Kristen and Ben’s Grosse Ile engagement session was months in the making—and well worth the wait. As a photographer, engagement sessions are one of my favorite parts of the process. It’s a chance to document a couple in their element, in a space that feels like home. And for Kristen and Ben, that space was their hometown of Grosse Ile.
Their story is a sweet one—Ben grew up just a few houses down from Kristen’s best friend, yet they didn’t officially meet until high school. It felt meant to be from the start. That shared history made Grosse Ile the perfect setting for their engagement photos. Every location we visited had meaning, from quiet tree-lined streets to favorite local spots, helping us tell their story in a truly personal way.
There’s also something special about engagement sessions for me, too. It gives me time to connect with my couples before the wedding day—to understand who they are, how they love, and what brings them joy. That connection makes the wedding day even smoother and more creative.
Kristen and Ben are high school sweethearts, MSU alumni, and all-around kind souls. Their session was full of laughter, easy conversation, and a little Spartan pride—starting with a few shots proudly showing off their green and white.
And here are some of my favorite photos. Is it because they are adorable? Or that I love cobalt blue? Or is it that we waited out the passing rainstorm and enjoyed a rainbow on the horizon as we shot? Yup. All of those things.
But, my very favorite part of this entire shoot…
….getting to capture the sunset from Kristen’s parent’s dock. The exact spot that Ben proposed. Yes. It was exactly as awesome as you would think.
