Eve Tuft is a Photographer specializing in Senior Photography in Michigan in the cities of Midland, Bay City and Saginaw

That One Week of Fall

December 17, 2019

Do you remember that one week of fall we had a couple months ago? Because it seems as though that’s how long fall lasted. It was glorious and colorful and beautiful, and then it snowed. Curse you, Michigan! I actually don’t mind the snow. I only wish fall could have played out its days a bit longer. In the five years we’ve been living in Michigan, this year had the shortest autumn by far. In fact, I remember the second year we were here, November was still warm enough to be outside without coats and taking pictures! This year, Mother Nature decided to play a prank on us and give us snow on Halloween and then even more snowfalls before November was even over.

Thankfully, I was still able to get out with my family on that one week of fall we had. We took a couple different walks around the Chippewa Nature Center. This was possibly the first time we went on this long walk without bringing along a stroller. The kids were champs, and not one child complained of tired legs! I’ll call that a win! Here are a few pictures from one of our adventures.

Girl peers through a leaf outside in the woods | Michigan's premier senior photographer A boy gazes out over a wooded forest on that one week of fall in Midland, Michigan | Senior Photographer A father holds his daughter close outside in the forest on that one day in fall | Michigan's senior photographer A small boy holds a stick up in the forest in the fall | Senior Photographer in Midland, Michigan

No one does fall like Michigan, that’s for sure.

Just before Halloween, I took the kids out on a leaf-collecting walk. We LOVE going on these walks! The kids get a bag, I get my camera, and we talk a walk around the neighborhood. We love to go on a scavenger hunt the most unique and vibrant leaves. When we come home, the kids get to make a little fall craft with their gathered leaves. I love simple traditions like these.

Although autumn was short-lived this year and it seemed as though we had one week of fall, what a magnificent week it was. Now, if we could only get a white Christmas. 😉

Family Pictures 2019

December 4, 2019

Family pictures are a must-have for me every year. While it would be nice to have someone else take them for us, I know a pretty good photographer who will take them for free. Yeah. It’s me. 😉 I’m OK with doing the dirty work because I have the skills and I don’t have to schedule with anyone else. The downside is that I have to take the pictures…myself.

If there’s one thing I cannot stand, it’s my tripod. There. I said it. I despise using the tripod because it hinders my ability to take a shot when I want to. It’s cumbersome, clunky, and takes too much time to set up. You will NEVER see me use one with my senior clients. However, I can’t take family pictures and expect to be in the picture without one. It’s one of those necessary evils. Enter Mr. Husband.

Mr. Husband does not feel the same about about the tripod, ergo he is the one that sets it up for me. After the camera is on the tripod, he stands where I tell him to so I can get focus. Getting focus is another tricky thing to deal with when taking your own pictures. If we move one step closer or farther away from the camera, we’re out of focus. So we have to lock focus and not move. This can be a difficult thing with four little kids. 😉

If you’re reading this in hopes to get tips on how to take your own family pictures, here’s my one piece of advice: DO NOT have the kids get in the shot until everything else is ready to go. Get your exposure, your timer ready, nail your focus, and have everything else good to go before they get in. You’ll thank me later, I promise.

Speaking of kids, they were quite good this year. We were done in less than a half hour, and they cooperated nicely. As a side note, these are all taken at the Chippewa Nature Center. I love this place most of all for pictures.

Family Pictures

We look great, but this picture is really made up of FIVE different pictures. I had to do a head swap in Photoshop for everyone except my husband and the youngest. Not too bad, amiright?

If you look closely at my husband’s left hand, you’ll see the camera remote. 😀

I love those little fussbudgets!

This one only required two head swaps.

These are my favorite family pictures yet! And I’m so glad we made the effort to take them before it snowed.

After we were done, the kids’ patience paid off…

I’m pretty sure we still have some hay in the van. Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Golden Hour at the Chippewa Nature Center

November 20, 2019

Golden hour. It really is the best time of day for a senior photo shoot. As I posted a couple weeks ago, we had to reschedule this senior session three different times. When we finally did get together, Mother Nature was so good to us. It was worth the wait, and the sunlight at the end of Grace’s session was amazing. Amazing!

Grace had chosen the Chippewa Nature Center for her session and wanted to stay there the whole time. It was a relaxing shoot as we did not have to make it to another location before the sun set. We took our time, looked for different new spots, and overall had a fantastic evening. I left off at the midway point for the first part of her session. We found the perfect light by this fence, and Grace wore her absolute favorite sweater ever. Yes, girl! Bring it! We also got a few shots on these stairs.

