The VanderMaas Family
I spent an evening with this joyful family of three soaking in that magical time between summer and fall. We walked through goldenrod fields sharing stories about those sleepy newborn days and marveling at all the joy and beauty (and craziness) that comes with new life.
Morgan and Josiah chose Romans 15:13 as a verse to pray over their daughter and I wanted to share it here:
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I hope these photos always remind you of God’s faithfulness and goodness because you’ve been beautiful testimony to Him to everyone who knows you.
Katie Plas is a family lifestyle photographer who shoots all over Grand Rapids and throughout West Michigan. She loves highlighting true connection, playful interaction, and deep rooted gratitude through family portraiture.
Are you looking for a Grand Rapids family photographer to create heirloom photographs for your family? MESSAGE ME for details on family sessions - I can’t wait to hear from you!
The Campbell Family | Grand Rapids Newborn Photographer
This morning of sunshine and snuggles with this new family of four couldn’t have been sweeter. Welcome, baby Levi. We’re so glad you’re here.
Fall on Film
One of my goals this fall was to go for a weekly hike with the boys. For a little bit it looked like October would be rainy and cold, but this year was one of the prettiest falls I can remember. I haven’t done much with landscape photography, so I wanted to challenge myself and play around with it when we were out soaking up all the goodness of fall. My favorite thing to capture has been, and probably always will be, moments and relationships, but taking the time to look at color and texture and shapes - beauty for the sake of beauty - was refreshing and I want to keep training my eye to see the beauty that’s always out there in front of me.
“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house." - Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Verduin Family | Grand Rapids Family Photographer
This beautiful family and I found a sweet little spot filled with the last of the black eyed susans and spent the evening giggling and dancing and it was perfect.
Thank you, Jake and Laura, for spending the evening with me - it was an absolute joy to make these photos for you
The Escamilla Family | Grand Rapids family photographer
This family. I don’t even know where to begin. Danielle is one of my dearest friends and watching her family grow has been such a joy over the last five years. Last summer they moved to start a new adventure in Texas, but when we were planning a trip to Honor, Michigan with a few other friends we knew we had to sneak out one night for a family portrait session. While I was driving north I saw signs for Northern Lavender Farm and just knew that would be the perfect spot. Andrea was so kind to let us photograph in their fields and hang out with the chickens and alpacas for the evening. The farm is delightful and they’ve got big plans for the future and cannot wait to see how they grow! I’m already planning my next trip when the lavender is blooming in July.
Dear Escamillas, it was such a delight to photograph your family - I’ll always treasure this night!
Discovering a love for film | Grand Rapids Family and Documentary photographer
Just before Covid changed our lives, I dusted off my grandpa’s old film camera. I wasn’t really interested in film, but I was planning to be going to a photography retreat in a little over a month and since one of the topics was film photography, I didn’t want to write it off without trying it.
So I went to a local shop on a surprisingly nice day in February, had someone teach me how to load a roll of film, and headed to the park.
And I loved everything about it. I love the slower pace, the process of planning and then shooting instead of doing it all at once like I usually do. I love the anticipation that came with waiting for scans, I love the colors. I love the challenge and how it forces me to trust what I know about light and angles and depth of field instead of constantly second guessing myself and checking my camera just in case. And when I get it wrong (and there have been quite a few rolls that were totally wrong) I’m learning the most.
So film became my quarantine thing. Something to challenge myself with, to learn, to enjoy. My friends and I texted about the weird things we stocked up on at stores - snacks we don’t usually eat, so many cans of beans and bags of rice, and I stuffed as much film in a box in our fridge just in case.
These are my favorites from my first 10 rolls of 35mm film. For a year that’s been full of so many surprises, I hope this is how I remember it - savoring the moments together and always looking for the light.
The Harrisons | Grand Rapids Newborn & Family Photographer
The perfect summer evening: a sun drenched backyard, fresh baby Asa, and countless giggles and snuggles all around. Congratulations on your growing family, it was a joy to make these photos for you.
The Cramptons | Grand Rapids Newborn & Family Photographer
The Cramptons were certain they would welcome another boy to the family in May. So certain, in fact, that when Audrey asked Jamie, he called out “boy!” and the nurse suggested that he look again. Beautiful little Mary is adored by her family and she’ll grow up with two of the sweetest big brothers you could have. I love that Audrey and Jamie wanted a photo with each of their kids individually and one day they’ll look through these photos and say “remember when…”
This is my favorite way to photograph newborns - right where they spend so much of their first year, in the arms of the ones who love them. Family newborn sessions are laid back, giving lots of time for eating and playing for everyone. The newborn stage of life is short, filled with new challenges and a deep sense of wonder that this is real and good.
The Last Few Months | Grand Rapids Documentary Family Photographer
I started the year convinced that 2020 was the year I’d finally stick to a 365 project but I lost the motivation to find something every.single.day. when quarantine started. I’m glad I got as far as I did, though - 100 days! - and I’m even more happy about the habits it built and the ways it forced me to see the everyday things around me. So here’s what those first few months of covid looked like for us: lots and lots of hikes, lots and lots of reading, a couple birthdays, and being more excited than ever for summer.
