of a party.

Side note: every engagement session should end with a goat cheese pizza and beer at the Jolly Pumpkin. I guess it doesn’t have to be a goat cheese pizza every time, but still all the rest of the stuff.

Chelsea Marie - What a perfect engagement session! I am loving all of these!

Megan - Jillian, these are by far the best photos I’ve seen in a very long time. Landscapes, lighting, and subjects are amazing.

abbey - these rock. i love these, so much.

Anni - Jillian, these are stunning. My favorite session of yours to date, they’re just magical.

Emily - really good, especially love the ones on the beach with that lighting!

jenn - wow wow wow – these are some of your best, jillian! stunning images!

Annika Fouch - These are wonderful! She is a beautiful creature and these are beautiful photos. They feel as part of some folk love song. Well done!.