Welcome to Veldman Photo's Blog: January 2009

2008 was a great year! I've been meaning to recap this for awhile now, but seems with traveling for the holidays, Todd keeping me occupied while he was off for a couple weeks, Maddox getting really sick, and just having the day slip by me.... I've finally found time... to remember 2008 for being one of the hardest, YET best years for me and Veldman Photo. I think going full time really made it stand out, and I love the flexibility and meaningful life it is bringing me. So here we go on the journey....

JANUARY

We spent the month shooting two very special and intimate weddings.

Chris and Lauren, both SOOO sweet and SOOO in love (I still love this photo even if Todd got in the way! Ha!)

and Dale and Amber, who I love!!! Both compliment each other perfectly!

FEBURARY & MARCH

I spent finishing up working for Lifetime, and getting ready for the busy months ahead. Plus we got a new look. Wooo!

APRIL

It started to get warmer and I was itching to get out and start shooting.

I met with a cute and sassy little girl, Gracie. She was a pure natural in front of the camera.

And Lisa, who is absolutely gorgeous and such a fun person to spend time with.

MAY

Such a busy month and for some reason we had lots of rainy days this month.

It started with Dave and Jen, both are so laid back and so genuine.

Gary and Alana got engaged and I was excited for their June wedding.

I spent time at the park with Logan, Dylan, and Mackenzie, all three had such different personalities... and such different attention spans.... so funny to watch!

I was able to get a senior session in before school was out. Brad rocked it! Loooved taking photos of him! He has such a great attitude.

Our good friends had baby Elijah... sooo ADORABLE!

We hung out with Ian and Ryan. We all clicked so well... it's a shame they don't live in the area. But they were so sweet and sooooo fun!

Then we ended the month with such a beautiful couple, Quinn and Julie. I fell in love with them as I've never met any two that smile as much as them!

JUNE

This month was busier then ever since I was not only shooting weddings and engagements, but I was also planning a baby shower for my sister. Phewww...

Jeremy and Amy were engaged and getting ready for their July wedding.

On the same day, Gary and Alana got married in her family's back yard. It was GORGEOUS! I love both of them and their families! Sooo sweet!

Jeff and Stephanie really made my job so fun... I barely had to tell them what to do... they were so natural and so fun to be around. I really started looking forward to their October wedding... ALREADY!

Joe and Sarah were the cutest couple as well... so young and in love! Lovvvved them!!!

Then it was off to Indiana to get the baby shower in order. I started by getting some shots of my sister and her little baby belly... she was gorgeous and up for whatever I wanted to do.

I held a super cute "animal themed" baby shower, which turned out great! And my sister got put on restricted activity. She had to sit the whole time at the shower... boo! But... this meant baby Isabella would be coming soon!

JULY

Such a fun month!

We travelled over to Chicago for the holiday weekend to get Cameron and Natasha's wedding. This was one of my favorites of the year and it was a reunion all in the mix, since I went to high school with the groom and hadn't seen him SINCE high school. Sooo fun!

We doubled up a weekend for two great weddings, getting Kaveh and Jenny... who were so laid back and down to earth, yet loved to laugh and have fun!

And Jeremy and Amy, who were just AWESOME, and sooo beautiful!

That next weekend, Todd and I were in a friends wedding, but little behold baby Isabella couldn't wait any longer, as she came during the rehearsal. We rushed down after the wedding to see her and boy was she beautiful and TINY. We only got to see her for two short hours, but I would be going back that next week to spend two weeks with them. Sooo exciting!

I came back to help my sister out with adjusting to being a new mom, with a sore belly from surgery. Poor thing! But was able to spend time with Lil' B.

And see their family go from 2 to 3.... so sweet!

July was a good month!

AUGUST

I came back to take more babies...

Abby was born the SAME day as Isabella... little did they know they would meet again in a couple months when my sister would come visit. She was a doll... and so vocal for her age.

One of my favorite people... Krystal and her boyfriend David, made it in the books. Krystal has been a dear friend of mine and one of my first Michigan friends! She has a special place in my heart!!!

Joe and Sarah made it official, and we had sooo much fun with their wedding since they opted for a first look. I totally recommend this as it takes so much pressure off and they were able to just enjoy the day!

