MEET MAELYNN
Hello, I’m Maelynn Westerman. My purpose in life is to serve God and love others like Jesus. One of my top priorities is creating lasting memories with my loved ones. Whether it’s snuggling on the couch with my youngest nephew and niece, sharing movie nights with my older nieces, hunting with my dad and brothers, baking alongside my mom, or enjoying meaningful conversations with my sisters-in-law, each moment is a gift. Memories are priceless, and I treasure every second with the people I love.
HOw it all started
I didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a photographer. I just loved capturing little moments with my family and friends. Photos of everyday life made me happy, but I never imagined turning that enjoyment into a career.
That changed when I turned 17. One evening, I was texting my sister-in-law Kristi, a talented family photographer in Indiana, asking her a few casual questions. Something about that conversation sparked something in me. I called my mom into my room and said, “I think I’m going to buy a camera tonight. I want to become a family photographer. Is that okay?” With Kristi’s help and a lot of late-night research, I ordered my first camera, a Rebel T7.
The camera arrived a few days later, and I immediately took a family out for a session. That day changed everything. I fell in love with the light, the connection, and the joy of freezing time in a frame. From there, I dove into learning everything I could, including posing, editing, and shooting techniques, and photography quickly became my passion.
Since then, it has been a beautiful, unexpected journey, and I wouldn’t change a thing. The rest is history.
MY APPROACH
As a lifestyle photographer, my approach goes beyond posed portraits. I’m here to capture the real, in-between moments, the laughter, the connection, and the genuine emotions that naturally unfold. I believe the most meaningful photos come from authenticity, not perfection.
During your session, my goal is to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere where you feel comfortable just being yourself. I’ll gently guide you, but I will never force stiff poses or forced smiles. Instead, I focus on interaction and connection, allowing your story to come to life in a way that feels natural and true to you.
Whether we’re capturing the biggest day of your life, at your home, in the woods, or at the beach, I want you to enjoy the experience just as much as the final gallery. When you look back at your photos, I hope you see more than just images. I hope you see real moments that reflect who you are and what matters most.
C L I E N T L O V E
Molly Wieling
"Maelynn took newborn pictures for us after having our second son. With a two year old and a week old baby, Maelynn did such a great job. She engaged our toddler so well, and made quick work of capturing our newborn in his sleepy moments. We were thankful that the shoot was quick and were surprised by how many awesome photos she got! It was a wonderful experience from start to finish. Maelynn is quick in communicating, patient with kiddos and delivers moments captured that you will treasure forever! Highly recommend!"
FAQ
Where are you located?
I am based in Grand Haven, Michigan, but you can take me anywhere!
What kind of sessions do you offer?
While I primarily focus on wedding, couple, family photography, I also offer event, branding, and senior photography upon request.
When will I receive my gallery?
For non-wedding sessions, you will receive a handful of sample images within 48 business hours, and your full gallery within three weeks. For weddings, you will receive around 20 sample images within 72 hours of your big day, and your full gallery within six weeks.
Do you provide printing services?
Printing your photos is so important, so yes, I do offer printing services! Information about my printing services can be found in my Welcome Guide.
What happens if the weather is unfavorable?
I’m equipped to shoot in various weather conditions. If the weather conditions poses a risk to our safety or the integrity of my gear, we will reschedule. My priority is to deliver the best possible results for your photos, and I’m always flexible in adapting to unforeseen circumstances.
What gear do you use?
I shoot on two Canon R6 Mark II. I have a Canon 6D Mark II as my backup. My go-to lenses is my 28-70mm f/2.0, 70-200mm f/2.8, and my 50mm f/1.2. My Godax v1 flashes are where the magic happens!