ENGAGEMENT: Ian and Annie

Ian and Annie are simply fantastic. Very easy to work with, and heck, we even went out and shot photos in the rain. They are a great couple. I've known Ian since, well, since I was born. Being my cousin, I'd visit his family and play hockey, video games and all the things we do as children in the summer. I met Annie in high school. The two are just wonderful. Here's a short edit of their engagement shoot. A big congratulations to them both on their upcoming June wedding. :)























Oh, and here's the fun outtake of the shoot. There were a few, but these two take the cake. :P

FEATURE: Midland and Dow Graduation

Midland High School senior Mark Torkelson, 18, sits back against yellow padding on the gymnasium walls, his shoes kicked off, waiting to line up for the commencement ceremony Friday night at Midland High School. "I'm moving on with a new chapter in my life — a chance to start over in a new environment with new people and new experiences," Torkelson said. "People say graduation is bittersweet, but I don't feel any of that right now. I just want to get out of here and be done with school."



Dow High School seniors sit in the gymnasium Friday night waiting to receive their diplomas at H.H. Dow High School's commencement ceremony.



Midland High School senior L.J. Jones, 18, at center, practices moving his tassel while waiting in line for the band to begin "Pomp and Circumstance" as the seniors prepare for the graduation ceremony Friday night at Midland High School. "I'm ready for that next chapter in life. College, here I come," he said smiling.



Midland High School senior Carson Grzegorczyk's tassels dip into the edge of the water Friday night as the 18-year-old takes a sip from the water fountain before standing in line in preparation for Midland High School's commencement ceremony.



Dow graduate Paige Stavely laughs with a friend as everyone in the graduating senior class turns around to listen to the choir sing Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" on Friday night at H.H. Dow High School's commencement ceremony.



From left: Midland High School senior Kiana Helm, 18, hugs Ashley Kihn, 18, white sitting with Natasha Seaman, 17; Ashley Demo, 18; Josezette Jewell, 18; and Erica Quinn 18 as they sit on a set of bleachers in a gymnasium waiting to line up for the commencement ceremony Friday night at Midland High School. "I'm finally going to be an adult," Quinn said. "I can do stuff on my own without my parents. I am going to go to college and become a nurse like I've always wanted."

FEATURE: Sick and tired

Isaac Workman, 8, of Midland lays on a rolled up mat Friday night on the second floor of the H.H. Dow gymnasium while a sibling graduates. Workman has been sick for two days and was trying to rest away from the noise and hundreds of people. "I'm so tired. That's why I am trying to sleep over here," he said. "I am so sick of being sick."

FEATURE: Swings

Lansing resident Jason Hillard taps the back of the swing as he pushes his one-year-old son Oechli while swinging on a swingset Thursday afternoon in Emerson Park. The pair were in Midland while Hillard's wife was working, and decided to find something to do at the park.

PORTRAIT: Memorial Day

FEATURE: Memorial Day Parade

Midland's McKenzi Jacobs, 8, smiles as she recognizes her cousin while riding in a barrel race car during the Memorial Day parade Monday morning along its route on Rodd Street in Midland.

FEATURE: Live Wax Museum

Fifth-grader Grant Ostergaard, 10, stands tall with his hand at his side as he represents Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th U.S. president and commanding general of the Union Army that defeated the Confederates, during the American History Wax Museum where dozens of students dressed as historical figures Wednesday at Woodcrest Elementary School. "It's really exciting, but I'm pretty nervous," he said of standing as a statue. "It's weird to have everyone walk by and watch you. It's kind of intimidating."



Fifth-grader Matthew DeMoville, 11, stands still, his hand saluting passersby as he represents Andrew Jackson, the seventh U.S. president, during the American History Wax Museum where dozens of students dressed as historical figures Wednesday at Woodcrest Elementary School. "He's pretty cool. He had some foul-ups in his life, but he was just a regular guys like the rest of us," he said of Jackson, who DeMoville knew little more than that he appeared on a $20 bill before this project.



Fifth-grader Natalie Earley, 11, stands still as she represents Ruby Bridges, the first black child to attend an all-white elementary school in the South, during the American History Wax Museum where dozens of students dressed as historical figures Wednesday at Woodcrest Elementary School. "Standing here, waiting for people to talk to me — it's pretty embarrassing," she said. "Once they come up to you, you can talk about your story. I really like dressing up, and to be her, it's really a good experience."

SPORTS: Loons vs. Silver Hawks

Great Lakes Loons outfielder Roman Pena throws his head back in disappointment in the dugout after his team's first batter struck out in the ninth inning Monday night at Dow Diamond. The Loons lost 8-3 to the South Bend Silver Hawks.



Great Lakes Loons catcher Steve Cilladi sticks his tongue out as he anticipates where the ball will drop, diving forward as he misses catching a foul ball in the third inning Monday night at Dow Diamond.



Great Lakes Loons' Leon Landry hits a base hit Monday night at Dow Diamond.



After stopping the ball with his body, Great Lakes Loons shortstop Christian Lara throws the ball to first base in an attempt to get an out in the third inning Monday night at Dow Diamond.

FEATURE: Not a "text"book graduation

Wearing flip-flops to stay cool, Farwell High School senior Doug Banach sits on the floor texting other friends in line while waiting to enter the gymnasium for graduation Sunday at Farwell High School.

FEATURE: Pet Pageant

Midland resident Jean Thompson wraps her arms around the fake locks of hair as she puckers up for a kiss from her dog Sheila, her one-year-old Jack Russell-labrador mix, while sitting on a bench near the Tridge after competing in a costume contest Saturday afternoon during the Parade Your Pet Pageant. Thompson, who works at the Humane Society, adopted Sheila as a rescue. Shelia's former owners surrendered her and she came without a name. "She was so adorable, I had to bring her home," she said. "Her former owners abused her. She needed someone who would care. This is a second chance for her. I love her so much."