365 Days of Love: Melissa + Zach

Mary Fields Photography

365 is the number. Love is the measurement. 365 Days of Love that is. That’s what this sweet couple celebrated recently and I was privileged to document it.

Zach and Melissa’s love for each other is so clear. They met in Missouri in 2007 at a coffee shop and dated for a short time before their paths took separate turns. She headed overseas and he stayed put. About a year later, those paths reunited in Dallas, TX coincidentally…or maybe not so coincidentally because you see, they were meant to be. He proposed in 2010 and they married in 2011. Now, a year after they said their ‘I Do’s,’ they are still celebrating their love.

Wanting to keep track of all their adventures together in the years to come, they decided to do an anniversary shoot each year that commemorated something special about that particular year of marriage. Yep, LOVE that! When they contacted me with the idea I was more than onboard. We met early in the morning to escape the summer heat and had such a blast! Since this was their first year together, their first apartment was particularly special so we made that our location. Being a sentimental addict, I loved this idea. We spent the morning doing things they enjoy doing together and simply celebrating their first 365 days of love.

Enjoy some of my favorites from the shoot!

Happy Friday!

Melissa made these awesome little flags and got Sprinkles Cupcakes which are to die for. Really.

There are some great walking trails around their apartment and they love taking walks together. It made for a beautiful first spot.

Mary Fields Photography

Melissa…you are beautiful.

If you are planning a wedding this is a fabulous idea. They had their wedding guests write them a card at the wedding for them to open on their 1 year anniversary. What a fun idea!

Yeah, this light was too good to be true.

Favorite.

Mary Fields Photography

They love to cook together so we headed to their kitchen and did some early morning baking. SO fun.

They also love to drink coffee so these were a fun gift. Seriously awesome mugs.

We then headed out to the porch to take some pics with this cute sign. Love it.

Love and coffee. Can it get better?

They both also love to read together which I greatly admire. I need to read more…

Yep, another fav. The light made me get really giddy. If you are a past client, you know what that looks like!

Married! And loving it!

With the summer sun coming up in full blaze, they were troopers and headed out for just a few more. Love this tree.

ONE YEAR!!! I told them they needed to close every anniversary shoot incorporating something that represented the year they were celebrating. This one was easy. 25 may be a little more difficult!

Love in the Park: Lauren + Devin

Where South Versailles meets Lomo Alto, there is a quaint little park. You may not even notice it if you were to simply drive by but if you stop and take a moment, you’d fall in love with it. Love was a key part of that park a few weeks ago when I hid behind some bushes and secretly photographed the proposal of my dear friends Lauren and Devin. As bystanders walked by giving me strange looks, I just waved them on doing my best to communicate that I wasn’t a creeper. It was all worth it too as I look at these images and think of what a special day it was!

I was there when they met. I had just moved to town and was visiting her at the seminary she attended. Little did she know, he had been crushing on her since the beginning of the semester but they had yet to meet. She was the pretty blonde in his morning class that he really wanted to get to know. So, at chapel that afternoon, some of his friends very craftily schemed to get a group together for dancing that night. The world would be lacking if it weren’t for wing men. Along for the ride, we all headed to Fort Worth. With the two of them in the front seat, conversation flowed and a date was proposed. Seven months later, with me in the bushes, he proposed something much more significant. A life together. Without hesitation, she of course said yes.

Lauren and Devin, I am SO very excited for you both and can’t wait to see what lies ahead for you as a couple. Devin, thanks for letting me be part of that special day! Lauren, thanks for being such a sweet friend! You made my transition to Dallas so much fun and much easier than it should have been!

Enjoy some of my favorite shots from the proposal!

Happy Friday!

Love is In the Air: Beth + Tommy

It’s funny the places life takes you. There are people that come into your life early on and through life’s twists and turns, they remain. Our families grew up together. There were four girls in our family and three in their’ s. We were all the same age though because we cheated with twins. Both families found their church home at a little church downtown that met in an old theatre. It was simple…VERY simple…and there weren’t very many of us. However, one thing was true. We were a family. The church was called Believers Fellowship and that’s exactly what it was. A fellowship of believers. We loved each other dearly, did life together and literally grew together. Beth is the eldest of their three girls but we were close enough in age to still cross paths quite often. I have pictures of us at church picnics with us all in crazy costumes. We even spent a hot summer in Tyler, TX together as we both prepared to go overseas on a mission trip in high school. Oh the stories we could tell of life in our small town in Oklahoma.