Brandon and Katie made for my second sibling that year, as her older sister got married that January. What a great year for their family! They were so sweet!

I made another trip to Indiana to visit lil' B as I had a couple days off to see the little one grow a bit older.

SEPTEMBER

This month was sooo fun as we had lots of engagements and Maddox came into our lives, plus I found out my BEST friend, Stephanie, was pregnant! Wooo hooo!

Scott and Tami made taking photos so fun as they were up for whatever and they rocked out during this session... they are so laid back and super sweet, and ALSO sooo easy to talk to.

Josh and Christy were so sweet and sooo smart! I enjoyed getting to know them this month.

David and Krystal were married, and it was the BEST time, even though it was a scorcher outside.

Baby Maddox made it to the Veldman's house, well... for a couple days until he got sick and had to spend the next three weeks getting treatment. He was such a cute lil' pup!

I got to take Amanda's senior photos, while the weather was awesome out!

OCTOBER

This month was one of my favorites, not only do I love fall... but I LOVE fall weddings! The weather cooled down a bit, and made this month so nice!

Mike and Rosaria made another one of my favorites for the year... both were sooo adorable and so sweet, plus some interesting stuff during the ceremony really made it one to stay on your toes. I thought they were an awesome couple!

Jeff and Stephanie made their rainy wedding day clear up in no time, as it rained all day previous and earlier that morning. It was perfect!

We got our Maddox back... and we were so excited!!!

My sister came for the week, and we had soooooo much fun!!! It was like a week to catch up and bond again with not only her but lil' B and she was just started to smile, laugh, and giggle... soo cute!

The beautiful family!

NOVEMBER

This month was great... as I got more time with kiddos, and realized that they aren't as scary as I once thought. I think having time with my niece helped. Ha!

David and Kelly were an A-MAZING couple! They probably are the sweetest people on the planet! I can't wait for their wedding this year!

Brooklyn and Davie were adorable kids, and even if they were grumpy that day... you couldn't tell in the photos.

Brehm was awesome... he gave some wonderful faces and those big eyes just locked you in.

Maddox was still growing, as he turned 4 months old

Chloe was such a hambone... but a very cute one! She was a fun little girl, even if it was super cold out that day!

Danielle... the BEST baby! She was awake when we needed her to be, asleep when we needed her there as well. Couldn't ask for more.

We snuck some photos of Mac, Todd's parents dog for an awesome Christmas present.

I ventured downtown Detroit with the Mark White Band, all those guys are the most outgoing, friendly, most loving guys you'll ever meet... it was a real honor! P.S. Look for their CD come this month... as my photos will be in as well. Nice!!!

I braved the cold before Thanksgiving to get a couple more kids in... Abby and Josie... super cute kids.

And their friends Rachel

and Nora. All of them were adorable!

We spent the day after Thanksgiving with a wonderful couple Josh and Christy... sooo fun!

And last but not least...

DECEMBER

Even though I turned another year older, it was a great month!

Lots of great photos and time with the family, plus a nice visit from my booo, Steph and her baby (in the belly)! Such a funnnn weekend!

Then I got to take some photos of Ariana, who never sees snow, since she lives in Georgia... that was fun, yet REALLY cold!

William made his way to the world, and he was a character. He even made a poop stain on the carpet... well let's hope not. But his parents are sooo blessed to have him. I'm sure they won't even live that down and maybe even tease him a little when he's older! Ha! But a very beautiful baby!

Our last wedding of the year... and a very special one as that was! Josh and Talitha made it a beautiful day, and it sure was snowy out as we got 10 inches the night before. They were awesome!

Maddox was ready for the holidays, as were we!

We made it down to Indiana to visit the fam... and of course get some updated shots of lil' B... she's getting to be more fun with her personality quirks and smiles.

We even had some time to be a family ourselves...

What an AMAZING year it's been! If you are still reading... pheww... this was long! But I have to say a HUUUUUGEEEE Thank you to all my WONDERFUL clients this year. Without you guys, I would be nothing and blogging about my poor dog all the time. HA! No, but seriously I love you all and each and every person who reads this blog and supports me... you mean the world to me!

Thanks again! I am looking forward to another successful year!

God Bless You All!