Hey
I'm Thao Lai.
Boss lady, INTJ, humbled wife and mama of three. Lover of authenticity, living intentionally, high heels, and hot coffee even if it's been re-microwaved five times. Lifelong self-learner, problem solver, and family storyteller.
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I'm a corporate, career gal from small town Pennsylvania, metro-Detroit Michigan, and settled in West Michigan with a passion for all things documentation. I prefer being a homebody most days and if there's delivery, sign me up. Above all, I always try keep it real in all the different facets/titles of my life.
Professionally Recognized
Judged for technical expertise and vision, I am a ClickPro photographer, belonging to an association of professional photographers pursing advanced artistic and business development while amplifying the voice of women worldwide. Trust your everything with a professional.
About my clients
I love my clients because they are me. They value the non-renewable resource: Time. They want to remember authentic moments and want to have fun doing it. They value high quality and real representation in their legacies. And, they want to be pictured IN those stories.
They don't only want holiday card-worthy portraits, but appreciate my vision for remembering the beauty in their everyday life and the connection they have with each other. They aren't afraid to goof off and have me document it. They are the unapologetic heroes of their story.
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When they look at old pictures like this below, they see perfection for all of it and want it for themselves.
(My mother, sister, and I somewhere with a goat circa late-80s.)
Session Info
A nice portrait will most often win on your Christmas cards or wall canvases, but tell me what is most important to you? What is your WHY? It might actually be the bedtime routine for the little ones, the way your baby holds her toes, or the way your husband picks up your son and tosses him into the air. Maybe it's the daily cuddles you get with all of them right after dinner. Wouldn't it be nice to remember these 'most importants' as this changes day-to-day, month-to-month? This is what I love about photography and documentation. It's those 'remember when' moments that you don't get in just portrait photography... it's your lifestyle, your details, your 'day in the life'... a LIFESTYLE session and that is what I would love to share with you.
Client Testimonial
"Thao is an AMAZING photographer! She catches the essence of my family and my children in their natural environment. I am always so impressed with the outcome, and believe me, photographing my young children is not for the faint of heart. The colors, smiles, angles, and her ability to catch my kids true personalities on film means SO much to me! We have had the pleasure of having Thao photograph all our major events in life, and I couldnβt be happier!!"
Beth M | Hudsonville, MI
Contact Me
Thanks for stopping by! Please fill out the form below to tell me a little more about how I can help tell your story.
DonThao Photography
Serving Michigan & Beyond
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Β© DONTHAO PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN, LLC | DONTHAOPHOTOGRAPHY[AT]GMAIL.COM | PROPHOTO Website
THAO LAI IS A WEST MICHIGAN BASED PHOTOGRAPHER SPECIALIZING IN ENGAGEMENTS, FAMILIES, CHILDREN, MATERNITY, BABIES, HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR, LIFESTYLE PORTRAITURE & PHOTOGRAPHY
SERVING GRAND RAPIDS, GRAND HAVEN, SOUTH HAVEN, BYRON CENTER, HUDSONVILLE, ROCKFORD, ADA, CALEDONIA, EAST GRAND RAPIDS, JENISON, GRANDVILLE, TRAVERSE CITY, LANSING, OKEMOS, EAST LANSING, DETROIT, BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MADISON HEIGHTS, NOVI, MICHIGAN, AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. SHE IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR TRAVEL