Over the years Beth and I have kept up and managed to still cross paths every now and then even though our lives have led us all over. In many ways I attribute my interest in photography to her. She used to always take her camera everywhere and take snapshots of daily life. We’d sit at the bottom of my steps in the house I grew up in, talking until late at night with all our friends. I remember she’d just pull out her camera every once in a while and take a snap shot. “I want to do that someday,” I’d think to myself. And thanks to her inspiration, that someday has come.

I was thrilled when Beth called me a few months ago and told me that she was engaged! She and Tommy had met at a work Christmas party and hit it off immediately. Unfortunately, they were based in different cities but that didn’t stop them, love was in the air. It didn’t take long for these two to realize they wanted to be together forever. We met up in downtown Frisco, TX for their engagements and had a BLAST! With Beth being a photographer herself, she practically read my mind the whole session! Oh what a dream. On top of that, their love for one another was so evident that I didn’t even have to try to instruct them. They did it all on their own! Again, oh what a dream.

Beth and Tommy, thanks so much for letting me be part of your engagement season! I had so much fun on our session and can’t thank you enough for trusting me to the point of traipsing around in wheat fields and old, run down, snake-ridden barns. I am so excited for your September wedding and your future together! Beth, thanks for the years of horrible costumes, overseas trips, youth group, staircase talks, candid photos and friendship! Here’s to many more years of crossed paths!

Enjoy some of my favorites of their session!

Happy Thursday!

Happy 🙂

Mary Fields Photography

Beth insisted she wasn’t very good at what I call the ‘Sasha Fierce’ look. I beg to differ. Those eyes are too beautiful to describe…

Um…yeah. In love with this one. Such happy faces.

Looking good Tommy. Lookin good.

See what I mean about those eyes? Gorgeous.

They brought the coolest wine classes with them that they bought in Eureka Springs, AR where they are getting married. I want them…

Yep, this light was a dream. Yummy light.

Tommy served in the United States Marine Corps so I loved that they brought these for the shoot. How often we forget the sacrifice so many give us. Thank you Tommy for fighting for our country and our freedom. Words cannot adequately express our gratitude.

Proud of her man!

So, I drove past a wheat field recently and decided it would be a dream to shoot in. Thankfully, my clients trust me enough to go where I ask…and I hope they think its worth it because I sure do! We ventured off into the unknown of this field…which was pretty high. They were such troopers though and let me be a little crazy. I LOVE the result though so maybe my craziness pays off…

The fact that the moon is in this shot is just icing on the cake.

So…no word except Favorite.

Ok so another favorite. You can never have too many.

Bring those awesome wine glasses out again…of course.

The benefit of shooting in a wheat field in North Texas: There just happens to be a really cool old abandoned barn across the street. Ok…awesome.

I think they are in love or something…

The Unbreakable Vow: Tiffany + Michael

On September 23rd, 2007 they began their relationship. They had grown up together but had never really crossed paths until mutual friends introduced them their senior year of high school. The first thing she noticed about him were his ‘gorgeous green eyes.’ The first thing he noticed about her were her ‘gorgeous green eyes.’ A match made in heaven.

On September 23rd, 2010, exactly four years after they began dating, he knelt to the ground and asked her to marry him. After a long night of her wishing it was indeed ‘the night,’ he started to take her home and she had given up hope. By the time he surprised her with a gazebo-front proposal, she was so speechless she could only nod in acceptance.

On September 23, 2012 they will become husband and wife and make an unbreakable vow.

Tiffany and Michael have a sweet love story marked by tradition and celebration and I am so honored that they would allow me to be there on that special 9/23. We had a blast shooting their engagements in the Bishop Arts District and they were such troopers as I had them running around all over the place. Not only did they endure my giddiness due to all kinds of ‘yummy light’, but they were champs as we endured a patch of untimely rain. I stood shooting under an umbrella and they didn’t flinch. Can’t wait for these two to tie-the-knot in late September!

Enjoy some of my favorites of their shoot!

Happy Tuesday!

(When I asked Tiffany what she and Michael loved to do together, she said they love to read Harry Potter books. How fun is that. So of course we had to incorporate them into the shoot…duh. When she told me that there was a chapter entitled ‘The Unbreakable Vow’ I was beside myself. How fitting for this couple who are about to do just that! Love it. Maybe I need to pick me up a HP copy and start the series after all…)

I’d like to take credit for Michael’s awesome laugh here but I’m pretty sure his bride-to-be gets the glory. Wish I was that funny…

I can absolutely see why he noticed her eyes first. Beautiful.

Love this shot. Curbside romance.

We found this awesome green door in a random abandoned little nook of the district. I think some people would have looked at me like I was a nutcase but they just smiled and let me do my thing. I think it paid off. That green wall with her ‘gorgeous green eyes’ was dynamite.

