Cozy In-Home Grand Rapids Michigan Engagement Photos

If you’re looking to do Michigan engagement photos, please let this session be your inspiration to consider in-home photos. These types of couples sessions are some of my all-time favorites to shoot, but Josh & Holly’s session was special to me for more reasons than that. Their in-home engagement photos were very serendipitous (and we’ll get to that in a bit), but this shoot doubled as a celebration of buying their first home together. That’s the kind of magic I live for as a photographer! When sessions hold more meaning than you might typically expect, they fill my creative cup.  This session was that for me!

Serendipitous Michigan Engagement Photos

Tucked away in Jenison, Michigan, just a short drive from downtown Grand Rapids, this laid-back in-home session was a whole vibe. Holly and Josh purchased the funkiest midcentury modern house I’ve ever seen, and I couldn’t wait to capture them in their element in their vintage kitchen together.  Here’s the extra cool part: I’ve had my eye on this house for years. I admired their MCM gem on walks through the neighborhood long before I ever had the pleasure of meeting this couple. So, when Holly told me she wanted her engagement session in her “cool new house,” and I realized which one it was I *may* have screamed with excitement. Their house is amazing, but I love in-home sessions in general, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to photograph this one.

Planning In-Home Photography in Grand Rapids

The best part about in-home engagement sessions is that the pressure melts away. When you’re in your own space, you don’t feel like you have to perform for the camera. Instead, it’s more like inviting me over to hang out with a side of incredible photos.  The biggest misconception/objection I hear when it comes to these is that clients think their homes have to be museum-level clean or Pinterest-perfect.  That couldn’t be more wrong! I typically shoot in just a couple of my clients’ favorite areas of the home. Don’t bother scrubbing every square foot when you can just hide the stuff you don’t want included in a closet or bathroom. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s comfort. And when you feel comfortable, you show up as your real self.

Lifestyle Engagement Photos Grand Rapids 

That was exactly the case with Holly and Josh. Their session started with a stroll through the neighborhood park, literally steps from their backyard, and then we headed inside to bake cookies in their gorgeous kitchen. They moved through the session like they were just doing their thing. They laughed, chatted, fed each other cookie dough, and hung out by the fireplace with their cat in tow. Some of the sweetest moments happened while they curled up on the floor of their new (incredibly swanky) living room together.

Relaxed Michigan Engagement Photos

Yes, this was an engagement session, but it was also a celebration of another huge milestone: their first home. Buying a house together is a big deal, and it deserves to be documented just as much as the engagement ring. What I loved most about this shoot was how true it felt to them. From the vintage brick fireplace to the recipe book open on the counter, every moment reflected who they are and how they live.

This session wasn’t about picture-perfect poses, it was about connection. That’s exactly why Holly’s feedback afterwards meant so much to me. She told me she had never felt or looked more like herself in photos, and honestly, that’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received.

Engagement Photographers Grand Rapids

Hey, I’m Anika! I’m a wedding and engagement photographer based in Grand Rapids, MI—and I’m all about helping couples capture their connection in ways that feel natural, relaxed, and 100% authentic. Whether you’re planning something big or just want to celebrate the little milestones that matter, I’m here to help you document it all. If the idea of an in-home session speaks to you, let’s make it happen. Check out my engagement packages.  Contact me here and let’s tell your story, your space, your pace, your way.