It’s finally here. Tomorrow is Jessica and Nick’s wedding and I couldn’t be more excited for all the pretty that is to come! I knew from the minute she called me that we were going to have a ball with this-and we have! I’ve never met anyone before that uses as much exclamation points in text messages as me…we’re a match made in heaven!!!!!! (!!!!!!!!!!). She’s been a bridesmaid in many of my prior weddings and I’m so glad that I get to be HER wedding photographer now!!!
The week leading up to their engagement session included messages from Jessica like, “I can’t wait for next week!” and “All I want is a sunset picture!!!!!!!!” (!!!!!!). Then the day came….and the weather just didn’t cooperate. It was in the middle of the terrible June rainy crap that we all had to live through. I made a tough call that it would likely be too wet to use the places Jessica had picked out. And what did it do that night..it cleared up and was sunny. And the sunset was amazing.
That has to be the worst part of this job. Deciding when to try and when to try again. So, I was just praying that the next night would be just as pretty.
Nick, like most men, tolerate engagement pictures for the woman they love. Nick was just coming off of a long night of work and it was HOT in this flannel shirt, but he was wonderful! He has the best smile and Jess knows how to pull it right out of him. We started the session on Nick’s family property-I love places with meaning!
After the woods, we headed South, stopped and got Nick an energy drink and prayed the storm that was on it’s way would miss us….
We were shooting in this field and I was loving this gorgeous sky. It wasn’t the crazy colorful one from the prior night that we had missed, but it was still stunning. I kept checking my radar and could see the sun had set..and the storm was close. And then to the North, I could see some color in the sky hiding behind a woods. I literally made a last minute decision to pack up and try and follow it!
I’d say the risk paid off. I have never in my life seen a more stunning sky. The colors, the textures…..SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’d say the call to wait until this night was a good one!
Nick and Jessica-tomorrow is going to be perfect….and I’ve got my cowboy boots ready to roll!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m currently sitting in a hotel room with my laptop and cable TV (yay!) prepping for the wedding of these two amazing people tomorrow. My gosh, it’s so hard to believe how quickly time passes. When I started dating Tim, his cousin Gregg was just a little KID! I swear, these moments of reality are daily occurrances but they still feel shocking ;)
Gregg has found the perfect girl. Lavonne is quite simply amazing. I don’t get to spend as much time with her as I would like, but in the past year of chatting, planning and getting to know her a bit better, she brings out the best in Gregg. She is confident and kind. She’s funny and quick and I think I may have a slight girl crush on her!!
It was last February when we planned a quick little shoot for their save the dates at Gregg’s parents place in Berne. The only issue is that we didn’t realize it was like 30 below that morning. And I forgot gloves. It’s funny that that’s what I remember. By the end, I couldn’t feel my hand push the shutter button on my camera. Session over ;)
Fast forward to this summer when I met them in Goshen to finish what we started. We were THRILLED for the heat and humidity, were relieved that the storms that day passed quickly, and Gregg was once again glad it was over. Oh, he’s going to love the marathon photo session tomorrow!
I just LOVE their playfulness in every single image. Sooooo them!
Guys, I absolutely cannot wait for your wedding tomorrow at camp….bring on the celebration!!!
It’s no secret I’m not the ‘best’ at keeping my blog up to date. I swore, with the launch of my new site and brand, that I would be more diligent at it. THEEEEN comes busy season and my priority is always to shoot and edit sessions as quickly as possible for all of my clients. And this has been one of my busiest summers ever. So, with that said, I vow to at least try and make up for my slacker ways over the winter when it’s miserably cold and I’m sitting here eating bon bons all day…..
If you follow me on Instagram, you probably already know that a week ago today was Jenna and Joel’s wedding. I’ve worried a little that I’ve seemed especially excited about her wedding and how that might appear to my other brides who are just as important to me. But the thing is, Jenna and her family are far more than clients. Jenna is my daughter’s dance teacher. And by that, I mean we take trips and spend long weekends together in hotels (and on beaches) hanging out. That has turned into doing things on the weekends back home too. And her family feels like family.
So at their wedding, the four of us Hoffmans were invited guests and we were there with all of our friends. My daughter didn’t leave the dance floor all night…I don’t think I did either! I was also the photographer. And as it happened I played a part in the planning too. That’s what friends do-we get involved and we get excited. And we were ALL VERY EXCITED!!!
Which brings me to these images. During Nationals dance competition in SC this year, I literally begged Jenna to bring her bridal gown. I mean Charleston is my happy place after all-I would move here tomorrow if I could. And seriously, having an opportunity to photograph a bride there had me squealing with joy. It’s true. Tim can testify.
So, at the crack of dawn (the humidity down there after 10 am is NO JOKE), I met Jenna and her mom, Karen, in the historic district for one of my favorite sessions of all time. Jenna would look stunning next to a dumpster…but pair her with the city as a backdrop and ohholynightthelight…..Let’s just say it took every ounce of strength I had to wait until NOW to share these!!!
This is the one Jenna chose for her gallery wrap-it looked so amazing displayed at the reception!!!
Jenna and Karen…thanks for making room for one more thing during our week..and for making room in the van too!!! Your friendship means the world!
