Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith | A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Unique Grand Rapids Photography Project
If you're here, chances are at least one of these applies to you:
1) You are fans of Amy Grant or Michael W. Smith
2) You’re curious about styled photo shoots
3) You’re interested in how we approach photography projects for businesses and organizations
Let’s dive into a special project that combined all three. As a Grand Rapids photographer focused on capturing professional portraits and business events, this was an unforgettable opportunity.
The Call from WCSG
Our story begins when WCSG, Grand Rapids' #1 Christian radio station, approached us. They had a unique request: create a "Christmas photo shoot" for a contest-winning family to meet Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith during their Grand Rapids tour stop. The project was part of their promotion for the artists' holiday concert at Van Andel Arena.
This wasn’t just about snapping photos—it required the planning and execution of a professional marketing project. Here’s how we made it happen.
Location, Set Design, and Styling
The shoot was scheduled from 7:00 to 7:15 p.m., just before the concert’s 7:30 p.m. start. This left us with a tight window and a unique challenge: creating a festive, polished set backstage at Van Andel Arena.
To bring this vision to life, I partnered with Heather Haveman of House of Haveman. Heather designed a shiplap wall backdrop, complete with garlands, a black bench, Christmas trees in decorative tins, and other cozy accents. Her husband Josh and her brother-in-law Kevin—a skilled woodworker—helped construct and transport everything to the arena. The setup was ready an hour ahead of schedule, proving teamwork makes all the difference.
Pro Tip: Follow Heather on Instagram (@houseofhaveman) for design ideas and inspiration!
Wardrobe and Styling
Heather also introduced me to Renee Hogoboom, manager at the J.Crew Factory Store at Tanger Outlet and an experienced stylist. Renee worked closely with the winning family to select outfits that matched the set design and festive theme. Her guidance ensured everyone looked their best—and avoided the dreaded "What should I wear?" panic.
Wardrobe Tip: Need styling help for a photo shoot? Reach out to Renee for expert advice.
The Photo Shoot
The Kik family—our contest winners—arrived 30 minutes before the shoot. They hadn’t had family photos taken in years, so we spent time helping them relax and get comfortable in front of the camera. This included capturing candid moments and timeless portraits before Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith joined us.
Just before 7 p.m., we gave the family a quick break to relax and take in the experience. The joy and connection we captured in those moments was truly special.
Then, right on time, Amy and Michael arrived. They warmly greeted the family and, ever the professionals, seamlessly transitioned into the shoot. With only a few minutes before the concert, we stuck to our plan: two distinct poses—one standing and one seated with the daughters.
The lighting was prepped, the energy was high, and the resulting portraits were timeless. Everyone left the set smiling, and the moments captured will undoubtedly be cherished forever.
Following the two setups and knowing Amy and Michael had about 2 more minutes with us, they took a moment and recorded a special video with the daughter's.
It was a moment that showed Amy and Michael going above and beyond for the winners (and now fans for life).
The staff at WCSG, along with my team of Rebecca, Heather (and Josh), Kevin (and his wife Hillary), Renee and fellow photographer Aimee (along with her husband Wes) made this project one we will never forget.
That being said, we wanted to make sure and capture additional portraits of each of the people that helped us on the project (Renee, you were busy getting everyone dressed and looking great, so sorry about that).
The Results
The shoot exceeded expectations on every level:
Social Media Engagement:
Facebook: 323 likes, 29 comments, 2 shares (typical posts: 50-100 likes)
Instagram: 95 likes (typical posts: 25-50 likes)
Winning Family: A priceless experience and photos they’ll treasure forever.
Promotion for WCSG: A standout event that drove engagement and conversation leading up to the concert.
Why Choose Tiberius Images?
At Tiberius Images, we’re more than just photographers. We’re storytellers and problem-solvers, helping businesses and organizations bring their vision to life through professional photography. Based in Grand Rapids, we serve clients locally and worldwide, specializing in portraits, events, and unique projects like this one.
If you’re looking for a Grand Rapids photographer to tackle your next project—whether it’s for your business, organization, or something entirely out of the box—let’s connect. Together, we’ll create something extraordinary.
Contact us today to start planning your next unforgettable photography experience.