Welcome to the norpine photography blog

If you’re hesitating to book family photos because your partner hates having their photo taken, you’re not alone. What if my partner hates having their photo taken is one of the most common concerns families share with me — often whispered, sometimes joked about, but always very real. And honestly? It doesn’t scare me at […]

How Far in Advance to Book a Family Photographer in Northern Michigan. If you’re starting to think about family photos, one of the first questions that usually comes up is timing. How far in advance do we actually need to book? The short answer: at least three weeks before the date you want — and […]

Are Professional Family Photos Worth It? Here’s my take. This is a question I hear more often than people admit — usually quietly, sometimes with a little guilt attached. Are professional family photos actually worth it? They take time. They cost money. They require planning, outfits, and getting everyone out the door. And when life […]

What to Wear for Family Photos (Without Stressing About It)- From a northern Michigan photographer If choosing outfits for family photos feels harder than it should, you’re not alone. For so many parents — especially moms — this part feels like pressure. You want everyone to look good. You don’t want the photos to feel […]

How Long a Photo Session Really Needs to Be One of the biggest misconceptions about professional photos is that they need to take a long time to be meaningful. They don’t. But they also don’t need to be rushed. The right session length depends on your family, your kids, and the kind of experience you […]

When Is the Best Time of Year for Photos in Northern Michigan? This is one of the most common questions I get — and the answer isn’t as simple as picking a month. Northern Michigan has strong seasons. Each one comes with its own personality, its own light, and its own tradeoffs. Some seasons feel […]

Beach vs. Forest Sessions in Northern Michigan: Which One Fits Your Family? One of the first questions families ask me when we start planning a session is deceptively simple: Beach or forest? Northern Michigan gives us both in abundance. Wide-open shorelines. Quiet woods. Two completely different moods — both beautiful, both meaningful — and neither […]

Let’s talk about this gorgeous surprise engagement shoot in snowy Northern Michigan. This sweet family contacted me months in advance to have a photographer present for a surprise proposal. It happened to be our biggest snowstorm of the winter and the sweet bride and groom came riding in on a 4-wheeler after choosing the perfect […]

Love is in the air on Dead Man’s Hill this winter. Kylie and Jacob braved the cold to capture the gorgeous sunset and celebrate their engagement. This location is special to the couple. This area is one of the best scenic overlooks in mid-Northern Michigan, although summer and fall are the most beautiful times to […]

Brooke and Eric celebrated the beautiful fall colors in Northern Michigan with their two dogs, Onyx and Nova in Harbor Springs, Michigan in the area of the coveted Tunnel of Trees. The couple will be getting married in Fall of 2022, at the gorgeous Castle Farms in Charlevoix. Eric and Brooke consider their dogs their […]