I’ve been so excited to share these Traverse City sailboat photos because they tell such a special story. I first met Felicia and Jared during their engagement season, photographed their beautiful Black Star Farms wedding, and now I’ve had the honor of documenting another chapter as they prepared to become parents.

Since then, I’ve even had the chance to photograph their first family session together. Getting to watch their story unfold over the years has been one of the greatest gifts this job has given me, and it’s something I’ll never take for granted.

When couples invite me back to document another season of life, it means so much. I get to celebrate alongside them while creating photographs they’ll look back on for decades. That’s one of my favorite parts of being a photographer.

If you’re planning a wedding in Northern Michigan, I’d love for you to take a look at my Wedding Experience to learn more about what it’s like to work together, what you can expect throughout the planning process, and how I approach photographing a wedding day from beginning to end.

A Full Circle Moment

What made this session even more meaningful was the location.

On Felicia and Jared’s wedding day at Black Star Farms, we had originally hoped to create portraits on their sailboat. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. We still created beautiful wedding photographs, but we never had the chance to take the sailboat out.

So when they reached out about maternity photos, they had the sweetest idea.

Instead of choosing a traditional location, they invited me to photograph them aboard their sailboat on Grand Traverse Bay. It felt like we were finally getting to create the photographs we’d dreamed about on their wedding day, just during a completely different season of life.

Sometimes the timing ends up being even better than we originally planned.

Traverse City Sailboat Photos on Grand Traverse Bay

This was actually my very first time on a sailboat, and I absolutely loved it.

Seeing Traverse City from the water was such a different experience than standing along the shoreline. We watched sailboats glide across the bay, spotted the Naughty Cat sailing nearby, and enjoyed one of the most beautiful sunsets over the water.

Walking out toward the front of the boat, feeling the breeze, and watching the sails work together made me understand why so many people love sailing here.

It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful way to experience Northern Michigan.

The Most Meaningful Locations Are Personal

One of my favorite things about photographing couples is when they choose a location that actually means something to them.

For Felicia and Jared, sailing has always been part of their story. So instead of simply picking a pretty backdrop, they chose a place filled with memories.

They even brought along ultrasound photos so we could document this exciting new chapter.

Those little details always make a session feel more personal because they’re part of the story they’ll someday tell their child.

More Than Wedding Photographs

One of the biggest gifts this career has given me is getting to photograph the same couples again and again.

I love meeting couples during wedding planning, celebrating with them on their wedding day, then getting the opportunity to photograph maternity sessions, newborns, anniversaries, and family sessions as life continues to change.

Watching families grow is incredibly special, and I’m so thankful Felicia and Jared have trusted me through so many milestones.

If you’re planning a wedding at Black Star Farms, you can also browse my Black Star Farms wedding (coming soon), or explore another favorite Northern Michigan celebration at Bayview Weddings at Gallagher Farms. If you’re still searching for the perfect venue, you might also enjoy my guide to the Best Northern Michigan Wedding Venues.

Planning Traverse City Sailboat Photos?

Whether you’re dreaming about engagement photos, anniversary portraits, maternity photos, or simply documenting this season of life together, a sailboat session is such a unique way to experience Traverse City.

The combination of Grand Traverse Bay, open water, and Northern Michigan sunsets creates something that’s both adventurous and timeless.

If that sounds like your kind of session, I’d be so honored to photograph it. You can get in touch here, and I’d love to hear more about the two of you and what you’re planning.