Cassie & David: Engaged!

Adorably sweet, and thirty three days away from marriage, Cassie and David's love for one another bounces between them, while their sweet words, laughter and smiles leave happy impressions on the lives they touch. It's a true love, pure happiness, unbelievably natural and so right. These two have known one another forever, David being one of Cassie's brother's best buddies. (He even admitted to a hint of nervousness at divulging his feelings for Cassie to his friend). They both agree- their togetherness just happened. I love a good, simple love story. Their wedding will, undoubtedly, be a beautiful, blessed beginning!

We shot their engagement photos at Homestead Park, on the hottest day of the year (so far!). They were such good sports, we had a great time! (And just to give David some pre-husband brownie points, he toughed out the heat and my girly ideas with answers such as, Whatever Cassie wants to do is A-Ok by me!)

It was difficult to narrow down the selection to include here, they are both SO photogenic, and make a gorgeous couple!

She is going to make a stunning bride!

A personal favorite. THIS is love.

Nugget & Friends

My little nugget of a sister, Emily, is having her graduation party with two of her friends, Rianne and Quinn. We had a shoot a couple weeks ago with the intent of choosing a photo for their invitation. We did the entire shoot at my parents' house, and in the late afternoon sun, the lighting was perfect. I mean golden perfect. It didn't hurt to have three gorgeous girls as my subjects either. As I snapped, they laughed. And laughed. All attending different colleges in the fall, it's easy to see it's the simple happiness in their friendship that will keep them forever close at heart. And knowing them, they'll be texting one another sarcastic messages every day they're away.

I finally did a few things right on this shoot. Things I've been working on, but not quite achieving. The most obvious also makes me the happiest, because the effect is just so beautiful, when done correctly. When I first tried to backlight my subject a few weeks ago, I didn't expect it to be so tough. But between the light and the subject constantly moving, it was throwing me for a total loop! In the semi-shade of my parents' yard, all three girls were sitting on a stone ledge, and couldn't move locations, which allowed me to play until I finally got the shot! I will now be taking every subject, at every shoot, to my parents' yard, to sit on that very ledge. Kidding. Well, kinda.

Congrats to my baby seester, her friends, and Class of 2010. Y'all are a great bunch, even if you make me feel like I should be receiving my AARP card in the mail any day now!

College girls! OU, Maryland and Miami bound!

Introducing.. Mr. Sprinkle

Matt and I love being at home. In a place we dreamed of, and made come true. We laugh and daydream constantly. Of what our family will be like, of our goals, of where we'd like to travel someday. And of continued happiness, hand-in-hand, with, God willing, little hands between us. Of the big things we all dream of. And in Naples FL last month, while watching Randi and Josh dance their first dance as husband and wife, a new dream was born.

I was standing, camera in hand, trying to get the shot I was envisioning. I was frustrated; the sun had set, and I was trying to manhandle my flash onto my camera, in my bridesmaid's dress, with my unruly hair blowly around my face erractically. Matt called me over to a spot across the pool, between two huge flower arrangements. As he's beckoning me over with full arm waves, I remember scrunching my nose, thinking this wasn't going to help me. Not one little bit. But he's cute, so I followed him. And he was right. So right. Not only did I get the shot I wanted, (although a wee bit too dark and noisy- but hey, I'm still learning!) a conversation began. And what began as a suggestion, ended with a confession on the part of my cute husband. A little nagging sensation was gradually growing louder in the depths of his heart. He was starting to feel the same passion that I couldn't ignore a few short months ago. One involving a big black box, and a whole lot of learning. I only had one word for him: YAAAAAYYYY!

So in the spirit of love and marriage, we have decided to dive in to this together. Husband and wife duo. And while our life is busy, and unscripted, we are determined to make time for this. In this moment, we're perfectly content on this path, and we've chosen to run together. Thus far, we really only know three things for sure- ( 1 ) We love each other, ( 2 ) we're quickly becoming obsessed with photography, and ( 3 ) it's bound to be a wild ride!

See why I followed him?

