Amber & Justin / A Central Florida Engagement

I started talking to Amber and Justin at the beginning of the year when Amber (a bit of a photographer herself) had spotting my work and fallen in love (btw-I love to hear this type of stuff.) We swiftly worked out the details for me to photograph their August nuptials and started to pick dates for an engagement session that would tell their love story; from the first informal date at a FSU baseball game (a mutual love) to their first formal date that involved an ice cream parlor visit (another mutual love, seriously I witness these two scarf down a sundae in no time) to a lake side, mid-run proposal in a grassy field. I couldn't wait! And then the Florida spring time rain came and every time we had a shoot scheduled the heavens decided to bless us with a torrential down pour. every. time. When we got rained out (for the about fifth time) just before I left for a missions trip to Mexico we decided to try for one last attempt at a pre-wedding shoot and planned for the Sunday I returned (less than a week from their wedding). And then we peered towards the sky all day and prayed. Alas...



Amber and Justin, I absolutely can't wait to spend the day with you two on Saturday as you begin your journey side-by-side, stepping forward in faith together.

A big thanks to one of my favorite places in Sebring, our adorable local ice cream parlor Banana Splits, for letting us take over the place for a bit on a Sunday afternoon. You guys are super sweet. And another big thank-you to our God for caring about those tiny details like perfecting patience and a little bit of sunshine after all the storms.

Amy + Travis / Engaged

When I had someone just recently ask why couples get engagement pictures it dawned on me that while most of my brides and grooms do opt for the engagement session, a.k.a. the e-sesh (I currently offer it for free when you book 8 or more hours of wedding coverage) most people may not understand the value. Here is what I tell them...

1) The e-sesh introduces the bride and groom to their photographer. So that come wedding day you've at the very least spent a bit of time with the person that follows you around all day for 8 or more hours with a camera all up in your personal business. You learn how I work. I learn how you two interact with each other and it gives me a glimpse into the dynamics of your relationship so that come wedding day I can better tell your unique story.

2) Getting in front of a camera is a bit awkward at first. I know this first hand. I am an awkward mess when I am on the other side of the camera. And it takes a little bit of time to get comfortable with it, comfortable with yourself and for the photographer to get some truly authentic captures. When you do an engagement sesh you can get that all out of the way in the first 20-30 mins. So on your wedding day, you know the "drill" and can enjoy your day without the awkwardness of being in front of your photographer's camera for the first time. It helps me to better capture the real you and ultimately enables me to tell your unique story.

3) You may have noticed a theme here, all of this boils down to telling your unique story. Every couple has one. I have seriously found myself in tears over re-tellings of the first exchange of words or the first text, the first date or how he proposed in the middle of a 4 mile run, the way you found yourself on the same path looking in the same direction and you have decided to continue the journey together as one. I love a love story. I love being able to take part in telling that story. And I love it when my brides and grooms open up and get creative about how we capture this part of their story through images. I seriously just went underwater with a couple in the same pool they had their first kiss (which was also underwater!) while they were on the high school swim team together (pics coming soon). And for Amy and Travis, the Hardee Highschool Football and Cheerleading coaches, they couldn't help but spend a part of our session at the football stadium while all decked out in their schools colors. It was a beautiful day. They even brought along their pup. And we captured their story in a way I never have before, because well it was a story unique to the pair. And for years to come they have a tangible, beautiful reminder (worth more than a thousand words, I hear) of where they were that moment in their lives when their individual journeys merged, their paths converged and they moved forward in faith together.

I am gearing up for the Wauchula nuptials of, the before mentioned, Amy and Travis this weekend and I thought I'd share with you all some of my favorites from our truly unique e-sesh last fall.