angela bergsma photography

Christmas Cards~ come and get 'em!

For all of my clients you have had sessions (or wedding) with me this past year, now is the time to get your christmas card orders in! I will be taking orders for cards through the end of this month...then time is up!

Delivery will be less then 2 weeks. Prices for 25 custom cards are: $65 for 5x7 flat cards (front and back), $75 for 5x7 or 5x5 folded (front, back, and inside spread), and $85 for 5x7 wide format or square (5x5) trifold (square 3 part-both sides ) To simplify...just ask me to design a rockin' card with your pic choices, and I'll do it! 

Here are some examples ( and if you see your up here, by all means you can order it.)  :

 

**More to come this coming week...stay tuned!

seasons of love and change:

So, I decided at the end of the season last year to focus on limited private sessions, and not accept weddings anymore. This is bittersweet because I love weddings and photographing them! But, through all the seasons of my life there are priorities and boundaries that need to change. For me a perfectionist and artist it is difficult for me to say no to anything creative, including any client that comes my way...but for my sanity and the cherished time I spend with my girls I decided to cut back DRAMATICALLY. I ended up doing way more then I originally set out to do this Spring through Fall, mainly because there were so many seniors banging down my door! (Seniors and models are my absolute favoritist thing to photograph!!) So, I once again have to place some NEW boundaries and priorities for this coming year. 

Much of this decision last year was based on my success as a photographer which is what I always wanted. (Or thought I did!) Once I achieved I didn't feel at peace at all...and I was missing little moments with my girls that cannot be given back. Although I am a stay at home mom and work mainly in the wee hours of night, my focus and sanity was draining! I decided rather then to take a step forward into my own studio full time, and put the girls in day care, I was going to quit photography and homeschool the girls. I think at that moment I was being the dramatic me, and still needed a balance. I took on homeschooling, and this is our 2nd year having a great time together. Priceless moments we share and I think I am learning more then they are! In every change and season I learn new things about myself. I have learned that I am not wasting my gifts by not using them as a job, and my ministry is not gone by me saying no or cutting back. My girls are my ministry and my job, and to be able to preserve their memories with my art is amazing. This year was such a blessing, but I did realize again, that I was doing too much. I am being so honest here, so bear with me! I love what I do, but no amount of money or success in the world is worth lack of peace and priceless moments missed! 

So, with that said...I did cave in and accepted a wedding this year. I couldn't resist as they were wonderful clients that have become once again like family! I will not be accepting any more weddings until my girls are a bit older and the time is right. I will miss doing them, but focusing on select private sessions will still be wonderful. What a way to go out though...this wedding was GORGEOUS! Every detail thought out and every person involved loving and passionate. I love this family! They also know how to throw a party! What a celebration it was. The ballroom was the most elegant place to have a reception...like a fairytale. We had alot of fun between the ceremony stopping around Grand Rapids and taking pictures at some of my favorite spots. In spite of the very cold weather it was a blessed sunny day. The couple is from Chicago but their family is here, so they are used to their share of windy cold weather! I don't think there could have been anything else added to this amazing wedding to make it more beautiful or moving. 

So, on to new seasons for me...feel free to still call and check availability, but ahead of time if I am unavailable...then you will know that I am cherishing time with my family! 

Enjoy your sneak peak! 

 

how beautiful is this anyway?!

 

so sweet and in love...

 

 

 

 

 

 

The flowers were incredible, as was the ballroom!

 

doesn't this look yummy?! My favorite part!

raw beauty

I got the special privilege of photographing a dear friend and amazing beauty inside and out. Now, this was a fun but difficult job because not only is Jace a multi layered girl that has her own ideas (which I love a girl who knows who she is) she had a very specific idea of what she wanted...and she wasn't going to let me put any pink lipstick on her! NO way! She knows red is her signature color. She knows structured hair isn't her thing. (Even after she tore out the hairstyle I did on her!! love you!) She knows that she is a Croatian beauty and has great legs. She is a photographer and can't resist the urge to look at every image I take. (tisk tisk! cheater!)  She knows she is multi layered...which is what I love about her. I don't know another girl in this world like her and that is great. Some days just fall together perfectly, and others you have to really really work at. This was one of those days...a crazy day in the life of a mother/homeschooler/photographer/daughter/sister/frazzled gal! But thank the Lord for gracious friends and the warmness of unconditional love! Love you Jace! We all have days like that. But, we pressed on, and in spite of strange weather changes, lighting problems...it fell together beautifully. I think we ended up with just what we were after...timeless, strong but soft pictures of a raw beauty. 

 

 

 

 

 

two!

My baby girl is 2 on Sunday. It is bittersweet as every child's birthday is for me! I love to see them reach another milestone, and we love parties and celebrating. But, its so hard to see your kids grow up before your eyes!

I always mark their birthday with their own photoshoot. (see previous post for tips on photographing a 2 yr. old!) Its more difficult for me to photograph my own kids at this stage because they are used to me! They do well though...by 3 they are "trained". The girls usually have fun getting their picture taken and especially the dress up part! As long as I let them be involved, and add a new and fun prop or something...they do great. I wasn't expecting her photoshoot to go smoothly, seeing how in the past month or so she hasn't even wanted to look at me when I have a camera! She did so good! She was so happy that day, and it was a warm day so that helped. The other girls came along and even though they were a distraction to me, they helped make her laugh. I got some great shots of her to remember her special birthday. It goes so fast! So cliche'.

 

 

 

 

 

family.

I don't have much to say today. I am at a lack of words. 

