{Their Words~My Art Thursdays} Mid Michigan Senior Photographer

"Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend" ~Albert Camus

{Their Words~My Art Thursdays} Mid Michigan Senior Photographer

‎"Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space. It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe. It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished". ~Michael Strassfeld

Featured Senior ~ Kelsey ~ Fulton High School

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.

Their Words~My Art Thursdays...{Mid Michigan Child Photographer}

"Look and think before opening the shutter. The heart and mind are the true lens of the camera" ~Yousuf Karsh

A special thanks to little man "D" for being my helper for this shot for my website. You were the perfect little model!! :) Can't wait to share more pics from this session!! :)

till next time...

Nic and Kayla are Married {Mid Michigan Wedding Photographer}

Nic and Kayla...thank you for letting me be apart of your special day. I know there are lots of people excited to see some wedding photos, so I will not keep you in suspense any longer :) I hope you enjoy your sneak peek!!

Loved the firetruck :)

These are always my favorite shots...moments that just happen.

I loved her bouquet.

The gorgeous bride...

and her bridesmaids....

This made me smile so I had to post it. I walked in just before the wedding for last minute checks and there is Kayla on her blackberry. I said, what are you doing girl? Her message says this "GETTING MARRIED IN 15 MINUTES!!!" How cute is she :)

And this was another moment that made me smile. You just wait...someday this little lady will be a photographer :) I do however feel bad for her parents as I am sure they had a few hundred or thousand photos to sort through...lol. She was adorable though :)

And 1 more from the firetruck. This is similar to the teaser photo I showed in my last post. I think these 2 pics would look awesome hanging side by side. I love them both!! :)

Congrats again!! Hope you enjoyed your sneak peek!! :)

Congrats Nic and Kayla {Mid Michigan Wedding Photographer}

Yesterday I spent the day with this wonderful couple. I just want to extend my Congrats to both Nic and Kayla!! I wish you both all the best and I thank you so much for letting me be apart of your special day. It has been such a pleasure getting to know you both over this past year!! More pics to come soon :)

Their Words~My Art Thursdays...{Mid Michigan Family Photographer}

"The world is filled with undiscovered wonders. Come, little one, let's find them out together."
~Emilie Ahern

Miss "L" {Michigan Child Photographer}

Miss L came from Bay City, Michigan to have some playtime with me and my camera...and we had lots of fun. It was fun to watch her discover a world of new things that day...and I almost got to watch her take her first steps. I knew she'd be walking soon after...and a few days later she was :)

She loved the flowers...
the touch...
and smell...


I think the dirt was her favorite thing...lol :)

And a little refresher at the end of the session :)

Thanks for making the trip my way "R" family to let me capture your little ones memories!! I had a great time with you!!

Adam & Whitney are Married!! :) {Mid Michigan Wedding Photographer}

Adam and Whitney, thank you for allowing me to share in your very special day. It was such a pleasure getting to know you both and your families!! You are a beautiful couple and I wish you many many blessings.

Their wedding took place in Mt.Pleasant Michigan, it was an absolutely perfect day for a wedding. After the ceremony...we headed downtown Mt. Pleasant for some pictures. I love shooting in their beautiful downtown it has such character and made a perfect backdrop for their wedding photos!!

I love the outside of this building. Aren't they a beautiful couple!!

Had to include this one, this is the guys arriving to the church for the wedding. A fun bunch :)

And the girls..."their" pose ;) I think I saw them do this pose for several cameras throughout the day :) Aren't they cute :)

Wedding party having a little fun downtown too!!

Have to go back to the wedding for a minute...this is little Miss "M"...the beautiful flower girl!! I don't know who she looked up while coming back down the isle but I remember how beautiful she looked the way the light hit that side of her face. She was such a gorgeous flower girl!! :)

And Miss "M" with her Daddy :)

After the downtown pics, we headed to a nearby park for a few more.

I loved that Whitney wasn't afraid to do anything in her dress...even lay in the grass for this shot, which I LOVE!! :)

Hope you enjoyed your little peek into your big day :) Congrats Adam and Whitney!!

Alma High School - Class of 2011 - Senior Rep Special {Michigan Senior Photographer}

Last week I announced my Alma High School Senior Rep-Hailee Chubb. You can see the full post HERE. Hailee now has her rep cards, so GO find her, grab one and turn it in at the time of booking for some free goodies!! :)

But we are going to make the deal a little sweeter. For the next week if you pre-book your session with Hayley Hamlin Photography you can get this awesome new product as well!!

No more boring wallet boxes, check these out!! Custom Wallet Boxes feature favorite photos from your session on the outside and inside...fill it up with the wallet package purchase of your choice. New bookings in the next week will receive the box that holds 48 wallets (you do have the option to upgrade to larger box). Wallets are not included with the box and must be purchased separately. However if you turn in your rep card...remember you have 2 free sets of wallets coming to start filling your box with :) This awesome deal ends next Wednesday (April 28th).

Here are a few pics of the wallet box featuring Hailee :)


So...what are you waiting for!! Book your appointment today!!

Hayley Hamlin Seniors-Original Senior pictures that are all about YOU!! Remember...you do NOT have to attend Alma High School to take advantage of these deals!! If you go to a different High School in the Mid Michigan area and want me to capture your senior style...give me a call!!

Alma High School - Class of 2011 - Senior Rep {Michigan Senior Photographer}

It is my pleasure to introduce to you Hailee Chubb. Hailee is my Class of 2011 Senior Rep for Alma High School.

Hailee's rep session happened on what was quite possibly the windiest day I've ever seen in Michigan. I was waiting for the tornado to touch down or for us all to blow away...LOL. But she was an absolute trooper!! We worked through it and used the wind to our advantage to create some gorgeous photos :) She is Absolutely STUNNING and it is my pleasure to have her represent me for Alma High School.

Ask her how you can receive free goodies for your senior session...or in the next couple weeks she will have rep cards with one of these photos on it, grab one from her, turn it in at the time of booking your session, and you will receive some special offers.

Thank you again to you and your mom for hanging out with me....you absolutely rocked this session :)

Rock your senior year with Hayley Hamlin Photography. For original senior pictures that are all about you! Hayley Hamlin Seniors Booking Class of 2011 sessions now!!