Earlier this summer I had the great honor of capturing my cousin Bryan’s proposal to his college sweetheart, Chelsey.  And I have been counting down the days since then until their engagement session!  He proposed on the steps outside the building where they first met while at their freshman orientation at the University of Cincinnati.  He told her they had a baseball banquet to attend, however, instead of leading her into Tangeman University Center, he dropped to one knee to ask her to marry him.  Their families waited and watched as much as they could from right inside the doors, while I stood at a distance so as not to be recognized.  Chelsey said yes!  And they’re planning their beautiful wedding day and all of the fine details!  As I traveled to Cincinnati this past weekend for their engagement session, I replayed their proposal story in my head and could hardly wait to get them in front of my camera again!  We started the session in their lovely apartment for some cozy and intimate portraits, including their furry kitty, Mila…who didn’t seem to mind being photographed, except when it was her nap time!  Watching Chelsey and Bryan snuggle, laugh, dance, and  to just be was perfection.  After a wardrobe change, we ventured to downtown Cincinnati for more portraits with some fall color – a perfect match to Chelsey’s beautiful mustard lace dress! – and scenery – to include C’s love of architecture and texture.  While it was an overcast day, it played up the moody, romantic tone that these two wanted and in all the best ways!  In other words, we couldn’t have asked for a better day all around!  C + B, photographing the two of you together was so much fun, and I’m already looking forward to your wedding day in a little over a year!  I’m so excited for you both!  Could you guys be any more gorgeous?!  Ohhhhhh my goodness!!! Congratulations on your engagement!  Enjoy a few of my many, many favorites! xxoo

 

 

When you click with people, you just feel it, and it’s one of those magical feelings that is so special!  That’s exactly how I felt when meeting with Catherine and Brandon!  I loved every second of hearing about their wedding plans, and when they shared how Brandon proposed, well, I was even more smitten with these two!  They were visiting Brandon’s Mom in Florida.  And Brandon asked Catherine to go for a walk along the beach to look for seashells.  He had the ring carefully stowed away in his pocket, and waited for the right moment.  The one where he would ask the woman of his dreams to be forever his.  And that’s just what he did.  After some searching, Catherine asked him what he had found.  He opened his hand to reveal not only treasures found on the beach, but one very special treasure that sparkled more than the rest.  Of course, she said “Yes!”  Since then, they’ve been planning a very special wedding day with their closest friends and family, and I cannot wait to be there with them to celebrate!  Catherine and Brandon, it has been an honor – and such a fun one at that! – to get to know you both and to cheer you on as your wedding day approaches!  I am SO excited for you both!!!  And now for some favorites from your beautifully sweet engagement session!  We started the session in their gorgeous, magazine-worthy home with their handsome pup, Manning!  He loved snuggling with them for some photos!  After a wardrobe change, we headed out to explore downtown Carmel, where they love exploring, dining, and hanging out!  C + B, you two are a perfectly adorable pair, a sheer joy to be around, and I cannot wait to see you on your wedding day!!!

The countdown to their wedding day is officially in high gear!  I am absolutely so excited for Elizabeth and Mike’s special day!  Before we get to some favorites from their engagement session, it’s important to share a few things about this lovely pair first!  They met through friends in Chicago on Pi Day, 03.14.15, and their connection has been full of chemistry ever since!  They share a love of college basketball, trying new foods, reading, and all things science fiction, and more.  They are funny, wise, compassionate, silly, and completely adorable together!  With her dark hair and piercing light eyes, Elizabeth has such a stunningly graceful way about her.  She is beautiful! And when Mike looks at her, he can’t help but smile with his wide, bright grin – you know, in that way that no one else can elicit.  It’s magical to watch!  Speaking of magic, when they told me their proposal story, it gave me goosebumps!  Living in Carmel, they enjoy many of the local events that the Arts & Design District has to offer.  They attended monthly gallery walks and loved doing so.  However, one particular gallery walk was going to have even more meaning for these two.  Mike contacted the City of Carmel, and explained that he planned to propose to the woman of his dreams.  So the event took place with a scavenger hunt, as usual, until the end of the evening where Elizabeth won a very special prize – an engagement ring!  How amazing is that?!  Needless to say, Elizabeth was blown away…and, of course, she said Yes!  Way to go, Mike, good work!   It only made sense to spend our day taking engagement portraits in places that hold deep meaning for them as a couple. We spent a chilly, breezy March afternoon exploring the city they call home and a few of the areas in Carmel that they love visiting together, starting in their cozy home with their 2 furry kitties, drinks in a favorite date spot, Divvy, and in the local library in honor of their shared love of reading.  Thank goodness for the golden sunshine on such late winter day!  Despite the chill in the air, these two snuggled, shared kisses and laughs, and twirled to keep each other warm, and it was sheer perfection from beginning to end!  Elizabeth and Mike, I loved sharing this exciting time with you, and I cannot wait for your wedding day!!! Hugs, hugs, hugs to you both!!!

*A very special thanks to Divvy and the Carmel Library for their hospitality and for making the day so special for this couple!!! xxoo

They met while she was teaching Spanish as part of her Masters program.  For Brian, it was love at first sight.  He told me that his friend had to kick his chair when class started at IUPUI because he couldn’t take his eyes off of her as she spoke.  Through tutoring sessions, it was clear that they were meant to be in that classroom five years ago.  Their love blossomed, and he proposed to beautiful Militza on the beach in Puerto Rico, while they were visiting her family in December 2015.  In just a few short days, they’ll be getting married under a big tree and cafe lights, while starting another incredible chapter of their lives together.  Militza and Brian are two of the sweetest, kindest, life-loving people!  Brian served in the U.S. Navy years ago – thank you so much for your dedication to our country!  They incorporated many personal elements in their engagement session – like Brian’s love of the Cubs, flags of the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Militza’s love of teaching and dance, and the very classroom that changed the course of their lives! During their session, Brian would whisper into Militza’s ear, and she would laugh and smile and light up everything around her.  This energy and charisma captured Brian’s heart, and he said she has that special gift… That way of drawing people in, of sharing joy and love and happiness.  And Brian is the person that makes her shine the most!  Ohhh, friends, it’s just the sweetest thing to witness!  We had – not one, but two! – perfect summer evenings for their engagement session, and it was so fun to hang out with these two so much before their wedding day!  M + B, I’m so excited for your big day!!!  I can’t thank you enough for inviting to me be a part of it!

 

What a perfect early autumn evening we had for this sweet engagement session!  Due to the nature of their professional lives, their names are being withheld for the sake of privacy.  Let’s just call them insanely handsome and gorgeous and beaming from inside out!  Fortunately, they didn’t hold back when it came to documenting this oh so exciting time in their lives together!  They strolled hand in hand, cuddled and nuzzled, shared sweet nothings, laughed and smiled, and I couldn’t have asked for more!  Especially with the warm glow we had all session long!  Let’s not overlook their incredible style, as you’ll soon see!  And I got to meet their dapper pup!  To say he was a charmer for the camera would be an understatement!  We were fast friends, and I secretly think he wished he could have been in the spotlight all evening!  I have more than a few favorites from our time together, so let’s get right to them!  Get excited for their Spring wedding…I know I am counting down the days!