These two are getting married TOMORROW!!!  I actually can’t believe it’s here.  For this couple, and their friends and family, this year has been the highest of highs and the lowest of lows all thrown together at the same time.  They’ve been overwhelmed with grief and joy simultaneously and to say everyone who knows and loves them is looking forward to an amazing celebration of live and love would be a huge understatement.

We started their session this winter..actually early March!  That was when the snow finally decided to arrive and stay juuuuust long enough for this shoot.  Shooting in the snow was not only fun but also a way to honor Ali’s mom, Angie, who we lost not long ago.  And the fur coat…you can bet that was all Ang too!  We rocked that 1985 relic like nobody’s business ;)

We finished up their session just last month and were glad to be a little warmer (and drier)!.  These two can laugh like no other and I fully expect tomorrow to be filled with a lot more.  We are CELEBRATING these two and the promise they are making to each other.  We will all be joyful that the life these two have planned for is starting and I seriously couldn’t be more excited to be along for the ride.

Seriously..the light…that Ali look-Yes!

Ali and Tony-tomorrow is all about the two of you and I know about 500 people who can’t wait to cheer you on-ONE MORE SLEEP!  Love you both to the moon!

It’s hard to know where to start when I talk about Brandi.  The number of years and connections that overlap are too numerous to count.  All I know is that when I found out she was engaged, I immediately felt OLD!  Then I was beyond ecstatic to be asked to photograph she and Luke’s wedding later this year.  As their wedding will be in December, it will likely be completely dark when they arrive to their reception venue in Celina, Ohio.  Knowing that, we decided not to tempt the accuracy of our timeline for wedding day and started their engagement session there.  Celina will always be a special town to me as well.  It’s where my Dad grew up and where I spent weekends/summers/holidays at my Grandparents’ house right on Grand Lake.  I was more than excited to get the chance to shoot there again!

I had never met Luke until that night…but Brandi’s Aunt Leann had told me earlier that day, “You will LOVE HIM!”  She was right-his squished eyes, big smile, bent in half laughter is contagious!  I was completely in love with watching them interact with very little direction from me!

Brandi asked for three things for their session:  1.  To have some taken in Celina (check)  2.  To have a lot of variety (check)  3.  To shoot in one of the wheat fields they own back in Indiana-CHECK!  And that cotton candy sky was an added bonus :)

Brandi and Luke-THANK YOU for a fun night, for trusting me to check all these things off your listt and for being AMAZING!  I can’t wait for your wedding :)

Oh goodness…these images make my heart happy.  First of all because the backdrop is my favorite place in the world.  Secondly, because Jamie is such a sweet, special girl to me and she probably doesn’t realize that so many others feel that way about her too:)

Last month, Evie and I packed up and headed south for another year of dance Nationals in Charleston, SC.  Yes, I know…what are the odds right?  It’s rough, let me tell you ;)  We love this city and along with us is our dance family sharing a week of relaxation, beach houses and oh yeah…dancing.  I don’t get the chance to do many Sweet 16 sessions but not every 16 year old goes to Charleston with her photographer in tow so you HAVE to take advantage!  We got up EARLY and just started walking a few side streets and with Jamie there, every little nook and cranny of Chuck Town looked absolutely perfect!!!

You might remember we did Jamie’s sister, Jenna’s bridal portraits here last summer too!  I tried NOT to use the same spots (especially since Jenna was watching-HA!) but I’m pretty sure Jamie made it her own.  For the record, I tried to get Jenna to do a maternity session while we were there too (yay-baby Koons coming in November!) but that darn Jenna was barely showing while we were there!

We had our family pictures taken in this exact spot last summer too!  Some things in Charleston you just have to get every time you are there!

We finished in town before the heat of the day hit then took the afternoon off before finishing up at sunset in Folly Beach.  The light  was crazy pretty!  I also photographed ALL the girls from our beach house that night too..you’ll be seeing those too!

Hard to pick a favorite but Jamie laughing is GOLD!  I adore her personality and her friendship with my daughter, especially.

JAMIE!!!!!  YOU ARE GORGEOUS!!!!  I can’t tell you how much fun I had doing these for you.  Start thinking 2017!  BOOM!