EMBRACING HONESTY & SINCERITY IN IMPERFECTION

where wedding photography become magic

creating images dripping with nostalgia

For the lovers who not only want images of how their wedding day looked, but how it felt

inspired by the old photo album tucked away in your mother's basement

capturing the beauty of unscripted wedding day moments

balancing the unique elegance in the details with the ebb & flow of true emotion

wrapping your wedding day up in whimsical artwork

I'm Kristen

DESTINATION WEDDING, MICRO WEDDING & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER LIVING IN HOLLAND, MICHIGAN

And I do things a little differently than most wedding photographers

I've been photographing weddings and elopements for 8 years now and have witnessed hundreds of nuptials. It's taught me a few things about what matters most on your wedding day.

It's not perfectly arranged invitation photos or stiff portraits. It's the emotion. It's more than capturing how your wedding looks, but how it feels. And I can perserve those moments for you.

If you're looking for perfect, posed, traditional wedding photos, I'm probably not your girl. And that's okay! I want you to have your wedding day captured in the way you dream of.

BUT if you're looking for something a little different. A little more candid. A little more nostalgic. A little more editorial meets documentary. A little more artsy, yet stands the test of time, I just might be your girl.

Choosing a photographer is a lot like choosing your wedding guide. They set the tone for the entire day. You want someone who you can vibe with and vibes with you. You want a photographer who can handle the unexpected and will roll with punches. Someone who is experienced enough to make split decisions and micro adjustments when it matters most. Someone who sees your wedding day moments from a unique artistic viewpoint, all while easing your nerves & making you laugh.

I can be that person for you.

LOVE NOTES

"Picking Kristen to photograph our wedding day and the moments leading up to it was one of the first and best decisions I made regarding our wedding"

"Picking Kristen to photograph our wedding day and the moments leading up to it was one of the first and best decisions I made regarding our wedding. The minute I met with Kristen I KNEW she was the one we wanted to be a part of our wedding! She was so relaxed but focused, and was more than a photographer. She was a friend, a fresh eye to give wedding thoughts, someone I could count on and trust. When Kristen took our engagement photos we instantly felt so comfortable, she didn't make us do weird or cheesy photos. She simply captured us in our element, just loving and interacting with each other. Leading up to the wedding she created our timeline, helped me decide times for ceremony, pictures, sunset pictures, everything. She was never pushy or bossy, always very loving and encouraging with her advice. The best part was I fully trusted her, because of that I felt no stress going into the big day, because I knew she would take that on for me. I am so thankful we chose her and now I have a lifelong photography friend, which always comes in handy! Even looking back at our photos a year later - I am in awe of how she captured our special day and will remember it beautifully forever."
Devyn & Brian

"Choosing Kristen was the best decision we made by far throughout the whole wedding process."

"First and most importantly, Kristen is just an amazing human. She’s so responsive and professional plus she just genuinely cares about what matters to you on your day. We really felt taken care of and had no worries with her helping us.
Secondly, her photos are just astonishing. I’ve had so many people ask who our photographer was for our engagement session/wedding, I’m always happy to direct them to Kristen because I know they would be 150% satisfied if they went to her. It was the best decision we made by far throughout the whole wedding process."
Chelsie & Reid

"Our wedding day photographs are a treasure"

“Everyone desires to have their story told in a way that truly portrays the value + emotion of their life at a given time – and ours, in this season, happens to be a story of redemption, freedom + love. The way Kristen tells stories through her lens is remarkably captivating + there was no question that we wanted our day to be captured + shared through her perspective. We knew we weren't just 'hiring' Kristen, but choosing to make an investment... in us, for our day.Our wedding day photographs are a treasure. Now those precious once-in-a-lifetime moments aren't just memories running through our minds but moments captured. Tangible reminders of… redemption, freedom, + love. Our story was a story well told.”
Ali & Cam

"her genuinely warm and caring spirit was shone through in every email"

“When my husband and I decided to elope in Chicago, I felt completely lost booking a photographer because there are so many to choose from and I lived in a different country! I enlisted my wedding photographer friends to find someone for me, and they raved about Kristen’s work. Even though all of our correspondence before the big day was through email, I felt like I had already met her and made a new friend because her genuinely warm and caring spirit was shone through in every email. When it came to the day of our elopement, Kristen was FLAWLESS! I was worried that having a photographer might put a damper on our elopement because my husband dislikes having his picture taken, but Kristen reassured me that she loves authentic moments, and we’d never hear, “look at the camera and smile.” She was right!! Kristen’s playful yet relaxed and professional vibe was just perfect for us to stay in the moment and not be distracted by having our pictures taken. We adore the final photos. Kristen’s work precisely captured the excitement and happiness of the day!”
Barbara & Chris

"We love our photos so much!! I’m also so obsessed with our wedding album that we will cherish for years to come! I literally can’t say enough good things about her!"