Yes, it happened. I usually have more then enough to fill a page. 

I guess I could make up an intersting story. Perhaps something funny one of my kids did this week? I have some pretty interesting moments. A tooth pulling, an accident on the floor, a trip to the orchard in the rain, the funny sayings of a 5 year old, the adventures of an 8 year old "barn" girl, a 2 year old that loves to flush things down the toilet.

Life with a (almost)  2 year old is very interesting. I have been chasing her around with my camera as her birthday is this weekend, and its her turn for the annual birthday photoshoot.

 Although, I am glad that there isn't audio to go along with photos. Definitely. Or you'd hear me acting ridiculous in order to get my baby to smile, or even notice me. I have tried many tricks...as I have trained for the position. Its a fun stage to photograph, but you have to go with the flow! They will give you what they want, and in my case sometimes its closed eyes (pretending to sleep: Jenn/Kara , you can relate yes?) other times its turning her back to me pretending not to hear me at all...no matter how ridiculously loud I am screaming! A strong willed but sweet and intelligent child. I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Now, my sisters family's turn. I took their family pictures and both the kids did great! Maybe because they aren't used to my tactics. I can still "trick" them into  doing what I want! I think my kids have all my tricks covered now. I need new ones! Last year was a stage that was nearly impossible to get a picture of those 2,  but they did so well this time! Yes, another 2 year old. They are so much fun aren't they?! Yes, they really are this good looking...its not photoshop.

Here is a peak:

     

brrrr!

Well, I think that global warming is a joke! It has been unusually cold here in Michigan for a long time...first with our so called Summer that was more of Fall weather most of the time! (Whenever I made it to stay at the cottage, it was cold and rainy!) and now, we have skipped Fall and jumped right into Winter! I sure hope we still get some kind of Fall weather before the month is through! Fall is my favorite time of year...I always wished that it lasted longer...the shortest of the seasons...couldn't it just trade with Winter? So we could have Fall colors and cider and doughnuts with visits to the orchard for 5 months instead of all that snow and cold?! I am not a fan of cold weather! I love Fall. The leaves just froze on my trees in the yard last night along with all the flowers that were still blooming in my gardens...they haven't even turned colors yet!

There are so much things I have to fit in that short month of October! I look forward to taking the kids to the orchard, hayrides, hot cider and doughnuts, all the smells of baking a pumpkin pie on a cold day. We also usually go up to the UP for a week and while the guys duck hunt ( I don't think they have actually gotten anything in a really long time!) we cozy up in the cabins...enjoying the ride up there of course with the colors getting more brilliant as we reach the Mackinac bridge. Enjoying bonfires bundled up with a glass of wine! OOhhh! My favorite. 

Most of all, Fall brings a reminder that we all go through seasons, changes, for the good...even if we have to go through a long WINTER before we get to the new growth! I love the seasons...God was pretty creative huh?! 

Even through this cold spell I have been blessed with good weather every photoshoot I have had this year. My fingers have been chilly a few times, but its been perfect lighting...a few clouds definitely don't bother me. 

I am posting a senior sneak peak for  Hailey and her mom. Another violin student of mine from over 8 years ago! I really feel old when I see these girls grow up so much in such a short time. My own girls will be 18 before you know it....scary! Thanks for your patience guys! I will have your gallery shortly!

Happy Autumn!

enjoy the changing of the seasons, the stillness of a foggy morning, the quietness of a good book and a hot cup of coffee...

( a mom can dream huh?!)

one word-beautiful.

I couldn't title this anything else. How amazing is it that God can create such beautiful things, and they be so different? Each person with unique beauty all their own. These 3 girls couldn't be more different then eachother, but as sisters they share such a special bond, and have unique beauty inside and out. 

My own 3 girls are so different from one another, and its such a joy to discover what makes them different. 

To dig a little deeper and see their little personalities and what makes them tick. I had so much fun photographing these 3. Last year I got to photograph Ava and Ella in a private shoot, and this time it was big sister Hannah's turn. She felt very special, and looked the part! She shined in front of the camera, and although I made her go in the scratchy weeds...tell me it wasn't worth it? I love the photographs of her in the field! 

As a special treat I got to photograph the 3 sisters together, and they had no problem posing for me. I am their "auntie Ang" but still, in a non biased point of view (yeah right) aren't they so amazingly beautiful?

So I never got that curly hair I always wanted, but at least I get to stare at Ella's little curls in full screen as I am editing! I can't get enough of her-that cute little smirk and that hair! Love it. 

I feel blessed to know them and their mamma.

Enjoy your little sneak peak!

romantic and beautiful

You have to check out this beautiful clothing shop : eden's bouquet. She is not only from a like mind as me, which I find intriguing, but she designs wonderful, soft, beautiful clothing for girls and boys. My farm chic mind is caught on her site often, browsing and perusing all the beautiful photography and clothing. She has done a great job with every detail, and I have purchased a few pieces thanks to some great sales she runs from her daily blog. I am eager to get our own family pictures back so I can admire the beauty of the rose colored dress I had my daughter wear in it, and inspired by her designs I created some soft bloomers for the girls that whisper of an era past. I love romantic victorian clothing! So inspirational. Check it out already!

 these are some of the photographs of her clothing:

Cover material~

Hey! Just sharing the excitement: my photo made the cover of TOT TRENDS weekly magazine!

This is one of my favorite photographs too, so I was double thrilled. Check out their weekly mag and find out great info on kids and baby trends and ideas. Always fun with lots of great links featuring some great fellow photographers work.