Grand Rapids Wedding and Portrait Photographer | Emily Rae Photography

{Cooper Matthew & Molly Katherine} Ada, Mi Twin Newborn Photographer

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:40:00 +0000

Meet Cooper Matthew & Molly Katherine. Cooper and Molly were born 4.19.12. They were perfectly behaved and slept through most of the shoot. What sweet & beautiful babies!

{Alyssa: Newborn Session} Grand Rapids, MI Newborn Photographer

admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:24:15 +0000

Meet Alyssa – 6 days new at the time of her photo session. Alyssa was such a perfect newborn! She even smiled in many of her photos. She is just beautiful. Congrats Will & Alicia!

{Wes & Lauren} Ann Arbor Engagement Photographer

admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:41:54 +0000

I met Wes and Lauren for their Ann Arbor engagement session on the University of Michigan Campus a few weeks ago. We started out at the student union, which happens to be the same location as their wedding reception this coming October. Wes and Lauren met in college through mutual friends. They moved to Grand Rapids for work after college but are planning their October wedding in Ann Arbor on the U of M campus. Wes and Lauren are so much fun to be around and such a great couple. I can’t wait for their wedding this fall!

{Jaxson: 6 Months} Rockford, MI Baby & Children’s Photographer

admin — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:22:22 +0000

You may remember Jaxson’s newborn session about 6 months ago or his mom & dad’s belly session from last summer. We decided to shoot his six month session in the same location as his mommy’s belly session, which was so much fun. Jaxson just melts my heart. What a cutie!

{Davidson: 3 Month Old – Baby Session} Ada, Michigan Baby Photographer

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:11:20 +0000

This little cutie is only 3 months old. Aren’t his blue eyes amazing! I shot his session at Roselle Park in Ada, MI.

{Lee Ann & Bob: Belly Session} Rockford, MI Photographer

admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:07:05 +0000

Bob & Lee Ann contacted me early last week and we were able to squeeze in a shoot with them just before their little one is due. We discovered that they live just around the corner from our new home near Cannonsburg. Lee Ann is beautiful and looks so great!

I’m looking forward to meeting and photographing Lee Ann & Bob’s baby boy in the next couple weeks!

{Dow Family} Grand Rapids, MI Lifestyle Children’s Photographer

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:09:22 +0000

I first met the Dow family last year when I photographed Sam’s 3 year old session and Audry was expecting Max (see that session here). Both Sam and Max were so much fun to photograph and they are both absolutely adorable.

{Planning & Waiting}

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:33:45 +0000

I don’t often post personal stuff on my blog. Not because I don’t want to share … I’ve just never have liked writing about myself very much. In school, I could write pages and pages about any topic – but ask me to write something about myself and my pen would dry up. I just couldn’t come up with anything. Today I started reading a new book – it’s more of a devotional. It’s by Scarlett Lillian and it’s called Prosper: A 40 Day Prayer Journey To Pray God’s Will For Your Photography Business. I’m excited to read this book and will be doing so over the next 40 days. But one of the first challenges of the book, was to share something personal about what God has been teaching me. So here goes!

I love to plan. It’s a gift, but it can just as easily be a curse! I love to plan out what I’m going to do next or how to solve some problem. Over the last several years, God has been teaching me to really seek his guidance for next steps and planning. It’s a daily struggle, but I’m slowly learning to depend on Him more and patiently wait on Him. I’m not a patient person either. Thankfully God is very patient.

When we seek God’s guidance, sometimes God’s answer is to wait. I really hate getting this answer. Yes or No would certainly be easier to deal with. God gives us dreams and there’s nothing wrong with dreaming about the future. But we can easily become so focused on that future plan or dream, that we aren’t at peace in our present circumstances. I waited a long time for my dream of becoming a full-time photographer. I remember the moment when I decided I wanted to do photography for a full-time job. It was in the summer of 2008 and it seemed impossible. I finally took the leap to full self employment in 2011 – over 3 years later. I’m so glad I waited (sometimes very impatiently) on God’s timing. God was teaching me contentment in my current circumstances as well as preparing me in many other ways.

Being self-employed is a daily reminder to me of how God provides for our needs. I’m learning to be at peace in the knowledge that God will provide. It’s scary at times but I’m so glad that I’m able to experience this! God always provides. And His ways are better than what I could ever ask or imagine. Sometimes waiting is really hard. There’s an area of my life where I’m currently waiting. It’s really painful and difficult at times, but I rest in the knowledge that my God has great plans for me. Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite verses and it says ”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Romans 8:28 is also one of my favorites “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

God has great plans for your life. His plans are better than anything you could imagine. So keep dreaming and embrace the promise that God has plans to prosper you, to give you a hope and a future!

{Alicia & Bill: Belly Session} Grand Rapids Maternity Photographer

admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:21:13 +0000

I shot Alicia and Bill’s maternity session a little over a week ago at my studio. Alicia is just gorgeous and it was so much fun doing this session. I can’t wait to meet their little girl and shoot her newborn session!

{Spring Mini-Sessions} Ada & Rockford Photographer

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:43:05 +0000

I’m offering spring mini-sessions at my downtown Grand Rapids studio on May 4 & 5. $275 value for only $150. A 20 minute session, 5 high resolution files on CD and 3 custom mini-books plus 10% off any other order. Email me @ emily@emilyraephotography.com to reserve your session today!!