Family Photos: for the Bride

During our consultation before the wedding, I always talk to my brides about the importance of family photos in natural light. And time. These photos are meaningful and something that they will cherish as the years go on. I want to capture the emotion of the wedding day while keeping things relaxed and moving. Because no one wants to stand out in the heat for hours taking family pictures.

I usually allow 30 minutes to photograph the family as a whole, starting with the entire family on the bride's side and then removing the layers until we are left with just mom and dad. I then begin adding the grooms side until we have the whole family in the photo again. And if the bride and groom have siblings, I make sure to get a photo with them as well. 

I am so very thankful for my brides. They trust me to capture those precious memories and I am thrilled to be part of their day.

My workspace.

I was in middle school when my parents brought it into my room. The shelves were on the left side and there was a place for a keyboard right below the white top. a desk. my desk. I remember feeling so proud. I was going to organize like a crazy person. Maybe even color code my school notebooks. I could put little tags on the binding with the names of the classes and just pull them out when I needed to study. at my desk. 

When Isaac and I moved to St Louis and I made the switch into being a full time photographer, I knew I was going to need a dedicated workspace. Instead of letting my job leak into the rest of our home. Because I am a passionate person. And if I bring that laptop downstairs to respond to emails or work on a project I will not stop. I am so thankful for my little office. With a window that overlooks the trees and the light that seems to dance during the day... I can now keep my work at work. And color code. I can do that too.

taking one step back

I walked away from Nate & Larissa's wedding feeling so blessed. Because I shared in an incredibly special day and because I felt so loved by them both and their family. And because I walked away from the day as a better photographer. Not because I was in charge of photographing the day, but because I took a step back and I remembered why I love doing what I do.

Yes, I am so blessed.

Being a Bridesmaid

We met at a retreat about a year ago and we just clicked. She said a proposal was coming soon and after seeking the Lord, she knew this was the way He was leading her. And she was so very happy about it. She is so genuine and passionate about life. About her King. Because she really wants to give Him Glory and follow Him endlessly. It's a beautiful thing to watch. 

Just a few days before her wedding, we sat in a quaint restaurant just down the road from her childhood home and listened to each other talk about life and jewelry and her wedding. She told me about the little details. The details that would make someone cry and the details that might would someone smile. She is just that kind of girl... sentimental and kind and loving.

Larissa, I am so blessed by you and thankful that God brought us together. Keep your eyes set on Him and let His love continue to flow through your life. You are so loved. And so very lovely. We love you guys!

 bachelorette party. with the cutest umbrellas for our Sprite.

Larissa, you are so GORGEOUS.

rehearsal...

and then finally, the day of the wedding :)

and since it was also her birthday, her grandfather called to sing to her...

gorgeous friends.

look at that HAIR!!! I LOVE IT!

handmade bouquets...

and the most adorable wedding invitation...

love.

and then just a couple minutes before we went down the aisle.

I stood on the other side of the aisle and watched the doors open. Larissa is getting married. She's getting married. And a flood of happiness hit me because I felt so blessed to stand by her with a bouquet in my hands and hear them say I do.

If you want to see the wedding when the pictures hit facebook, be sure to follow Haley Enlow HERE. :) You were fantastic Haley!

Things that smell good.

I looked around on my way home from school and enjoyed the walk. Our home was just a few doors down from the Primary School and I was finally old enough to walk home by myself. I thought 6 years old made you practically grown up because I could also ride my bike without training wheels. 

I stepped through the door and I could smell the fresh loads of laundry that had probably taken my mom quite a bit of time. And cookies. Fresh, warm cookies for me and Jaelyn. I told her all about my day and watched full house until it was time to help my mom. The smell of laundry and cookies started some of my favorite memories in my childhood home.

I am so thankful for my mom. She taught me the value of reading God's Word. And she taught me how to add softener to a load of laundry and how to set the oven to bake cookies. I am so incredibly thankful for her. And because of my mom, I always use softener. Always.

left to right:

1) Snuggle Fabric Softener: this makes your clothes crazy soft and it smells soooooo good.

2) Bed Head Tigi After Party: I love to use this after I hairspray or blow-dry my hair. It smoothes away all the crazy hair. And it smells good.

3) Suave Dry Shampoo: spray some of this in your hair to give it body and soak up/prevent oils. And it smells good!

4) Garnier Fructis Triple Nutition: I love to spray some of this in my hair and let it air-dry. Shiny. And it smells good :)

And yes, in case you were wondering, I like things that smell good.