Chase and Lindsey were married last month. I have had the joy in knowing both of them since last fall and, as per usual, have just fallen in love with Lindsey. It was exciting to be a part of their union and witness the love and committment they made to each other.

there's a part of the wedding day when the bride is completely dressed and ready to go. this is my favorite part of the day. there's excitement. nerves. anticipation. and complete happiness.

they wrote each other letters. lindsey's letter was addressed to

"the LOVE of my life"

WAHOO!!!

to the new couple: i cannot begin to explain how much i adore the two of you and will be forever thankful for this opportunity. you have both been such a blessing and highlight in my career and life. i can't wait to see where the road in life takes you! congratulations again and again!

enjoy your slideshow below:

this family has become very near and dear to my heart. i have been photographing their son, Noah, for almost a year now and have become very attached to them! Recently they moved away and i was sad to see them go, but have no doubt in my mind that we'll still keep in touch!

before they rolled out of town in their moving truck, we got together for a family session and for noah's 9 months session.

gah. i think this is my favorite. but really, they're all my favorites.

and i have to give credit where credit is due when i copy someone else's work. My friend, and fellow 'tog, Rebecca-Linh gave me the idea for this photo when she posted this one

noah makes the best faces ever. exhibit A

exhibit B

and C

maybe he gets it from his daddy????

to the FOUR of you... i am so happy to be friends with you and am already missing you so much! i can't wait to see you again in a few weeks and wish you all the best there!!! thanks for all the great smiles and memories (and coffee and donuts since you make me get up at the crack of dawn for your sessions) and for having so much trust in me! i appreciate our friendship and can't wait to witness your lives!! many thanks for this past year!

i'm really excited about today's wedding!

there will be a Little Debbie Wedding Cake, CREPES, lots of McNutts running around... and then ... there's this girl. the girl that makes me giddy and silly and smiley. the "ear to ear" kind of smiley!

sadie... you are stunning!

check out the chucks!

i can't wait to share their wedding with you! but for now, i'm heading out of town again to shoot their wedding! weeeee!

As i walked into the bride's room at the church, AnneMarie stood from her chair and handed me a gift bag! I will never forget how big she smiled and how calm and serene she seemed. I pulled out tissue paper (while ooing and ahhhing) to find a beautiful canvas painting that read "you are forever blessed"

and believe you me... i am! and there is not a day that goes by that i don't feel blessed in my career by my clients, their lives, their stories, and their hearts.

when i first met AnneMarie i was touched by her generosity and soul. I knew i was meeting someone that would forever change the way i see things in life.

Cade and AnneMarie's wedding day did not fall short of my expectations. I cannot even begin to tell you how many times their patience, strength, and hope was tested in preparation for their wedding day. Amidst moving, buying a home, finding a new job, relocating, living in two different cities, and even family losses, these two continued with the celebration of their love for one another.

When i mentioned to Cade's mother how much strength they had and how awesome they were, she said "We have an awesome family. Awesome friends!" and Cade's father said "and we have an awesome God!"  ... how amazing is that?

and the reason i share all of this with you before showing you their photos is to tell you that if ever i have witnessed a true celebration of love enduring all things... it was at this wedding. If ever i should doubt the power or strength of love, of God, of grace, of pure FAITH... i can revisit this wedding... and believe again.

AnneMarie's hairstylist had double booked and wasn't able to come out to do her hair. this didn't stress her one bit. the rest of us were a ball of nerves, but she just said "well... " and then her bridesmaid stepped up and did ALL the girls' hair!

the dresses needed additional alterations and one of the girls stepped up and played "seamstress"

Cade and  AnneMarie saw each other before the wedding.   what was different about it this time was that it wasn't a "first look"  based on the premise of having time for more photos. it was  their "quiet time" with each other before the wedding. they talked so sweetly and quietly. 

double the fun:

at the end of the night,  AnneMarie serenaded Cade!!!

to the new couple: first of all... i am truly thankful to have been given this opportunity. to be a very small part of this new journey in your lives. to be blessed to have met the two of you and to be surrounded briefly by your family and friends. I know you are acutely aware of the amount of love and support that is bestowed upon the two of you. i am truly honored to have been a witness and another fan of your union! thank you thank you thank you! Enjoy your slideshow below or watch it in it's own window here

a few weeks ago, i photographed Jacob's one year portraits.  this baby is a complete HAM for the camera. it was so cute to see him play it up!

i wanna be a kid again. so that simple things like BUBBLES can make my world a happy place!

what did i tell you about being a ham??

and then we brought out the cake!!!

this is my most favorite:

melanie! thank you so much for welcoming me into your sweet home and life for the afternoon! i genuinely had a great time chatting and enjoying the hot sun! thank you for having me photograph this very special milestone for jacob!!!