Hello, I’m Gretchen!
If you’re here, it is likely because you are considering hiring me to capture a very meaningful occasion or milestone in the life of you & your family- & you’re wondering if we are be a good fit for each other! Aferall, photography is an important investment, & you want to get it just right. So let me tell you a little bit about me!
First & Foremost an Artist
There was never any question of what I’d be “when I grew up”… I was made an artist! Ever since I was young, I have been keenly observant, noticing the beauty & intricacy of Creation everywhere I look, creating a perpetual sense of wonder and source of inspiration. I have always especially loved the way light & atmosphere can make a place feel, & how God made each person a unique work of art in & of themselves. I have spent my life drawing, painting, observing, perfecting my skills, trying new mediums… but it was in high school when I “woke up” to photography… pictures… “there is someone out there who takes them. Why can’t it be me??” In 2007 I got my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Western Michigan University with an emphasis in photography. My entire senior year of college was spent in the studio & the darkroom… yes, an actual darkroom, developing film & learning all of the various printing techniques. I am grateful to have my roots firmly planted in film, and I feel that my artistic background has helped me immensely to reach the level of success I have as a professional photographer.
Working With Faith Photo
The tagline “In Search of Something Real” emerged in my heart a few years ago. There is a growing pressure in our society to stage and snap every detail of our lives in order to push forth a certain narrative/image of who we are… or at least how we want others to view us. My focus (no pun intended) has gravitated toward soulful inner beauty, genuine moments, meaningful places- and yes- the exterior qualities, too, that make you you. You are precious and you are enough! Let’s let YOU shine. Working with Faith Photography begins with a relationship. If you are a newly engaged couple, I want to know about your love story, what draws you to each other, the places that are special to you, and your vision for your engagement session and wedding day- let’s get coffee or have a phone chat & talk all things wedding! If you’re a senior, I want to know a little bit about your interests, style, gifts, desires, and what makes you unique. If you’re a mama, tell me about your crew & this season of life you’re in that you want frozen in time. It truly does fly, doesn’t it?? Your babes are precious.
I do not work in the confines of a traditional studio, but have always considered the world to be my studio. Because of my amazing powers of observation (haha), I know of a LOT of awesome places we can photograph based on your personality, style, and interests. I am also always open to new ideas. I work with each client to customize their wedding day/session details ahead of time so they are free to relax and shine in their own unique ways in front of the camera. Crisp, clear, colorful, and composed photography is Step 1. Delightful, realistic, polished, and fresh photo styling is Step 2. I have developed my own “FP styling,” beginning with utilizing the best natural light and backgrounds, top-of-the-line professional cameras and Canon L-series lenses, and a highly personalized “digital darkroom” where I carefully edit your images to my artistic & expert standards.
**My ultimate goal is to bring each image to life, while maintaining the natural, organic feel of the moment and place and YOU! Your unique story + my unique style is what sets Faith Photography’s work apart. If this sounds like a good fit to you, contact me to begin planning your shoot!**
A little bit more about me 🙂
I grew up in southeastern Wisconsin’s charming Lake Country area, specifically Hartland. Rolling hills, woods, prairies, crop fields, and animals farms were literally everywhere you looked back then, and of course, the many beautiful bodies of water that give it the name “Lake Country.” My best friends lived on the same road, and we were obsessed with horses and pioneering, practically living outdoors at my parents’ riverfront property. Lake Country has truly been a huge source of joy and inspiration to me, and it is still the primary area in which I photograph senior portraits and wedding events. A few years ago, however, my husband Mark and I chased country-living a bit west. We encountered an incredible opportunity and bought a 20 acre homestead north of Watertown, Wi! It has been quite the adventure… my childhood dreams of becoming a pioneer were basically realized for a while, and many sacrifices were made. But true to my nature, I saw the beauty in this neglected, junky, overgrown parcel, and my heart has come alive restoring it to its natural beauty alongside my man. We have been married for 12 years now, and together we get to love deeply… Yahweh, His son Jesus, each other, our precious & amazing 3 young kiddos, our families, friends, communities, and clients (my husband owns Have Hope Handyman, & he has an amazing servant heart to bless his clients with great work, too!).
Each day is a gift, & these are some of the things that I love about life!
*Being a stay-at-home mama & keeper of our home… with music playing, a candle burning, & a hot chai tea latte close by. It’s the little things that can make a day feel “romantic” & special.*
*NATURE HIKES!!! I know all. the. trails. from here to Holy Hill. If I have a few hours “off,” (thanks hubby!), you can find me breaking a sweat & big smile on one such trail.*
*Snuggling up with a blanket & my Bible… I am a child of Yahweh & a disciple of His son Jesus,
& I LOVE learning about their stories & their ways for life & godliness.*
*Any adventure that includes myself & the kids!!! Dance parties, playing at the park, hitting up the beach, exploring our woods, taking a bike ride to the creek, going out for ice cream… they are such wonderful little companions, & I thank God each day that we get to be together…*
*… because we homeschool! And it’s become such an unexpected source of joy & fulfillment to this mama!*
*Creating nutritious meals & implementing healthy practices in our home… milling my own flour for bread, muffins, cookies, & even our last few birthday cakes, has been a new passion project of mine. I love cooking as much as I can from scratch & learning about the foods God created to nourish us naturally.*
*Time with my hubby, whether it is date nights alone (a time or two he’s even joined me at a wedding!) or boating days with the kids; trips to Farm & Fleet or trips to MAUI! My husband is my best friend <3*
Thank you for stopping by my blogsite and for considering Faith Photography in your own “search for something real.” I cannot wait to learn more about YOU & how I can best capture your next milestone.
~ Gretchen
