Grand Rapids Engagement Session|Brent and Tara

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May 10, 2010

I’d met Brent, but not Tara before they hired us for their wedding in Grand Rapids in September, so I decided to look her up on Facebook before their engagement session. I’ve often heard photographers say that they attract like-minded clients, and I’ve often found that to be the case, although never to such an extreme extent before — Tara’s interests? “Naps on my couch, Skinny Cows, Barnes and Nobles.” I feel like we were destined to be friends forever. Her dog as her profile picture pretty much sealed the deal for me.

We headed downtown for their session to grab a few shots on the classic bridge.

Happiness.

Brent looks really handsome here.

Tara has some seriously beautiful eyes.

Prior to their session, my mom and I went downtown so I could scout some locations out. We walked around and I made a whole giant plan of where I wanted to go. First time ever that I actually mapped something out before a session. It was kind of a big deal.

Then Seba and I got downtown the next day and parked in the PARKING LOT OF MY PHOTOGRAPHY DREAMS. Amazing lines everywhere. Tara and Brent said they prefer urban style photography. I think this fit the bill pretty much perfectly! So we changed plans, ditched my original locations and Brent and Tara killed it, making this probably one of my favorite sessions to date.

Looking at this picture below makes me smile every time.

I seriously could have shot in there all day long.

But we mixed it up outside with some gorgeous summer light too (though don’t be fooled, temperatures were sub-zero. Ok, that’s an exaggeration but it was cold!).

Love love looooooove these last two! There is something super romantic about both so I put them in black and white. LOVE.

And this last one is hands down my favorite. J’adore SO MUCH! Tara and Brent just look particularly adorable and the lines are so great. Winning combo all around.

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47 Comments

  1. These are awesome Kyle! You rock! :)

    Comment by amberhughes — May 11, 2010 @ 12:21 am

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  2. Kyle, no te lo había dicho antes, pero lo se hace mucho tiempo. Cuando me case, tu serás la fotografa, SI o SI! jajaja.. pero aun tengo que encontrar novio u_u (si, aquél al que confundían con gringo ya no es mi novio).
    Así es q tienes q volver a Chile!

    Comment by Loquenoves — May 11, 2010 @ 12:43 am

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  3. You definitely kicked butt with this one girl! My fave is the one where they are outside and the light is hitting her face.

    Comment by GlobalButterfly — May 11, 2010 @ 12:45 am

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  4. I like pics no 1,2 & 5 – because they showed her beautiful eyes! and the one where she stared upwardly towards camera in black & white. Awesome~good job Kyle & Seba.

    Comment by shue — May 11, 2010 @ 1:14 am

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  5. Love your use of lines and light. You took full advantage of the location. Awesome set!

    Comment by Kristen Honeycutt — May 11, 2010 @ 1:57 am

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  6. Love how you used the parking garage! This is such a great set!

    Comment by cgscott — May 11, 2010 @ 2:41 am

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  7. i love the parking garage set, such great tones!

    Comment by nickkeyphotos — May 11, 2010 @ 3:31 am

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  8. These are fab, Kyle. I love the use of the parking lot, and the bright zingy colours. Nice work!

    Comment by eliza_claire — May 11, 2010 @ 12:33 pm

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  9. Wow! Your work is great! What a beautiful couple & great location! Love the light in the second to last image:)

    Comment by laurathomas — May 11, 2010 @ 12:49 pm

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  10. Great series and I absolutely LOVE the use of arrows and architecture. You have a very good eye.

    Comment by wesbrown — May 11, 2010 @ 1:15 pm

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  11. kyle you are just awesome. i love everything you post lately. beautiful stuff!

    Comment by gabeaceves — May 11, 2010 @ 2:37 pm

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  12. love the bridge shot!

    Comment by Lee — May 11, 2010 @ 3:20 pm

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  13. Really nice, Kyle. I absolutely love the first three shots!

    Comment by Steve Koo — May 11, 2010 @ 3:21 pm

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  14. That second to last shot is my favorite. She is a beautiful woman and I adore her freckles (I have them but mine aren't as awesome).

