Last week, when it was warm and still felt like July should feel, we had the privilege of spending an evening with Helen, Mother, and Grandmother. All the way from Tennessee, they've been spending their summers in Onekama since before Helen was born. So as life carries on and little girls grow in leaps and bounds, before you know it they are all grown, gorgeous and almost ready to graduate. Helen wanted to capture a big piece of her childhood in her senior pictures so she chose to have her session on beautiful Portage Lake. And where better to start than right in front of this special cottage that has housed so many wonderful memories over the years?
It was fun to hear the three of them chat and reminisce about their summers here. Approaching the cottage brings you down a quiet little tree lined street that opens up into the crystal blue waters of Portage Lake. Helen said it was the best sight after a long car trip and it was a true signal of summers arrival.
After a quick change....(thanks mom, mom's are so great at holding stuff for us!) we headed out to the pier on the south side of Portage Lake. The walk out proved to be a little narrow and treacherous but we helped each other out and one and all made it out and back safely.
Oh, just a note to all men in the world, when 4 girls are trying to walk down a narrow concrete pier with rocks on one side and water on the other, step back. Don't make them walk under or over your fishing pole. It's a small gesture I know, but us girls notice men who don't risk our lives and we appreciate it. Thank you.
The very cautious walk out was so worth it for beautiful shots like these!
Thank you little sailboat for posing so pretty behind Helen!
There is, or I guess I should say was, this iconic little restaurant in Onekama called The Blue Slipper. If you weren't in the know you would've driven right by and headed into Manistee for dinner. But those of us in the know, we didn't drive right by. Sadly it's closed, but the building and sign remain and it's definitely a great shoot location.
Seriously Helen, stop. You are so gorgeous.
As the sun slipped further and faster it became and all out race to the point to catch the light. Michigan might give you hassle in February, it can even really try your patience in the spring, but summer....Michigan has got summer nailed down. Summer is Michigan's strong suit, it's her ace in the hole. So naturally sunsets on Lake Michigan make the perfect setting for senior portraits.
We stayed til closing. We shut the joint down. We sucked up every drop of glowing light the sunset offered. Then we stood in the parking lot and joked and planned how one day down the road we would be taking Helen's engagement shots, wedding pictures, and then her baby bump and then her newborn pictures...Haha! No pressure, Helen, just graduate.;-) We did truly have a blast with you, Mom, and Grandma. You were such a pleasure to work with, you are so unbelievably photogenic it made our job easy. Give Oliver hugs and kisses for us, it wasn't until we were driving away that we realized we didn't get a shot with the little guy! Enjoy your senior year and congratulations in advance!
P.S..... A, E, I, O, U!
