Welcome Home SPC Hammerle {Mid Michigan Photographer}

First off, I want to thank all of the service men and woman who serve our great Country!! Thank you to you and your families for the sacrifice you make on all our behalves!! God Bless!!

So a little history…I first met Alex in the Fall of 2007 to take his Senior pictures. When I met him, Becky became apart of my life too. She came along for his Senior shoot and we took photos of both of them together at both his senior shoot and hers a few years later. Since then I have become a regular in the family for senior pictures and the last to be in front of my camera was Alex’s brother Ryan. When Becky contacted me at the end of last year and told me about what she had in mind and asked me to do this, she sent me the sweetest email and I just sat there and cried. Truly to be apart of watching the Hammerle’s and Becky welcome Alex home… I wouldn’t miss it!! I felt greatly honored to be apart of this and was thankful to share in this moment.
I also firmly believe as it says in Romans, "We have different gifts according to the grace given us" Romans 12:6 and that God calls us to use our talents and this was an opportunity when I could do something for another family that gives such a great sacrifice to our country.

As anyone who is in the military knows, the exact day and hour of that return is unknown, so I marked off the 4 days we knew it could possibly happen in and Becky and I have been texting back and forth and Hayley literally was sleeping with her phone…lol. Sunday during church (sorry I had to keep the phone on during church for this one) the official text came that he would be catching an earlier flight and we were on our way. I have never been so nervous myself for a shoot, not only was the family pacing at the airport but so was I. I knew I was going to be emotional too, how could you not be? We weren’t able to get through security so we were just outside the security check in. The “photographer” in me saw the worst lighting situation I have ever been in, but as I looked at all the people standing around me, the parents, the sister, the brother, the girlfriend, the grandparents, the thankful Americans, I knew “the emotional value of these images FAR out weighed any technical value they could ever hold.” I was just honored to be there and thankful to witness this moment!!

Welcome Home Alex, thank you for serving our Country!!

Here is Mom, Dad, and Grandpa checking the flight schedule. They all made several trips to view the schedule!!


This was that moment when people started getting off his flight, the look on Mom and Grandma's face as they look back at Becky is priceless...

I can still see her jumping up and down!! Love this moment!!

My favorite...

Becky, Mom, Dad, and Grandma all joining in to welcome home Alex!!

Here is a complete video of the return home. If you haven't already, now would be a good time to grab some tissues. Remember to TURN OFF MAIN BLOG MUSIC before starting video. Main Music is located at the bottom of the blog.

Shepherd High School - Class of 2012 - Senior Rep {Mid Michigan Senior Photographer}

Representing Shepherd High School for the Class of 2012 is Ashley Bellmer. Wow, where do I begin with Ashley.... when she sent me her Rep Application back in the winter of 2010 I was taken aback by many things in her words. There was a sincerity in her love for my photography and excitement to not only have her photos taken by me but to represent my business. When I met her for her session I quickly noticed that she had what I call a very "quiet beauty". As you will quickly see she is very beautiful, but it's that kind of timeless beauty that you can stand back and simply observe through your lens. It wasn't something I felt needed to be posed and I quickly found myself treating her session more like a children's session and became a silent observer. I was so glad I picked the location I did for her shoot, because it allowed me to do that.

On that note of locations, I meant to say this in my last post as well. I am SO very thankful for the people who let me use their property for shoots. Most of both Ashley and Audrey's shoots were mainly on private property and I am so thankful for these locations. They allow such unique and original photos for my seniors. So again thank you so very much!!

Anyway, enough of my ramblings... and onto some beautiful image of Miss Ashley!!

This first one is probably my very favorite, but I must say that is really hard for me to pick a fave of these images.



This is one of those shots, I doubt she even knew I took. I caught her fidgeting with the vine. I just love it!! When I look at it, I "see" her.

Absolute timeless beauty...

Ashley loves flowers, I was so glad I knew where there might be some spring ground coverage :)




I still remember her breaking out in complete laughter while taking this shot. The shots of her laughing are adorable, but for this post I am sharing this one. Love the expression on her face :)

Again... another fave of her just simply being her...


Don't forget....If you attend Shepherd High School or any High School close by, look Ashley up and grab a rep card from her. It will get you some free goodies when you book your ORIGINAL Senior Session with Hayley Hamlin Photography!!
I am now booking summer and fall sessions and my schedule is filling up fast!! Let's tell your senior story :) Till next time...
http://www.hayleyhamlin.com/seniors/

Fulton High School - Class of 2012 - Senior Rep {Mid Michigan Senior Photographer}

Representing Fulton High School for the Class of 2012 is Audrey Maier. Audrey and I had quite the go at getting her rep session in too. The weather this spring has been pretty tough to work around. Our first go we got about 2 shots in and then it started raining so we had to call it and reschedule. Our second go was cold but thankfully as all my reps had to do this year she toughed it out and we got it done!! As you can see Audrey plays guitar, and it was my pleasure to listen to her play (even with frozen fingers...lol). I have heard some of her friends say that her and her guitar are like "peanut butter and jelly" so it was only fitting that it made it into several of her photos. And I had fun with it too!!

If you attend Fulton High School or any High School close by, look Audrey up and grab a rep card from her. She will have them by Monday and it will get you some free goodies when you book your ORIGINAL Senior Session with Hayley Hamlin Photography!!

Okay, let's get onto some pics :)

The first is one of my very faves and 1 you will see in a lot of my senior marketing this year :) It is cropped for my facebook page;)

The one is from our first "2 minute" session...lol. :)


Isn't she beautiful!! I know this is one of her faves :)

She hasn't seen this one yet ;) I love it!!

This is where you can all feel really bad for her, her arms are covered in goose bumps it was so cold, but she toughed it out :)

Another fave...

If you are looking for senior pictures that are original and all about YOU, then give me a call!! I am booking summer and fall sessions and my schedule is filling up fast!! Let's tell your senior story :) Till next time...

http://www.hayleyhamlin.com/seniors/

Alma High School - Class of 2012 - Senior Rep CONT... {Mid Michigan Senior Photographer}

A couple more of Mel, couldn't resist...she is just too beautiful not to share some more!! As I said in my last post, Mel is my Alma High School Senior Rep. She now has her rep cards, so if you go to AHS or a school close by grab a rep card from her to get some free goodies when you book your ORIGINAL senior session with Hayley Hamlin Photography!!

She can nail a pose like this in a heartbeat.....

...yet her laugh and smile is so contagious :)

Be sure to grab a rep card from Mel!! :)