October 6, 2025
Something magical is happening in our home this March—we’re welcoming baby number two! As I prepare to expand our family, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to be both a working stay-at-home mom and a business owner in the world of luxury wedding photography. With a bustling business, a supportive husband, two wonderful VA’s, a business coach, and a network of babysitters (wedding season, anyone?), I’m learning that community and connection are at the heart of everything I do. Today, I want to share a peek behind the lens into the real, sometimes messy, but always beautiful life that keeps my creative fire burning and allows me to serve my couples with all my heart.



Let’s be honest—navigating the roles of mom, entrepreneur, and artist isn’t always a graceful dance. Some days it’s a full-on, toddler-choreographed ballet with plenty of pirouettes and the occasional tumble. With our second little one on the way, I’m reminded that balance isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. My mornings often start with cuddles and tea, followed by a trip to the park, and then editing galleries, answering emails, and prepping for the next wedding during nap time. It’s a rhythm that shifts and sways, but it’s grounded in a deep love for my family and my craft. I’ve learned to embrace the unpredictable, knowing that each day brings its own set of joys and challenges.
Behind every “effortlessly” captured wedding moment is a village holding me up. My husband is my rock, stepping in for bedtime stories or wrangling our toddler during golden hour shoots. My two virtual assistants are the unsung heroes who help manage logistics, backend business tasks, socials, and keep my business humming along. Add in a business coach who cheers me on and a long list of babysitters (because wedding Saturdays are sacred), and you have a support system as intricate as a cathedral veil. This network doesn’t just help me survive—it allows me to thrive, showing up fully for my clients and my family.
Let’s pull back the curtain: working from home with littles sometimes means conference calls with background giggles, editing photos during nap time, and sometimes answering emails with one hand while holding a baby in the other. It’s not always picture-perfect, but it’s real life, and it’s beautiful in its own way. I’ve learned to set boundaries, ask for help, and let go of the myth that I can do it all alone. Each wedding I photograph, each client I serve, is made possible by the collective effort of my family and team. That’s the kind of community I want to foster—with my clients, my colleagues, and my own children.
There’s a special magic that happens when people come together—whether it’s a couple surrounded by loved ones on their wedding day or a mompreneur supported by her village. My community fuels my creativity, giving me the freedom to pour my heart into every photo I take. I see my role as more than just a photographer; I’m a storyteller, a memory keeper, and sometimes even a calming presence on a whirlwind day. By leaning on my support system, I can bring my best self to each wedding, ensuring that every couple receives the attention and artistry they deserve.
Being a working stay-at-home mom has deepened my empathy and connection with my clients. I know firsthand the importance of preserving fleeting moments—the way a parent looks at their child, the laughter shared between siblings, the quiet in-between glances. These are the memories I strive to capture for every couple, knowing that family is at the core of everything we celebrate. My business isn’t just about beautiful images; it’s about honoring your story, your love, and the community that surrounds you.
If you’re a fellow working mom or creative entrepreneur, here’s my heartfelt advice:
– **Build your village.** Don’t be afraid to ask for help—whether it’s hiring a VA, trading babysitting with friends, or seeking a mentor.
– **Set boundaries.** Protect your time and energy so you can be present for both your family and your clients.
– **Give yourself grace.** Some days will be messy, and that’s okay. Progress, not perfection!
– **Celebrate the wins.** Even the small ones—like editing a gallery during nap time or booking a dream client.
– **Stay connected.** Community is everything. Lean into it, nurture it, and give back when you can.
Welcoming baby number two is a new chapter—one filled with anticipation, joy, and yes, a little bit of chaos. But it’s also a reminder that none of us do this alone. Whether I’m capturing a couple’s first dance or snuggling my babies at home, I’m grateful for the community that makes it all possible. My hope is that by sharing my journey, you’ll feel seen, supported, and inspired—whether you’re planning your wedding, building your business, or navigating the wild, wonderful world of motherhood. Here’s to embracing the beautiful chaos, together.
There’s something quietly enchanting about Northern Michigan. The way the light softens over Lake Michigan at dusk, the whisper of birch trees in the breeze, the rolling dunes that look like they were designed for romance. It’s no wonder so many couples are drawn here for their engagement session. As a northern Michigan engagement photographer, I’ve wandered these shorelines and forest paths with countless couples, and I can tell you: when you blend this landscape with intentional planning, your engagement photos become more than pretty pictures—they become a love story you can feel.

There are some places that feel like they were built for love stories. Castle Farms in Charlevoix, Michigan is one of those rare, cinematic settings where every corner feels like a page from a fairytale. Between the ivy-covered stone walls, manicured gardens, and soaring turrets that catch the golden northern light, a Castle Farms wedding is the kind of celebration that lingers in your memory for a lifetime.

There is something undeniably magical about winter in Northern Michigan. Fresh snow dusting the pines, the hush that falls over the lakes, the way the sky glows soft and blue just before sunset—this landscape was made for romance. If you’ve ever dreamed of saying “I do” while snowflakes drift around you and candlelight flickers off crystal glasses, a winter wedding Northern Michigan style might be exactly what your heart is craving.

As a Lake Michigan wedding photographer, I’ve watched the light dance across the water in every season, from soft, hazy June evenings to crisp, glowing September nights. With a bit of thoughtful planning, your sunset portraits can be everything you’ve been dreaming of: romantic, timeless, and filled with genuine emotion.

As a Mackinac Island wedding photographer and luxury elopement photographer in Northern Michigan, I’ve seen how this tiny island can hold some of the biggest moments of people’s lives. If you’re dreaming of exchanging vows here—just the two of you or with a handful of your favorite people—this guide will walk you through everything you need to plan a beautiful, stress-free, and elevated elopement on Mackinac Island.

If you’re dreaming of a fall wedding in Northern Michigan, this guide gathers my best recommendations as a photographer: from timing and locations to color palettes, timelines, and northern michigan autumn wedding ideas that photograph beautifully and feel deeply, undeniably you.

Creating artistic and visionary images — captivating hearts and minds globally.
Photography by Lauren Case
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