:: a+b = engaged ::

I'm on a roll!!! One might actually get fooled into thinking I've got it together these days (one would be wrong!). Well, I may not have it all, or anything really, together, but I'm certainly trying.

This past weekend I met this beautiful couple. It's pretty rare that I don't meet a couple, or at least the bride, before their engagement pictures, but this time it's just how it worked out. I generally get along with most people, but you never know...so I was thrilled when I met them and knew right away we'd work great together.

These two were best friends before they dated, and you can tell. There's an ease between them that you don't always see. They're so excited to get married and start that part of their lives together (with their furbaby, Tucker). How lucky that I get to go along for the ride!! I can't wait for their wedding later this year. We're going to have so much fun and get some AMAZING pics.

So, here's our adventure in Ellicott City. It was pretty crowded and kind of chilly, but I think we did pretty well!!

This corner of the city is where his family used to have a gas station...how cool is that?!?!

Yep...Tucker is pretty dang happy that his people are getting married!!! Just look at that smile!

I couldn't decide which picture to share (this one or the next one)...so why not just share both!

:: from senior to bride ::

I'm sure I've mentioned it 1000 times before, but I am so very fortunate to be able to make connections with people through my job and then be able to follow them through their life's journeys. The other great thing is that my work is different every year. Some years I have more families than anything else. Other years it's high school seniors, and, like this year, sometimes it's weddings.

I met this beautiful bride several years ago when I photographed her senior pictures. She was and is just a joyful, sweet, ball of light that you can't help but be happy around. When she asked me to photograph her wedding, I couldn't have been happier. It truly warmed my heart to know that she wanted me to be a part of her most special day (so far!). I met her and her husband-to-be for engagement pictures and could instantly see how perfect they are for each other. I know that sounds hokey, but it's absolutely true!

Get ready for a lot of pictures!!!

Engagement ::

Wedding time :: 

And how's this for awesome...two of my former seniors! 

(please excuse my end of the night, been running around like a crazy person all day look)

Venue | Antrim 1844

Second Photographer | Amy Vanicky Photography

DJ | Aaron with Wizer Productions

Florist | Blossom and Basket Boutique

Bakery | Stone House Cakery and Cafe

Dress | K & B Bridals

:: brandi - warrior princess ::

I truly believe that people come into your life for a reason. Sometimes it's not apparent at the time, and sometimes it just smacks you upside the head. I met this fierce woman through a program which matches up photographers with families going through a cancer battle. I got paired with Brandi and I couldn't be more thankful. She is truly amazing, as is her adoring, supportive husband and their Miss Independence three year old daughter. Brandi exudes positivity and strength. If I didn't know she was sick, I wouldn't know. She is sweet and loving and happy and in the past year has been in a battle for her life. I asked her if she would mind sharing her story...an increasingly common one...so that others can be inspired and know they're not alone. Here's her story, in her words...

"On October 22 2018 I received the call that all my tests came back positive for breast cancer.  I was 37 years old and my daughter was 2.5, no family history and all genetic testing was clear.  I was 1 out of 8 women who will receive this diagnosis due to environmental conditions. It was a whirlwind of calls and appointments scheduled and on November 22 2018, I had a double mastectomy surgery to remove the cancer as well as a lymph node dissection to be sure for clear margins. On January 3rd 2019 I started my first chemotherapy treatment along with 5 more after that every 3 weeks.  I completed my treatments in May but would then go on to 28 days of radiation and finishing out 2019 with two targeted infusions. I will receive my last infusion on Jan 9th 2020!  

Your life and experience and expectations of how things are supposed to be really does change and it alters every aspect of your life.  Your health is something that should never be taken for granted and even though I am what I think to be one of the "lucky ones", the rest of my life will be filled with appointments, a hopefully manageable level of anxiety and fear and an overwhelming amount of faith and grace to be able to live my days I was given to their fullest."

One of the things I've learned over my many years is that you never know what someone else is going through. Most people don't live their lives with full transparency. It's not our business to know everyone else's, but it is our responsibility to be kind and giving and loving to those who cross our paths. Everyone is dealing with something in their life. Everyone. 

Thank you, Brandi, for sharing your story. I am beyond grateful to now count you as a friend and, even though I've not known you long, I'm so proud of your courage and strength. 

brushing off the dust

Well, well, well...

Bet you didn't expect to hear from me! I can't believe it's been almost 3 years. Not quite sure what my issue is with this whole blog thing, but like I've said many times before, I'm going to try and get moving with it again. I figured THIS wedding was definitely the one to start with...I mean, how can you go wrong with a destination wedding in St. Lucia??? The answer is, you can't.

{WARNING :: THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG ONE!}

I met this beautiful bride a few years ago when I shot her parents' 30th anniversary vow renewal. That day, I knew I was dealing with a special group. Last year they reached out with a special request...Chelsea was planning a destination wedding sometime this year, but the groom's grandmother was not going to be able to travel all that way, so they wanted to do something special. Something just for her. So her mother pulled out her dress from 1986, which happened to fit Chelsea PERFECTLY, and she and Mike went to the courthouse with his grandmother for a ceremony just with her. She and I were the only ones in there with them as they said their first "I do". It was amazingly special and thoughtful. I normally get teary at some point during a wedding, but I felt like it was the entire time as I watched his grandmother beam with pride at the love and commitment on display.

Several months after this ceremony, they reached back out to me to see if I'd be interested in traveling with them to St. Lucia for their second ceremony with their families. Yeah, that was not a difficult decision to make! So plans were set for our December to remember. It was a very small group. In total (including me) there were 11 people. Not for one second did I feel like a vendor or an outsider. This amazing group of humans made me feel like one of their own and included me in everything they did (to include ziplining!! Not something I ever thought I'd do!!). By the time the day came for the actual ceremony, we'd already spent 3 days together. It was magical. Being able to photograph these people who I've come to adore, in a setting that was completely different from any wedding I've ever done, was so special. These families truly love each other and I'm so lucky to have been able to capture that. 

it's wedding time!!!

Congratulations, Mr & Mrs!!

pretty sure a rainbow on your wedding day is a great sign!!