The light was just starting to be perfect and was nearing golden hour. Grace really wanted to take some pictures in the tall grass and with flowers, so we made our way over there. Just as we were leaving the stairs, I turned to look at her, and she was standing in the most beautiful light. MAGIC, PEOPLE. Just look at her.

We also happened upon these beautiful fields of wildflowers. Which do you like better, the white flowers or the purple ones? I love them both so much. You guys, The Chippewa Nature Center never fails to disappoint.

These last few were taken just as the sun was setting. That light!

I’m not going to lie, this is one of my favorites ever.

After the sun set, we took a few more with her. This was seriously an amazing senior session with an amazing senior and her wonderful mother. Even though we had to reschedule a number of times, it was worth it for these.

Reviews

Here’s what Grace had to say about her photo shoot: “I had such a wonderful experience! She is so professional, always on time and provided water. She understands her clients and captures the sunlight in such a beautiful way!”

And here’s what her wonderful mother said: “We had so much fun during my daughter’s session with Eve Tuft. Eve took the most amazing pictures, always making sure my daughter was relaxed and comfortable. I highly recommend Eve Tuft—her pictures are stunning!”

Thank you two for a delightful experience! Best of luck during your senior year, Grace!

We Had to Reschedule This Session Three Times

November 6, 2019

We had to reschedule this session three times. Yes, three times! And all the times we canceled was because of the rain. Don’t get me wrong, I really, really love rain. But I also really, really wanted to take this girl’s pictures for her senior session. I first met Grace and her mom at our pre-consultation way back in July. I knew instantly that we were a good match for Grace’s senior pictures. We talked about what Grace had been involved in over the summer, where she wanted her pictures taken, and what her plans were for after she graduates. We also discussed clothing choices, and they both got to see a few different prints and products I offer.

Reschedule #1

We had her session scheduled for sometime in August, and as the day approached, it looked like it was going to rain. The rain started in the evening, and it kept going. We hoped it would stop in time for her senior pictures, and we even met up at Chippewa Nature Center for them, but it just kept raining. So, we had to reschedule for another day.

#2

The next date wasn’t until September, and guess what? Yep, you guessed it. It looked like rain again. UGH! I thought for sure we wouldn’t get rained out twice and have to reschedule again, but as the evening got closer I just didn’t think it was going to work out. Sure enough, it poured for hours that evening.

#3

We rescheduled once more, this time at the very end up of September. Grace had a hair stylist she preferred and really wanted to use, and she wasn’t able to get an appointment with her until at the end of the month. We all crossed our fingers that Mother Nature would cooperate with us. And what do ya know? It was supposed to rain AGAIN on that Saturday! We hurriedly got everything switched to be able to take her senior pictures a couple days earlier, and the day couldn’t have been more lovely. Take a look.

You’re going to see me say this again, but I think she looks like an angel. Isn’t she stunning? This one shows off her eyes so well.

I’d say that hairdresser did a great job!

And here are a couple faves of mine from the whole session. This spot always gets the best light for these sessions.

I had so many favorites from this wonderful session at the Chippewa Nature Center! I think this place might be my favorite place for senior sessions. In a couple weeks, I’ll show you what the last half looked like. And trust me, you’re not going to want to miss it. The light! The fields! This amazing young woman! Stay tuned. 😉

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A Location in Midland Perfect for this Senior’s Session

October 24, 2019

I went to a new location in Midland I’ve never been to before for this senior! Last week, I blogged about the beginning of Scott’s session. He chose Dow Gardens, and we all had a great time. After we were done there, we also went downtown. No, that is not the new location in Midland I’m talking about. Obviously I’ve been there many time for senior sessions.

While we were walking around in downtown Midland, we had the best time! We stopped by at the Courthouse. I love this location in Midland! The arches, the stone, the steps, all of it is so photographic!

Another place we went to was this fabulous wall. This isn’t the first time I’ve taken pictures here, and it certainly won’t be the last. This wall is a fantastic place for an urban session. I love how Scott’s mother wanted to be in some pictures with him. Isn’t that awesome??

After we hung out in the downtown area, we headed over to the Tridge.

Once we were done there and sun had gone down, we headed to a location in Midland I had never been to before: The Founder’s Garden! At least, I think that’s what it’s called. Haha.

Scott is brilliant, so having him come here with a few elements in the background was fitting for him. And here’s a favorite of mine from his session.

Review:

Here’s what Scott’s mom had to say about their experience:

“We had a great experience! Not going in with a lot of our own ideas, we loved that Eve gave us all the direction and suggestions we needed to have a very successful session. It was enjoyable the whole way through and we have fantastic photos to prove it!” Jesica G.

Thanks, Scott and Jesica for an awesome session!

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