Tyler + Katie | engaged

It's Monday and the air today has the chill of winter so it seemed fitting to share this super sweet and snowy session with Tyler and Katie from a few months ago. 

Tyler and Katie met through Tyler's sister, Morgan, who also happens to be Katie's best friend. Their meet-cute story really resonated with me, because it included Katie biting into a creme puff and the creme pouring all over her beautiful homecoming dress. If you know me, you know I'm clumsy and this sort of thing happens to me all too often - I have quite a few of these silly embarrassing things happening to me in front of my now-husband, Brent! They started dating shortly after the affectionately named "creme puff situation," drifted apart for awhile, and then reconnected again a little over two years ago after spending a few years apart.

They have a long story, but at the heart of it all is that sometimes love means waiting until the timing is right. That's what they did, and this coming September we'll all be celebrating their story and all that they've been through that has brought them together!

Dylan + Kacie | engaged

This post has been sitting in my drafts folder for about a month and a half because every time I sit down to write, I feel like I can't quite find words to explain how awesome these two are. When I first met Dylan and Kacie, I thought to myself what everyone else likely thinks to themselves, "Um, these two should be models." And in a very real sense - they are, except from the inside out. They model a love that radiates all kinds of things, like humility, tenderness, patience, grace, and a genuine feeling of ease when they're together. 

What was most special to me about our time together was being able to share in some of the places that held meaning and memory to them on the campus where they met - like where they graduated, the dorm where they first met, the bench that overlooks the baseball field... What a treasure it is for me to be invited into these spaces - it fills my heart like few other things do. 

And I just have to say - Dylan and Kacie have some seriously big hearts and it's one of the reasons that I couldn't be more thrilled to know them AND to be there when they join those hearts together in marriage. A few weeks ago, my grandmother passed away and I shared a little bit about her in a post on Instagram. Shortly after, I received an email from Kacie that was filled with heartfelt words of encouragement and compassion from her and Dylan - it was exactly what I needed in that moment. Yet another reminder of why I'm thankful to do what I do - and a challenge to follow through when I feel led to reach out to someone in kindness.  

Enough of the rambling... enjoy some sweet and sunny images of these super wonderful humans. :) 

Mike + Christine | engaged

I've known Christine since 7th grade and most of my best memories during middle school were, hands down, in her company. She broadened my musical horizons by introducing me to artists like Incubus and I distinctly remember laughing a LOT with her. We've been out of touch since high school with the exception of bumping into each other only long enough for a quick, "Hey! How are you?!" but when I sat down with her and Mike to talk about their wedding a few months ago, I remembered instantly why I love being around her! She's kind, crazy intelligent, and there's something about her that just makes you feel at ease. Mike is pretty great, too - and it was a really sweet thing for me to meet the man that my dear old friend has chosen to spend her life with. They love each other well. 

Also, I just have to say that Mike and Christine are the kind of people whose presence makes time feel like it's moving faster and when you leave, you're like.. "wait, didn't I just get here a minute ago?" I had the best time visiting with them AND getting to scope out two locations that I'd never been to before. Who knew I'd been missing out all of these years of never going to Wrightsville, PA? 

Justin + Kate | engaged

The snow. The light. The laughter. The love.

What a wonderful afternoon spent with Justin and Kate, two incredibly kind people who really just enjoy being with one another. One of the things that was particularly special for me about our time together was the conversation AND learning that Kate and I share some similarities in our personality... and how Justin shares similarities with my husband, Brent! It was a sweet reminder to me of how challenging and rewarding it is to join lives with another person who is so different from you ! The growth required to view grace, patience, unconditional love, and compromise in a fresh new light, and the responsibility it is to be in constant pursuit of God's heart and eyes for your spouse and the beautiful way that perspective trickles into the way you view other people in your life. 

Justin and Kate... man, am I excited for your wedding this summer! 

A Wednesday Adventure

My head feels a little swirly today, so I'll keep my rambling to a minimum. Please bear with me! 

Since the very beginning of pursuing photography professionally and starting our business, I decided that it was really important for me to be intentional about capturing the beauty of OUR life - not just the lives of others. So, that is the purpose of this post - to share a little snippet of where I find beauty in my life! 

We had snow yesterday, but this week began with a few days of what felt like spring and though I love winter, I also really loved being able to venture out into nature without having to bundle up. On Wednesday, Liz and I decided to take advantage of the warmer temperature and take our kiddos (Liz has a human, I have a pup) on a little adventure for some fun and exercise! 

A neat fact about Liz if you don't know this about her already - she is incredibly creative/amazing and started her line of handmade leather goods (Liz Riden) two years ago, which happens to be around the same time that we met and became instant friends. Actually, sort of creepily instant soul mates who have to text each other before hanging out to make sure that we aren't wearing the same outfit. I love it. Anyway, she is TALENTED and makes the most beautiful tote bags, clutches, and even camera straps - you'll see a few of her products below because we thought it would be fun to do some simple product shots on our hike to the White Cliffs. The idea seemed a lot easier in theory than it was in real life... with a one year old whose new favorite food is rocks? ...and a dog who just wants to roll around and run everywhere. BUT we managed to grab a few and I have to tell you, one of my favorite things right now is capturing Liz being a seriously wonderful mother to Emme, who is the silliest ham of the century.