Kristen was by far the perfect photographer for our wedding day (s!) When Covid happened, she was so amazing with helping us deal with the stress and was seriously such a gem. She shot our “micro” wedding and our BIG celebration, one year anniversary! Both extremely hot hot days and she was such a pleasure to work with, helping us forget about the heat! Our family and friends loved her and all made a point to mention how wonderful they thought she was. We love our photos from both days so much!! I’m also so obsessed with our wedding album that we will cherish for years to come! I literally can’t say enough good things about her!! <3
Alexis & Matthew

"In the end, you HAVE to pick a photographer whose work moves you. Speaks to you. Someone you can get along with. Someone who will be a friend. I couldn't have found a more perfect soul to accompany us on the beginning of this adventure."

“When it came to the actual day of the photos, Kristen was amazing. The last thing you want to be on such a special day is stressed, and with her there, my fiancé and I spent the whole time laughing, joking, and reminiscing on our love for one another. And now, actually having the photos in my hands to look at, I am in so much awe of what an amazing job she did. Every time I look at our photographs, I feel everything from that day all over. Which is a truly amazing feeling. The cold air, the nerves, and all the love. In the end, you HAVE to pick a photographer whose work moves you. Speaks to you. Someone you can get along with. Someone who will be a friend. And I know that person will be different for everyone. But for me, I couldn't have found a more perfect soul to accompany us on the beginning of this adventure. I will be forever grateful. Thank you a million.”
Sarah & Joe

Destination wedding photography that feels homegrown

All the gorgeous landscapes and stunning details but captured in a comfy, candid, unscripted, down-to-earth way.

I'm from central Illinois and I grew up surrounded by midwest charm. Cornfields, barns, single lane country roads, small towns, and slightly less than fabulous wedding options (although I will admit, weddings in my hometown will always have a special place in my heart and weddings have come a LONG way in the past decade!).

When I first started photographing weddings back in 2015, I dreamt of beautiful locations and backdrops like I (pinch me) get to photograph now. But I do still have that midwest girl in me and I take her with me to every wedding I photograph. The girl who sees beauty in the ordinary. Who cares more about the couple than the magazine spread. Who values connection over portfolio.

It isn't too difficult to hire a photographer for your elopement on the Amalfi Coast in Italy and make it look incredible, but there's something to be said about a photographer who has spent years turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Who sees beauty in every wedding and every couple and can highlight each moment with a unique charm that only comes from humble photography beginnings. Who genuinely roots for your future with your fiancé. Who will serve and show love to your friends and family on your wedding day. That's the kind of wedding photographer you want documenting your day.

JANUARY

JULY

Chicago, IL

Detroit, MI, Traverse City, MI

TRAVEL SCHEDULE

AUGUST

FEBRUARY

2023 Wedding Travels

Saugatuck, MI

Key West, FL

MARCH

SEPTEMBER

Madison, WI, Franklin, TN

Champaign, IL, Chicago, IL,

APRIL

OCTOBER

Chicago, IL, St Louis, MO

Starved Rock, IL

MAY

NOVEMBER

Holland, MI

Champaign, IL, Nashville, TN

Get in touch if I'll be in your area for wedding travels. If I'm around and available, no travel fees for sessions!

DECEMBER

JUNE

Holland, MI, Chicago IL

Marquette, MI

UNITED STATES

ABROAD

Destinations

FRANCE (Paris, Burgundy, Nice)

GREECE (Santorini, Athens)

JAPAN (Kyoto, Kobe, Toyko)

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (Punta Cana)

MICHIGAN (Holland, Marquette, Traverse City, & more)

ILLINOIS (Central, Chicago, (pretty much the entire state)

TEXAS (Dallas/Fort Worth)

CALIFORNIA (Joshua Tree, Yosemite)

FLORIDA (Key West)

WISCONSIN (Madison, Devil's Lake)

COLORADO (Buena Vista, Denver)

UTAH (Moab)

NEW MEXICO (Taos)

IOWA (Dubuque, Iowa City)

WASHINGTON (Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls)

ARIZONA (Sedona)

KANSAS (Topeka)

MISSOURI (St. Louis)

A few of the locations I have experience photographing:

> CLICK HERE <

Are you a photographer interested in education info or mentoring sessions?

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Now booking 2024

Limited 2023 dates available

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