Just a couple of country kids.

A love that's country song worthy.

Couple celebrates their love
with a natural, back road photo shoot.

   That goofy in love stage. Not many keep that feeling alive, but Brad and Melissa act like they’re still 2 young kids on one of their first dates, and it’s adorable to photograph.
   They wanted to keep it simple, and true to who they are. They told me of the stories of when they first met and how they didn’t have a lot of money so they spent a lot of time on the back roads.
  They would buy a case of beer, fill up the cooler, head out, fish, cruise, and just enjoy each other.    It was so low key and sweet to recreate that. And of course the beers were real, because, I mean, we’re going 100% authentic here!
   Watching Melissa stick her tongue out at Brad and Brad scoopher up in his arms and spin her in the middle of the dusty road as the sun set off in the distance, it was super easy to capture that emotion of love because it was so obviously still alive in them!
   And then to celebrate we cracked a cold one open in the middle of the studio driveway afterwards. Perfect way to end the night.
   Cheers!

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Check out our full lovers gallery!

If you like this country feel check out this Zack and Jens winter engagement session!

For more outdoor lovers check out Chris & Becca's photoshoot!

May I offer this act of sacrifice to you

White Rock in Lake Huron, Michigan

An artistic adventure out to the sacred
Indian Rock- White Rock.

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A sacred rock in Lake Huron marking the divide in territory between the white men and Indians back in the 1800s still sits in the water today, poking only it's head above water, known as White Rock.To show their appreciation of nature to the Great Spirit, Gitchi Manitou, Indians would take their game and food sacrificed and place it on the rock. People still make offerings on this rock today. In years to pass the Indians warned the white men to not trespass on the sacred rock, but they didn't all obey the call. The tale tells of White men arriving in a canoe and only 1 man who remained in the water surviving, while the others who went on the rock to dance were struck by lightening.

40 minutes later and we arrive by truck to the entry point of White Rock. What should be stairs leading down to the water is now an outlook spot with orange fencing and a sign that reads STAIRS CLOSED, do not enter. You can tell that the stairs that reach 30 ft above the shoreline are pulling away from their main structure and have a slight lean to them. We decide the risk is worth it and we hop the fence with our paddle boards. 4 flights down and we reach the empty beach, with White Rock off in the distance. It may be small but it's presence is mighty.

We turn around to realize our rebellion has encourage others to follow our lead and we're no longer alone. That all changes when we push off shore and into the Lake. We are again detached from what feels like the rest of the world. 

We paddle out 20 ft, 50 ft, 100ft from shore. Every push through the water gets us closer and closer to that feeling of freedom, with that feeling of familiarity still not too far behind us, as bottom is close and the crystal clear water allows us to enjoy what's underfoot. I watch as the birds perched on top of the rock scatter in unison. 1/2 mile out and White Rock is now directly in front of us and we have a choice to make- to trespass or not. We've already dismissed what the White Man tried to tell us and trespassed to get to the Lake, but in this moment I trust the Indians more than the White Man... I trust their tales, and I don't see them intimidating me with false fear. They know to respect the Land, and while I am here I will listen to them. 

With that being said I had this urge to show my thanks to the land too and in an essence "sacrifice myself" near the rock to nature and all that it has given me in this life. I entered the water, stood near the rock, and raised my arms to Mother Nature. I give myself to you. Thank You for your gifts. 

The wind blew and we fought to paddle back, but we made it, back up the leaning stairs, back over the orange fence, and back into the White Man's territory- where they tell you to stay off a leaning staircase for your own safety, but they will trespass on a sacred rock. Oh, we have so much to learn. I'll take my chances on the stairs, boys.      

And thennnnn you just have to release your inner fashionista while floating on top of the waves of then lake.

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Check out more of my Self Portraits!

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Elise- Port Huron Highschool Senior Session

Senior Session showcasing Dance, Singing,
and Color Guard Talents

Ethereal and Retro Style Senior Shoot
in downtown Port Huron

   I like to think we all have a secret “us” hiding inside,
waiting for the world to either accept us,
or waiting for us to accept it’s time for the world to meet us!
Meet Elise, this is her AJBC story.

   The first time I met Elise she was a cute Senior about to graduate, what some may call shy, but ever so sweet.
   We planned her shoot around her many talents- dance, color guard, photography, and singing. Not many people could have a shoot that encompassed so many beautiful and expressive talents, but Elise is honestly probably hiding more.
   The day came and we started out with more outfits than you can imagine! They FILLED the studio. Dance costumes from recitals, gowns, fashionable pieces, jewelry passed down from family, yards and yards of fabric and fun props. You could tell we weren’t just about to photograph a Senior, she was about to put on a live show for us, and that she did.
   Our first look was pointe, and to be honest, we photographed this look on a back dirt road, partially in a ditch.  We let the dust settle and then… Elise began to flow. Her body was calm yet precise and it was beautiful to watch.
   Next we headed downtown where she took what many would look at as a basic flag and turned it into visual art. But this is where we saw this inner fierceness come alive! Pure magic!
   After that we played it a bit more low key, cute city girl look in a coffee shop. We did some fun hair whips, got some drinks, and captured her sweet side, for sure.
   Lastly we headed back to the studio where Elise boldly rocked this red sequined gown, while looking ever so timeless. I’ve never seen someone morph so effortlessly, so flawlessy.

   Elise, all these characters you rock, that fire you hold deep in you, let them rage, lady!

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Check Out Our Full Senior Gallery!

For more color guard check out Janelle's sunrise senior shoot!

For more whimsical dancing in the woods check out Kayla's Session!

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Here's a beautiful behind the scenes look into Elise's Senior Shoot with Port Huron, MI Senior Photographer- AJBC Photography

A Modern Engagement Session in Port Huron, MI

Celebrating the future Mr. and Mrs.
with a photoshoot

A young couple, their pup, and 1 hidden trail

   Bridget and I had been planning the visual journey we would take for her wedding for quite a few months before I ever got to meet Russell. Little did I know they also had a secret child they didn't tell me about that I would be meeting the day of their engagement shoot - Zelda! 
   Geometric shapes was the theme for their wedding, but they also love the outdoors, so I took them to the Blue Water River Walk in Downtown Port Huron. It was the perfect mix of both. The tunnel which created some stunning angles and shapes with the highlights and shadows, and then the nature areas that are fairly new to the area.
   We basically just went on a casual walk, stopping and grabbing fun shots when we saw something that caught our eye. When I say the process is natural and fun, I mean it, so stop being so nervous, guys!
   I LOVE couples that I don't have to direct, that I don't have to explain what it looks like to like each other. Sure... I can help you a little but I can't MAKE you be ridiculously adorable with each other if you just aren't, and Russell and Bridget were pretty stinkin' cute with each other so that worked out nicely! And Zelda, oh my goodness, what a good girl!
   Since we were photographing their wedding (one of the last two for this year, and I'm currently not booking more- heads up!) Bridget was unsure about getting engagement photos as well, but I told her, you're going to be happy that you have beautiful portraits of the two of you together, natural, the way you are every day, not in fancy wedding attire. I am SO glad they did this! Their Wedding portraits are gorgeous too (hopefully you guys will see those soon!) but these show off their personality and tell their story on an every day level, which I love.
   So now, let's go on a visual journey of what they looked like right before they said I Do!

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Check out our Full Love Gallery!

For another adorable couple in Downtown Port Huron, check out Corey & Erica's Engagement Session!

If you like this fun outdoor feel, check out Chris & Becca's Engagement Photoshoot!