Gorgeous {Grand Rapids Children's Photographer}

Isn't this family stunning? I love my job, I love that I get to meet all these new and fantastic families.

Thank you cute family for coming to get photographed!!

Class of 2011 Model Search {Grand Rapids Senior Photography}

MODEL SEARCH COMPLETE!

A big thank you to all that have applied! I'll be contacting the models chosen by email shortly!

Class of 2011 apply to be a senior model for Images of Essence. Click the link below. Models will receive a complementary session and lots of other goodies!

Deadline to apply is Monday, March 22.

Faith and Pizza {Grand Rapids Children's Photographer}

Usually it's "mamma" or "dada" or sometimes even "truck" or "ball". For Trey it was "pizza".

At 30 months Trey's first word is pizza or "tee-ahh" as he proudly says. Every little milestone that Trey reaches is a huge celebration in our house, I mean huge. You should have seen Joe and I shouting and jumping for joy when pizza came out, it was almost ridiculous how we acted. Our celebration was not complete without cheering, high fives, clapping and endless hugs for our little man.

When we first heard it we were all around the dinner table eating an on sale, taste like cardboard, frozen $3 pizza. Joe and I have gotten in the habit of talking about everything with Trey even though he doesn't talk back to us. When "tee-ahh" came out we both sat there stunned. After a minute of collecting ourselves, shouts of celebration rang loud in our house. It's a huge milestone for Trey. It was just so exciting to see Trey "get it" something we've been looking forward to hearing him do for so long now.

Since October when our family received Trey's diagnosis, I've been searching for comfort and the meaning of all of this. After the whole "tee-ahh" scene I've had a revelation and a strong one. I can imagine that when we do something right that our Heavenly Father feels a lot like Joe and I did at Trey's monumental moment of his first word. Can you imagine God doing the same thing when we get something right, when we "get it"? Angels dancing, music playing and God's big smile of approval. Like He's breathing a sigh of relief when we finally understand, when we realize that the bigger picture is not what's here on earth but when were looking onward and upward.

Since "tee-ahh" we've added apple, waffle and hot dog. Pizza is good, but faith is even better.

Whenever I get discouraged I listen to this song by NeedToBreathe (one of my favorite

Christian bands).

Giving Back {Grand Rapids Photographer}

** 2 SPOTS LEFT! EMAIL ME TO RESERVE YOUR TIME! **

I have some amazing friends that are doing amazing things.

Let me introduce you to one of those friends and a fellow photographer... Lindsey DeYoung. Lindsey and her husband Matt have such a huge heart for those that are suffering. Not just sitting back and watching from afar, Matt and Lindsey are heading to Tanzania to care and love for those that have no hope. Partnering with Grace Ministries they hope to raise all the funds needed and head to Tanzania as missionaries with their 2 girls in August. Follow their journey and read their story HERE.

Meet Trisha and Bjorn Olsen. Bjorn and Trisha have been serving as missionaries in Budapest, Hungary for awhile now. Catch up with them HERE. Joe and I have known them for quite some time but have recently become prayer partners and a support system for each other as we both have a child with Cerebral Palsy. Just recently their insurance company has denied their daughter of all her medically necessary therapies. Knowing what this family is going through and how important therapy is for their daughter - this outrages me, and I can't sit back and not help.

So.... here's where you come in. Mark your calendars and shoot me an email to sign up for a spot in my Saturday shooting marathon to help raise money for these 2 amazing families. Here's the scoop. Sign up for a half hour time and for $300 you will get 8-15 images on 1 high resolution disk with a print release so you can print your own. This is an incredible deal and a great opportunity to help these 2 families. The DeYoungs and the Olsens will each get $100 from every session spot filled. My goal is to fill at least 5 of these spots. Email me at kerrys@imagesofessence.com to sign up.

No! {Grand Rapids Children's Photographer}

was his favorite word. Seriously, everything was no. 2 years old is such a fun age and challenging at the same time. This little guy did fantastic despite the fact he didn't want to sit still for a second. Happy birthday to this little dude!!

Brothers {Grand Rapids Children's Photographer}

I met up with these adorable brothers last weekend and I have to say this was one of my favorite sessions so far. They were so full of personality and so much fun to photograph!!

Brand New {Grand Rapids Newborn Photographer}

I love me some fresh newborn skin!! Earlier this week I got to meet up with this handsome man. Just under 2 weeks old he was as perfect as could be.

To the Dad and Mom, thanks for bringing your sweet little family in to see me and be photographed!!

Drumroll Please.... {Grand Rapids Photographer}

Here are the entrants of the Flip Video giveaway...

1. Amy

2. Lindsay

3. Doug

4. Liz

5. Shawn

6. Owen

7. Marcia

8. Amanda

9. Kendra

10. Nichole

11. Sarah M.

12. Erin

13. Sarah J.

14. Jessica

15. Ashley

16. Lisa

17. Trisha

18. Julie

19. Nichole

20. Rachel

21. Jen

22. Natalie

23. Brenda

24. Joy

25. Dave

26. Julie

27. Jenny

28. Elise

And the winner of the Flip is....

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.

.

.

.

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LISA H.

Woop!!! Congratulations Lisa!! Email me at kerrys@imagesofessence.com with your address and I'll mail it right out to you! A big thank you to everyone that participated!!

Giveaway {Grand Rapids Photographer}

I have to say that I'm a little behind on the times and I've FINALLY created a Facebook fan page for Images of Essence Photography. I'm definitely still going to be blogging but occasionally I'll be running specials and giveaways for just my Facebook fans. So... to kick things off I'm having a giveaway just for my Facebook fans. The prize - a Flip Ultra 120 minute video camera. I have one of these and they are so amazingly fantastic, you must have one too.

Here are the rules:

* You must be a Facebook fan to enter. Click on this LINK to become a fan.

*Then either Twitter or Facebook the saying -

@images of essence photography is giving away a FLIP VIDEO! Enter to win by visiting http://www.imagesofessencephotography.blogspot.com

* As soon as you've completed the saying, come back to my blog and leave a comment with a link to your tweet or your Facebook share with your post and also include your name. The comment left on the blog will be your entry but you must tweet or Facebook the saying to be considered eligible.

* The giveaway will end Saturday, March 13 and a winner will be posted at 12:00pm (EST). The winner will be chosen using random.org from the blog comments.

Good luck!!

Alert! {Grand Rapids Photographer}

Be on the alert in the next few days!! Another contest coming with a super fantastic, must have, you'd be crazy not to want this, prize!!

Back in Business {Grand Rapids Children's Photographer}

Our house has been sick free this whole Winter.... until last week. I was so sick I could hardly lift a finger. Thankfully though I'm back in business and feeling great and I had a blast shooting this little cutie who just turned two. I just love my clients, especially my repeat clients. Thank you to this family that has seen me a couple of times over the past year. It's been great getting to know all of them and watch them grow!