MEET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Based in Grand Rapids, MI
I'm Stephanie
I’m a photographer who believes photos should feel like memories, not poses.
I photograph people the way I see them. Soft and strong. A little messy. Deeply human. The kind of moments that make you pause and say, “That feels like us.”
Before photography, I spent years as a licensed social worker working with teens and families. That part of me never left. It shows up in how I create space, how I read a room, and how I help people feel safe enough to be themselves in front of my camera. You don’t need to know how to pose. You don’t need to be “photogenic.” You just need to show up as you are.
My style leans cinematic, emotional, and a bit nostalgic. Think movement, connection, laughter between the quiet moments, and the in between stuff that usually gets missed. I care less about perfection and more about presence.
When I’m not photographing love stories, I’m probably rearranging my house for the hundredth time, drinking coffee that’s gone cold, cheering at a volleyball game, or dreaming up ways to make art feel more like home.
If you want photos that feel honest, grounded, and like something you’ll still recognize yourself in years from now, you’re in the right place.
Your story matters.
Because you are art.
THE STORIES I TELL
Here are what makes my heart happy
WEDDINGS
SENIORS & BRANDING
COUPLES
Love notes from the best people.
Working with Stephanie from @empowered_photo for my branding session was such an incredible experience. She made me feel truly seen from the moment we started, which is something that matters so deeply when you’re stepping in front of the camera yourself.
Her posing guidance, creativity, and energy are unmatched. She knows exactly how to direct in a way that feels natural and empowering, and it completely transformed how I showed up during the session.
When she sent over my sneak peeks, I literally gasped. I was so surprised by how beautifully she captured me. Not just how I look, but how I feel. I left the entire experience feeling so confident and empowered.
These images have already elevated my brand in such a meaningful way, and I’m so grateful for her talent and heart behind what she does.
I would recommend Stephanie to absolutely anyone, especially creatives and business owners who want to feel confident, seen, and elevated in their brand.
-Jess Nicole Creative
Words cannot do justice!! I have worked with Stephanie twice now, once for my engagement and once for my dating anniversary (just for fun). Both times she has exceeded my expectations and absolutely blown me away with her talent and ability to capture emotions and stories within her work. She’s truly an amazing artist and I cannot wait to have her capture our wedding!!
-Macy Seeber
My works have been featured in:
