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

Barns, Gardens and Hills, Oh My!

August 24, 2018

One of the things I love most about doing senior sessions at Dow Gardens is all the variety they have there for photo sessions. There are barns, grassy hills, and beautiful gardens, all of which make for some stunning portraits. I’m surprised I had never used the green barn doors in my pictures before! One of the barns is located near the conservatory where they hold their annual Butterfly Garden exhibit. They often do crafts here for little kids as well. The doors also face towards the setting sun, but they are covered as the sun sinks lower in the sky, making for some beautiful light for my subject.

Emily came to her session with her best friend, Abby, in tow. These girls are the best! I know them from church, and they come from wonderful families. It’s so fun for me when my clients bring friends along to their senior portrait session. I always love seeing which outfits my clients choose. Emily went with two dresses, and they both turned out phenomenal for her pictures. I gave us extra time since I had two subjects instead of one, and together we traipsed all around Dow Gardens. We looked for patches of beautiful light, found new spots I hadn’t used before, and had an altogether great time.

We had such a fun time that by the end of the session we were all in fits and giggles. In fact, Emily was in tears from laughing so hard! Ha! Thanks for a great time, my dear! You’re beautiful, and I completely enjoyed our time.

Senior girl standing in a garden | Michigan Portraits Senior girl standing and laughing in a garden | Michigan Portraits Senior girl standing by one of the barns at Dow Gardens | Midland Photographer Senior girl playing with her hair | Saginaw Photographer

A Gorgeous Evening for a Senior Session

August 17, 2018

It was the most gorgeous summer evening a couple of weeks ago when I took Abby’s pictures. When it comes to summer, Michigan does it right. Sometimes I think it’s because our winters here are just so. dang. long. But once summer rolls in I begin to believe it’s more than that. The greenery, the lakes, the temperature and yes, even the humidity all contribute to Michigan summers being the best. By the way, my husband always says he likes the humidity. He says it’s like getting a nice, warm hug every time you walk outside. Ha!

On this evening I met up with Abby and her best friend, Emily, at Dow Gardens. These two besties and I had such a fun time together! We traipsed all around Dow Gardens looking for new locations I had never used before, and we got some gorgeous images to show for it. One of my favorite new places there is next to the barn near the conservatory where they hold the butterfly exhibit in the spring. The barn’s doors are green (!), and the light there is exquisite, especially as the sun is getting lower in the sky.

Near the end of the session I also took a few with these girls together. You know, I’ve never done a bestie session before, but after getting these two together I think it’s a wonderful idea. Maybe I could even add a discount or something if you book together…? Not such a bad idea, right? 🙂

You’re lovely, Abby, and I love how determined, driven and kind you are. Thanks so much for a great session!

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Red-Head Session at Chippewa

August 9, 2018

This red-head is a complete beauty. When I say that she made my job easy, I’m not even kidding. Meet Grace. I REALLY wanted a red-head for my portfolio, and when she contacted me I was SO excited for the opportunity to take her pictures.

When I asked her where she wanted her senior pictures taken, she responded that she wanted them done at Chippewa. The Chippewa Nature Center is really one of the best locations! There are old, wooden buildings, barns, fields, trails, small bodies of water, and flowers. What’s NOT to love??

Unfortunately, it looked all week like we were going to be rained out. I couldn’t take her pictures later in the month because I was going to be on vacation to Missouri, so I was really hoping the weather would cooperate. And what do you know? It did. We even got some sunshine for all of 45 seconds (which resulted in one of my favorite pictures ever. EVER.).

Grace showed up with her two sisters and her best friend. Bringing parents is amazing, but bringing siblings and friends is just as good. They were troopers holding my reflector for me, capturing me on video doing my thing, and getting the best giggles out of Grace.

Grace, I sure hope you love your pictures as much as I do. Your session ended up being one of my favorites ever. You’re gorgeous!

Beauty from Brazil

July 26, 2018

Meet Anna. She and her family are from Brazil. I have a special place in my heart for the country of Brazil, not because I’ve ever been there, but because my husband served a mission for our church there for two years before we were married. He talks of his time there often, and his love for the country and the people is real. One day he hopes to go back. One day I hope he takes me with him. 😉

For his birthdays in the past (to bring some of Brazil up to the States) I’ve made Pao de Qeijo and have taken him out to Brazilian Steakhouses. I’ve also learned a word or two in Portuguese. 😉 I felt a little sorry that my husband wasn’t there on the photo shoot with me because I bet he would have loved speaking in Portuguese once again (although he claims he’s a bit rusty).

Anna brought along her parents and her younger brother to the shoot. Her dad and brother trotted off somewhere in Dow Gardens, while her mother was an excellent helper for my reflector. In fact, this was the first time I’ve ever used a reflector, and I have to say, I’m already in love with it. I was able to shoot in places that I normally would have avoided since I was able to bounce that beautiful evening light back in Anna’s face. Those pictures have become my favorite of the whole shoot.

I’m always grateful when the sun chooses to shine on the day of my photo sessions. Don’t get me wrong! I also love what an overcast and cloudy day can do for someone’s skin. But there’s something about that gorgeous back light that I adore. It gives the pictures a little extra something.

Anna, you were a dream to shoot and pose! These pictures of you turned out stunning.

33 Years Blessed

July 11, 2018

Yesterday we celebrated my husband’s birthday. Actually, the day before yesterday we celebrated it too! My husband is one spoiled guy. 😉 Two days ago I got a babysitter for the older three and took my husband and youngest child out to eat. We went to a restaurant we had never been to before. It was located right on the river inside of a hotel, and we seriously had the best time. I got a burger and some fries, and my husband got salmon. Little Boo ate half my fries and the bread. Not super balanced for a meal, but he was happy and quiet, so that’s what mattered. You guys, we had the best time. We don’t get out much as a couple, but when we do we cherish the time we spend together.

Yesterday for my husband’s actual birthday the kids and I blew up a million balloons and hung them up on the ceiling. Of course, since my kids are still so little, I had to blow every single one up by myself. On about the 357,899th balloon I started feeling lightheaded, and once I got up to about half a mil I almost passed out. I thought about giving up then, but you can’t celebrate a birthday without balloons.

After he got home and we had dinner, we headed out to the splash park. “What? Your husband wanted to spend his birthday at a splash park??” Yes, he did. He’s a family man through and through, and I adore him for it. Once we got home he got to open his presents, blow out his candles, and eat his favorite dessert ever. EVER. You want the recipe, don’t you? I won’t disappoint. It’s a strawberry jell-o dessert, and it is absolutely delicious.

This husband of mine is my most favorite person ever. He is gentle, kind, brilliant, thoughtful, and so good. Happy birthday, Love. Here’s to many, many more. <3