Local Fare

A total dive. Loud locals. Even louder tourists. Packed tables. A guy strumming his guitar in the corner, in board shorts and flip flops, covering Jimmy Buffet songs. The salty sea breeze swirls its way through the laughing patrons. Smokin. Oyster. Brewery. SOB, as our new beer koozies call it. YUM. An enthusiastic wait staff, bustling about, keeping boat drinks and local beers on every table, in every hand. Feeling free to sway to the music. To sing off key. Sitting across the table from Panama Jack himself, my suntanned better half, complete with croakies attached to his sunglasses and a black and mild behind his ear, with an absolutely gigantic grin plastered on his face. Anticipation of a huge, delicious meal, fresh from the day's catch. You couldn't keep us away from this place if you paid us. It was like Christmas morning, for adult beach lovers. There's something magical about spending the day collecting seashells, playing in the refreshing water of an endless ocean, followed by eating entirely with your hands. I love a restaurant that not only allows, but encourages, ridiculous messes. Matt tried their house beer, brewed on site, heavy and dark. Not so much my style, but every bit his. I indulged in the single greatest margarita my tastebuds have ever experienced. Maybe it was the reality of that moment, maybe we were delirious from our day at the beach, or watching the setting sun, splashing orange and pinks and reds all over our backdrop. Whatever it is, I'm convinced that all boat drinks are better when consumed by the ocean.

We began with smoked fish dip. Mmm. I mean, we began with Heaven and crackers. Then came the main event. Steamed shrimp and Dungeness crab legs, caught not more than a mere hundred feet from where we were sitting, and loaded with garlic.

This was one of those meals where I actually felt pangs of sadness at its conclusion. Spoken like a true fat kid at heart, huh? We laughed, and drank and ate. Oh boy, did we eat! And as the last bit of orange faded against the calm, navy blue waters, the first cords of Kenny Chesney's "Guitars and Tiki Bars" began, and I looked across the table, toasted Panama Jack, and breathed a sigh of peace. Then we laughed at each other because we had food all over our faces.

You can't quite see it here, but beyond Matt's feet is the ocean. Talk about a view! (Excuse the photo quality, as both of these photos were taken with my point and shoot. But you get the idea, vacation's vacation, after all!)

Toes in the Sand: Randi & Josh's Wedding!

I watched my beautiful best friend calmly apply mascara as the wind whipped the waves onto the beach outside. In a few hours, she'd be a Mrs. Josh's Mrs. And so much more. When you've known someone your whole life, they become like a secondary sibling. You come to understand them, and they, you. Randi's wedding day was an emotional one. To say it was sweet is the understatement of the year. These two are the most loving, adorable couple. They met, and instantly knew they were meant for another. We met Josh for the first time two years ago at a Halloween party. He was dressed as a nerd with a wedgie, suspenders, and short pants. I knew upon seeing him, he'd fit right in. I was right.

Their wedding, from start to finish, was bursting at the seams with love. The personal touches, the tearful speeches, and the view itself created the perfect backdrop for these two to begin their journey as husband and wife. They were married in front of fifty of their closest family and friends, on the gorgeous beach of Sancerre, in Naples, FL, at her grandparents' home. She didn't want to cry, and all of us girls secretly hoped Josh would. When Canon in D began, she emerged through the gate with her dad, and my eyes, instinctively, wandered to my left. Josh's face lit up, and as I watched him tear up ever so slightly, they both had gigantic grins on their faces. This dream they had created was in the middle of coming true. And it was beautiful. It was one of the most peaceful moments of my life. Standing among friends, the wind tossing salty air under the alter, made of bamboo, greenery and white sashes billowing to each side, there was just so much love. The sound of the waves, just steps away, and with it, the day's random beach goers gathering close to witness a beginning, and to see the most breathtakingly beautiful bride.

Josh and Ran, you both have such warm, giving, happy hearts. We love you both with all of ours. We SO enjoyed soaking in every second of your beach wedding, and are totally willing to return to Naples every April to celebrate your anniversary. Just sayin! ;)

Now you see where she gets it, the beautiful mama-of-the-bride!

What did I tell you? Stunning.

One of my favorites.

My dude, beyond happy to be on vacation, celebrating love!

Thanking everyone for making the trip, a.k.a. the fourth time I cried that day!

I handed off my camera to get these next two, so I could be in a couple photos with some of my best friends!

Remember this next photo. It's significant in my photography adventure. I'll have a post up soon to share!

Since I was one of Randi's bridesmaids, Matt shot this next set of photos. With my point and shoot. While videotaping the entire ceremony for her aunt at the same time. He's kind of a natural, huh? Stay tuned for more on that. We have a new dream a-cookin!