It was a typical Midwestern summer day, however, aside from the heat and humidity, it was a gorgeous afternoon!  I met Kelly and Scott for portraits with their beloved 4-legged friends, who are just the sweetest and most laid-back bunch ever! After returning the dogs home and a quick wardrobe change, we were off to capture Kelly and Scott before their Big Day in just a few short weeks!  These two are smitten with each other, and I loved watching them make each other laugh and smile.  Scott supports Kelly with everything she wants to accomplish in life.  He makes her gorgeous blue eyes sparkle even brighter when he pulls her in close.  They met through a shared love of the game of golf.  In April 2013, they went to the Masters golf tournament in Georgia.  It just so happened that Kelly’s Mom was traveling with them, privy to the secret proposal in store for her daughter.  And as you might guess, Kelly said Yes!  Kelly and Scott, it was so wonderful to spend some time with you both!  I am so excited for your wedding day!  Family and friends can view their entire online gallery here.  And now for some favorites from the day!

Ohhhh…this couple!  Where do I begin?  First, they are just so adorable together!  Second, they are totally and completely smitten with each other.  Third, my camera just loved them, and so did I!  It just so happens that I photographed Shelby’s senior portraits a few summers ago.  I was so excited when she contacted me a few months ago mentioning that she would love to have some portraits of her and her boyfriend, Cody.  We agreed to wait for spring weather so we could get outside.  And what perfect spring weather we had the day of their session!  We couldn’t have asked for a better day!

These two met where they work, and enjoy spending their free time hanging out with family and friends, shopping and strolling around various parts of the city together.  They make each other smile and laugh, which was truly so fun to document.  Shelby and Cody are genuine, sweet, funny, and easy-going, and easy on the eyes.  Their love and happiness was a joy to capture, and I have so many favorites from our evening session.  Friends and family can view their entire online gallery here.

They met through eHarmony, after much searching for their perfect match.  She was drawn to his warm smile, and things just clicked when they met in person after communicating back and forth for several weeks.  Jen and Ryan soon learned that they had many things in common.  This pair loves adventure and exploring and trying new things, like a Moroccan restaurant and rock climbing.  Together they enjoy the outdoors, check out local eateries, sample craft beers, and share tiramisu.  How could I not just love them after hearing one of their favorite desserts is also my favorite!

When I first met Jen and Ryan back in December, I could feel their spark.  As they chatted excitedly about their wedding day plans, they stole loving glances and made each other laugh, and I listened and watched, no doubt with a smile on my face.  As luck would have it, I’ll be documenting their wedding day in July, and I cannot wait!

We planned their spring engagement session, and couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day.  Bright blue skies and delicate blossoms welcomed us and drew us in.  Jen and Ryan chose to have their engagement session at location that is very special to them.  Not only did they spend some of their first dates here, but this is also where Ryan proposed!  We went back to the very spot where he popped the question, where Jen said “Yes!“, where their love story starts a new and exciting chapter.  It was wonderful and magical, just like the two of them.  Jen and Ryan, thank you for sharing your story and your hearts with me, and for making this day so meaningful and fun!  Enjoy some favorites from the day!  Friends and family can view their entire gallery here.

Their paths crossed through a mutual friend who knew they would be a perfect match.  And they’re just that, a perfect match.  He’s got this way of making her smile that, in turn, makes him melt.  She knows how to make him laugh, prompting witty banter followed by more laughter.  Jen and Andy are engaged, and I’m so honored to be  the one to document this special time in their lives.  Last June, Andy took Jen on a weekend getaway, where they stayed in a beautiful cabin by the lake.  Little did Jen know that the man of her dreams would ask to her spend forever with him on their last night under a starlit sky.  They are planning a fabulous wedding this October, and I cannot wait!

What makes this couple even more special to me is that Andy is my cousin.  We’ve grown up going on vacations to Florida, taking trips to amusement parks, and countless games of hide-and-seek at Grandma’s house as the years have gone by.  While I won’t divulge some of the silly nicknames I had for my multi-talented, super-athletic younger cousin, I will say that I am so happy that he has found someone as sweet and wonderful as Jen to share life with.  Jen and Andy, I’m beyond honored and thrilled that you’ve invited me to document your Big Day!  And without further adieu, please enjoy a few favorites from Part 1 of their fun and beautiful engagement session!  Friends and family can view their entire online gallery here.

I always enjoy looking back over the previous year’s images.  Not only to relive fun and beautiful moments, but also to see how far I’ve come in this photography journey of mine.  One of the things I love about my job is that there is always something to learn, something to experiment with, something to challenge me.  Most of all, I love that I get to meet and work with such wonderful couples and their families during one of the most important times in their lives.  It is truly an honor, and I’m so thankful to be chosen to document the occasion.  And now for some – ok, many! – of my favorites images from 2012, in no particular order.