Midland, Michigan Senior Portrait Photographer | Eve Tuft Photography

Tag: Outdoors

City Forest in the Fall

City Forest in the Fall

City Forest in the fall is simply spectacular. My family and I only just discovered all the trails in City Forest when we were socially distancing last spring. If you haven’t had time to explore all the little biking trails, definitely check them out. While it’s beautiful any time of the year, City Forest in the fall completely knocks it out of the park. And guess what? This is only the third session I’ve ever done at City Forest. Maybe this year I’ll have even more seniors choose this location.

Last time I blogged, I showed you what the first half of Nicole’s session looked like. We went to Dow Gardens, and the leaves were beautiful there as well. She knew she wanted to get the gorgeous fall colors, so I suggested we also go to City Forest. She agreed. And this is what we got…

Outfit 1

First thing I’m going to say is that this sweater of her is perfect for this location and season.

And would you looks at those colors. Oh my. This portrait of Nicole on the left is one of my faves EVER. She’s stunning, and that foliage in the background is perfection.

Nicole’s mom searched high and low for the perfect leaf to use in this shot. When it has a smattering of different colors on it, it’s called ‘variegated’. I didn’t know that until this senior shoot!

City Forest in the fall comes through again. And Nicole’s smile could not be any more dazzling.

Outfit 2

In addition to her blue sweater outfit, Nicole also brought this adorable outfit. After a quick outfit change, we found a few other spots. This session turned out amazingly! Those catchlights in her eyes are brought to you by my reflector and the help of Nicole’s mom.

And I’ll always take a picture with mom if she agrees. Two beautiful women, inside and out.

Here’s what Nicole’s mom had to say about the senior session:

“We were so excited to book Eve for Nicole’s senior pictures! Eve has a natural ability to make everyone feel comfortable. Eve spent time with Nicole beforehand understanding what was important to her. That made a big difference on the day of our session and made everything feel very natural. Eve’s attention to details and light brought out the best in every picture. We are thrilled with Nicole’s senior pictures! They are a beautiful and lasting treasure of this significant time in her life. Thank you, Eve!”

And here’s what Nicole said:

“Eve made my senior picture experience so wonderful! I was very comfortable through the whole session and felt she really was able to capture my personality. The pictures turned out beautiful and I am so glad she was able to take my senior pictures. I wish I could give more stars!”

You two are wonderful, and I had such a good time with you both!

April 22, 2021
MHS Drum Major in Dow Gardens

MHS Drum Major, Nicole James, is a wonderful teenager. I’ve known her family personally for years, and they’re one of the best there is! Which is why I am grateful I got to take her senior pictures. She wanted to have her senior session taken in the fall because she wanted beautiful autumn foliage. And guess what? She chose the perfect week! Last October we met up at Dow Gardens for her session, and the colors were vibrant and stunning. Her smile is just the best.

Even though the day was cloudy, the colors were gorgeous, and we were able to get extra light into her eyes using my reflector. Those large catchlights add so much!

Nicole plays the flute, so we made sure to get pictures with it. As a flute player myself, I have to add here that it’s the best instrument there is! 😉

And of course, as a MHS drum major, we also made sure to get pictures with her whistle and mace.

Those fall colors were on point. Dow Gardens has so much variety, really every season is beautiful here. We were fortunate the weather wasn’t too cool or rainy on her session date.

Nicole also brought her cross country gear for her shoot. I love it when my seniors bring props and uniforms.

Isn’t she so beautiful? Every time I had her mom hold the reflector up to her face for headshots, her mom would say, “It’s like turning a light on!”. That’s also what it’s like when Nicole walks into a room. She’s brings light everywhere she goes.

Next time, I’ll share the second half of her session at City Forest. See you then!

April 6, 2021
Dahlias and Macro Photography

Dahlias have quickly become a favorite flower of mine. I never knew just how much variety there was in this one flower! At the end of last summer, we went to Dahlia Hill here in Midland, and it was our first time visiting this beautiful place. As we explored, we were amazed at how many different kids of dahlias there are! It is wonderful to see them in all their splendor.

Even more wonderful is getting to take pictures of them with my macro lens. I feel like Dahlia Hill is heaven on Earth when I have my macro lens with me. Last time I blogged, I showed a few of the pictures I took. But since I didn’t want to overshare, I decided to split it up into two different posts. Here is part two. 🙂

How can you not just fall in love with these dahlias?? They are exquisite and full and absolutely lovely. I went the second time looking specifically for light pink and purple flowers. I’ll show you why in a second. The next time I go, I’ll have to bring a squirt bottle with me. Squirt bottles can add so much to a macro picture, especially when the sun is out.

Isn’t nature amazing and so well-organized? These dahlias are proof of that.

The reason why I looked specifically for light pink/purple flowers is because we needed some artwork in our bedroom. We finally settled on these two. Check it out below.

These were printed on metal and are the perfect final touches in our bedroom. Metal prints are my absolute FAVORITE way to display pictures.

Next month, I’ll get back to blogging my final two seniors from last fall. I can’t wait to share those session with you! See you then!

March 25, 2021
Old City – New Discovery

Old isn’t exactly what I’d call Midland, but since I’ve lived here for over six years, it no longer feels new to me. Even though I’ve lived here for that long, I never made it out to Dahlia Hill until last September! Why is that?? I had heard of it and passed it, but I just never got around to going and checking out all the flowers. You guys. It’s my new favorite place in Midland for taking pictures of flowers.

I’ll also say that one of the reasons I love taking pictures there is that I also recently bought a new lens. Well, it was old, but new to me. 😉 It’s the 100mm, a macro lens that also doubles as a portrait lens. And it is heaven. Check out these pictures I took of the gorgeous Dahlia Hill flowers with that lens.

This one reminds me of a lion’s mane.

It is fun when I get to take my time and think outside the box a little bit. I love seeing the underside of these beautiful flowers.

I also love taking pictures with a diptych in mind like the one below.

This one makes me think of a flame. Our world sure is a wondrous work of art.

Next time I blog, I’ll show you a few of my other favorites and show you how I had them printed and where they are located in my home. See you then!

March 4, 2021
Books and a Dark Academia Senior Session

Books make an awesome prop. AWESOME. Anna’s first location was amazing for the look she had going on. For her second location, she chose the Grace A. Dow library and brought along dozens of books from home. You guys, it was epic! But before we hauled the books out, we took a few extra pictures of her in her beautiful and stunning green dress. Can you believe these were taken at the library? True story. There’s a patch of grass and some trees right in front of the parking lot. That’s where we took these.

Isn’t she beautiful?

Her eyes simply light up with the color of her dress. I love it so much.

This one got printed on a large canvas. Dreamy.

And these two are a couple of my faves!

Books

Anna wanted a dark academia vibe for her senior pictures, therefore we thought it was best to take them at the library. She and her mom stuffed several suitcases full of books for these next pictures. Yes, give me all the books!!! My favorite classic portrait perhaps EVER is the one on the right.

Anyone else want to plop down beside her and start reading?

I love the mystery and emotion conveyed in this one.

And we couldn’t resist stacking them and having her sit on a pile. The one on the right was her idea, and I love how it came together.

We took a few more in her last outfit. Those boots brought so much character!

Here’s what Anna said about her session with me:

“When working with Eve, you’re sure to have an incredible experience, and even more incredible photos. Her photography is truly stunning, as is the warm, welcoming environment she creates.”

Thank you so much, Anna, for the amazing session we did together. I had a blast and loved getting to know you. Best wishes for your last couple months of high school!

January 21, 2021