Claire Elizabeth Photography

06/02/2026

✨ 9 Years ✨
This month marks 9 years of Claire Elizabeth Photography, and honestly, it's hard to put into words what that means to me.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think this little photography business would grow into my full-time career. What started as a hobby and a creative outlet has become something so much bigger than I ever imagined.

Over the years, I've had the privilege of capturing so many special moments—welcoming new babies, documenting family connections, celebrating milestones, and creating a safe, comfortable space where everyone feels welcome, including those with special needs and their families. Watching families grow and being trusted to preserve those memories is something I will never take for granted.

This journey hasn't always been easy. There have been challenges, growing pains, moments of doubt, and plenty of late nights. But through it all, you've continued to support, trust, and believe in me.

What many people may not realize is that your support has done so much more than help me build a business. It has allowed me the flexibility to be present for my own family—to attend appointments, school events, therapies, and all of the little moments that mean so much. As a mom, that is a gift I can never fully express my gratitude for.

Because of you, I get to do what I love while also being there for the people I love most.

Nine years later, I'm still the photographer, editor, marketer, accountant, social media manager, scheduler, equipment manager, problem solver, and occasional crier... and honestly, I wouldn't trade it for the world. ❤️

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for choosing me, recommending me, sharing my work, cheering me on, and trusting me with your memories. Thank you for supporting not only my dream, but my family as well.

Nine years later, I am still in awe that this is my reality, and I am so incredibly grateful for every single one of you.

📸✨ Thank you for being part of this journey.
P.S. If you've been part of my journey over the years, I'd love to hear how long we've known each other, how many sessions we've done together, or see your favorite photo from a session we've shared! 🥰❤️

05/28/2026

We would like to introduce our pilots for the 2026 Hot Air Balloon Shoot-Out.

First up we have the returning champion... Steve Mitchell. Steve is also our Weather Officer for the weekend. Welcome back Steve!

05/25/2026

05/20/2026

Just popping on to say I know I’ve been MIA a lot lately 😅

Life behind the scenes has been BUSY. Between kiddos, summer schedules, editing galleries, sessions, and all the end-of-school-year chaos, the days have been flying by. Some seasons are slower… and some are survival mode 😂. Right now we are definitely in survival mode over here.

My editing list feels a mile long at the moment, BUT if you’re currently waiting on photos, don’t worry — I’m still on track with my two week turnaround time ❤️

My kiddos have been keeping me on my toes a little extra lately, and balancing mom life with business owner life has looked a bit chaotic behind the scenes. I appreciate every single one of you for your patience, support, and for trusting me to capture your memories while I juggle all the things.

Also… my summer schedule is almost completely booked 😳 which is exciting, humbling, and honestly a little wild to think about. Thank you for keeping me busy doing something I truly love.

If you’ve been thinking about booking a summer session, now would be a good time to reach out before remaining spots are gone ☀️

Thank you all for sticking around while I disappear into editing caves, mom life, and whatever chaos summer decides to throw our way

05/18/2026

Hello all! I am looking for recommendations for a Santa to use this year and remaining years!!! Unfortunately the Santa I have used the past few years will no longer be available. If anyone knows of anyone please message me or call or text 616-902-6265

Thank you!!

05/10/2026

Home is wherever they are 🤍
Being their mom has been the best adventure of my life. Happy Mother’s Day 🤍

04/30/2026

Autism Acceptance Month 🤍

As April comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to say thank you.
Thank you to every family who trusted me with their stories.
Thank you for sharing pieces of your lives, your journeys, your children, and your hearts.

This month has been filled with so much love, learning, and perspective. Each child or adult featured brought something uniquely beautiful—whether it was joy, strength, creativity, kindness, or resilience.

Autism is not one story.
It’s not one look.
It’s not one experience.

It is all of this—every smile, every expression, every moment captured here.
My hope is that these stories didn’t just get seen… but felt.
That they helped others slow down, understand more deeply, and lead with kindness.

Acceptance goes beyond a month.
Let’s continue to create spaces where everyone is seen, valued, and celebrated—just as they are 🤍

04/29/2026

Behavior is communication 🤍

What we see on the outside is only part of the story.

For children… and for adults…
behavior is often a response to something deeper—
overwhelm, anxiety, sensory input, or unmet needs.

It doesn’t stop at childhood.
It just starts to look different.

Understanding instead of judging can make all the difference.

This applies to kids… and adults who were once those kids.

04/28/2026

This one feels really special to share 🤍

I was recently interviewed by Voyage Michigan where I got to talk about how this journey started, the ups and downs, and what photography means to me today.

What started as something small has grown into something so meaningful—capturing love, connection, and moments that families will hold onto forever.

I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for every single person who has trusted me to document their memories.

You can read the full interview here 🫶

Today we’d like to introduce you to Claire Adkinson. Hi Claire, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.I started photography as a hobby back in 2017, but my love for the camera actually started long before that. In high school, I was part of the yearbook ...