Midland, Michigan Senior Portrait Photographer | Eve Tuft Photography

Tag: Seasons

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
Midland in Bloom

When everything around you is in bloom, you can’t but feel the anticipation of something beautiful about to happen. That’s what spring does every year for me. It’s like all winter long we’ve been waiting. And waiting. And WAITING. And then FINALLY it’s spring, and it’s like the whole earth feels the need to celebrate its long-time coming. I also LOVE the longer days that come with the beginning of spring and that golden hour is now even later. It’s like the whole world is just starting to wake up from a deep sleep.

Once the flowers around town start to bloom, I feel like my photography does as well. As though the fire to shoot has been silenced from the cold. I ache to get outside again, feel the warmth of the sun, and get my photography on. And so I do. 😀

On this afternoon at Dow Gardens, the husband, kids and I had ourselves a great time. We had to leave to get the kids in bed earlier than I wanted to, so I just BARELY missed golden hour, but I had so much fun shooting outside in beautiful light that it really didn’t matter. I loved shooting the blossoms on trees, getting daffodils in beautiful, warm light, and capturing the first blooms of tulips. They really are my favorite flower.

May 18, 2018
Springtime: A Long Time Comin’

Ahh, springtime is here again. Is it just me, or does it seem like it took a REALLY, REALLY long time to get here??? I used to live in Iowa for five years, and I thought the winter there was long. Imagine my surprise when I moved to Michigan and found out that we have an extra month of winter here! Oh, boy. It can be rough.

This week was one of the first times all year I was able to get to Dow Gardens. I did go once when there were butterflies, but there weren’t any flowers in bloom at that time. What I really wanted to capture this day was the flowers, particularly the tulips. I LOVE tulips. Adore them! I think it’s because they remind me of when I was younger. At the home where I grew up were planted some tulips in the front yard. And every spring they would pop up, as though to signal the beginning of springtime. It really is a glorious season of the year.

For those of you who are wondering, the first two images on this post were taken with a Lensbaby. Lensbaby is a company that makes some wicked-cool lenses that have different effects on your pictures. The lens I used for these is called an Edge 50. You can tilt the lens to have the slice of focus wherever you want it. I don’t use this lens super often, but whenever I do I love the effect I get.

Well, Midland, I think it’s safe to say that we’re officially and FINALLY out of winter. Welcome, spring. We’re all so glad you’re here.

May 5, 2018
Summer’s End | Midland Michigan Photographer

You can feel it in the air. Not by the temperature. It’s just a feeling. But summer is coming to an end. Maybe it’s because my oldest is preparing to go back to school (this time as a 1st grader), but I feel more nostalgia for this summer’s end than summers past.

We’ve had such a lovely summer vacation as a family, and I can honestly say that we’ve milked everything out of it that we could. We went to the splash parks, had lazy days in the back yard sand pit, and stayed up later than normal enjoying the beautiful light at the end of each day. We ate lots of ice cream, went on vacation, and read so many books. And we shared our time together as a family. Oh, and have I mentioned yet how often we’ve visited Dow Gardens? Countless times.

When my kids grow up, I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to say that I wish I had spent more time with them. Because I give my time to them. They are what take up most of my time. And in the end, that’s what will matter the most. Thank you, summer 2017. You’ve been good to us.

August 20, 2017