    Comment by capturinglife — May 11, 2010 @ 3:24 pm

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  15. Don't you just love happy couples? This is a great session. I am happy to see an e-sesh by you! Great work. Beautiful as always.

    Comment by kristi wright — May 11, 2010 @ 7:28 pm

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  16. Lovely eyes AND a great laugh. Wonderful job here. Who would have ever thought we'd spend time scouting out parking lots.

    Comment by ryanbrenizer — May 11, 2010 @ 9:52 pm

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  17. girl… these are stunningly breathtakingly beautiful. seriously. wonderful work!! :) xoxo

    Comment by Christine — May 12, 2010 @ 12:23 am

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  18. I love these Kyle! Like usual you pay such great attention to the details of the compositions which makes them so much stronger.

    Comment by matt shumate — May 12, 2010 @ 3:00 am

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  19. These are all so cute and adorable. can't decide on a single favorite cause it's too hard. But I do love the one at the end of the arrow where Tara is laughing and Brent is supressing a laugh or smirking or whatever! Oh, and also the one where Tara is looking up into the camara is awesome too.

    Comment by Ritamae39 — May 12, 2010 @ 3:23 am

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  20. Great lighting on these photos. Such a happy couple and the last photograph is truely to be admired.

    Comment by monikaszczepaniak — May 12, 2010 @ 9:43 am

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  21. Awesome pictures and unique settings– You guys look great wherever !!!!!!!!!!

    Love, Gramps

    Comment by jwcavender — May 13, 2010 @ 1:35 am

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  22. Kyle, you're in the states?! When are you hedding to Los Angeles? BTW these pictures absolutely rock :-)

    Comment by Drew W Photography — May 14, 2010 @ 11:52 pm

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  23. Ummm, heading to LA when I book a wedding there! We've never been to California, can you believe that?

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:44 pm

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  24. Thanks for commenting, sir, I look forward to meeting you at Brent and Tara's wedding!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:44 pm

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  25. Thank you very much Monika!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:44 pm

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  26. You can never decide on a favorite, you're so silly. I love you :)

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:45 pm

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  27. Thanks Matt, I was thrilled, the parking lot was seriously a dream for cool compositions!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:45 pm

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  28. Thank you Christine!!!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:45 pm

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  29. Haha, the life of a photographer is a random one. Fun, but random.

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:46 pm

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  30. Thanks Kristi!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:46 pm

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  31. I bet yours are as awesome, you're just being modest :)

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:46 pm

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  32. Thanks Steve!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:46 pm

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  33. Gracias Lee!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:46 pm

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  34. Thank you so much Gabe, that means a lot!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:47 pm

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  35. Why thank you, Wes!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:47 pm

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  36. I appreciate the kind words, Laura!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:47 pm

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  37. Thank you Eliza!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:47 pm

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  38. The parking garage was the BEST!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:48 pm

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  39. Thanks, it was an awesome location!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:48 pm

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  40. Gracias Kristen!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:48 pm

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  41. Thank you Shue (and thank you for remembering to include Seba in your compliment, that's really nice of you and he appreciates it!)

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:48 pm

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  42. Thanks, Andi!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:49 pm

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  43. Ahhh, que paso con el pobre quasi-gringo? Siempre es un honor y un placer fotografiar a otros fotografos asi que en el dia que te cases, llamame!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:49 pm

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  44. Thanks Amber!

    Comment by kylehepp — May 21, 2010 @ 5:49 pm

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  45. En resumidas cuentas, terminó conmigo porque tenía muchas cosas q hacer entre la pega y la U, no tenia tiempo y estaba estresado u.u
    Bueno… así pasan las cosas!
    FELIZ!!! ovbio q te llamaré, para además tener el honor de conocer, si no nos conocemos antes :)

    Comment by Loquenoves — May 21, 2010 @ 11:59 pm

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  46. Nada que hacer…algunas personas no son uno para el otro y cuando “it's right,” tu sabras :)

    Comment by kylehepp — May 22, 2010 @ 4:17 am

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  47. Beautiful colors and great use of lighting. Very creative.

    Comment by Saskia — May 29, 2010 @ 3:03 am

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