He really liked it…

In the middle of the rain storm, this guy waived us inside to an unfinished store space he was working on and invited us to take some pics. He was thoughtful AND creative.

The rain was actually perfect timing for us to go inside a cute coffee shop in the Bishop Arts and break out the Harry Potter books. I love it when couples incorporate things that are special to them.

Once the rain stopped, we decided to move outside and utilize some of that wonderful post rain light. Heavenly.

This was definitely taken on a newspaper stand…oh macro how I love thee.

Girl…stop it with those eyes. You are gorgeous. Seriously.

It was about this time that I was doing my usual ‘yummy light meets great image’ squeal. Its a wonder my clients don’t turn me in as a crazo.

An Answered Prayer: Jessica + Reed Engagement

They met in March 2011. Jessica was being brought on to work for Global Aid Network, an organization that seeks to demonstrate the love of God to hurting and needy people around the world. Reed was working for them at the time but unfortunately, and as if to make the story that much better, it was his last week.  “We didn’t talk more than a mere exchange of words,” she said, “but I remember thinking he was cute and it was a shame he was leaving.” Fate would take care of this dilemma just a few months later however, as they reconnected at an engagement party for mutual friends. After talking at length and recognizing they would be attending the same seminary in the fall, Reed’s interest peaked and a plan began to form. Asking Jessica to coffee to ‘discuss seminary’ was a perfect way to learn more about this woman who had caught his attention. Four hours into the coffee date he got her number and their love story started.

Little did they know however, that God had been designing this match long before those lattes were ever served. You see, throughout their lives, God been developing in each of them a desire and a heart to reach the nations…separately. Reed had been praying for a spouse that would share his heart for missions, and the Lord delivered. Faithfully. He gave them each other to fulfill that desire…together. An answered prayer.

With a shared heart for the world, an ability to laugh together and a love that is undeniable, these two will tie the knot in September! I met Jessica at church my first Sunday in Texas and we immediately bonded over our shared love for photography. While being a wedding/portrait photographer herself, she is also pursuing a master’s in media communication so as to use her talents for humanitarian work. I was instantly challenged and encouraged by her heart to use photography to change lives. When she asked me to shoot their wedding I was incredibly honored! Their engagement shoot in downtown Dallas was a ton of fun and I can’t wait for September!

Reed and Jessica, thanks so much for letting me part of this season with you! It is clear that the Lord has brought you together to do great things for the nations. I can’t wait to see where He takes you together!

Happy Thursday!

Love these next two.

Jessica spent part of her life growing up in Dallas and she distinctly remembers this blue building. She would drive to church and always think of how intriguing it was. So, of course it made a perfect backdrop for our shoot.

Stunning. Seriously stunning.

We went downtown for the urban feel but I love these beautiful tall trees in the middle of downtown. Perfect.

Favorite. So content.

What an incredibly beautiful couple! I told Reed that he’s lucky he gets to look at those pretty blue eyes for the rest of his life…

Sweet moment.

I asked Jessica to fix his tie and in the middle of it she and I both discovered neither of us actually know how to tie a tie. I need to add that to my to do list. You never know when that will come in handy.

These red flowers outside the Myerson Symphony center were a perfect backdrop for our cloudy afternoon shoot.

I’m in love with this shot. Love.

Pure delight in the man that she loves.

When Jessica and I were discussing the shoot, she expressed that she really wanted to incorporate Sprinkles Cupcakes which of course was music to my ears. Any girl who loves her some cupcakes is a woman after my own heart. Without even meaning to, she got one white and one black…ironically very bride and groom-esque. I loved it!

Bling Blingitty.

As the sun began to set we headed over to the El Fenix restaurant where these two will have their rehearsal dinner. It has an A-mazing roof top patio for dining where you can see the Dallas skyline. Needless to say I was a kid in a candy shop!

Favorite.

Really Jessica, you made this easy.

Can you say money shot? For real, I can’t get enough of this.

Marriage.

So recent events have got me thinking. Marriage. What a wonderful word that can’t even begin to express the depth of what it really is. Having never had the privilege of sharing in such a union, I know that my understanding is limited. However, having also had the great privilege of witnessing some incredible examples of marriage, I feel confident enough to say that the unity of a man and woman is unlike anything else. It is precious. Special. Ordained. Refining. Intimate.

Sacred.

I believe in this unity and I am blessed to be able to be a witness to so many covenants. In the midst of the chaos, the exhaustion and the stress of my profession, I feel so honored to document that significant day when a bride looks to her groom and says, “I do.” It is that union that is worth celebrating because it is set out by God, His plan…not our own.

As wedding season continues on, in the midst of all my craziness, I am grateful today to so frequently be able to join in celebration as a groom and his bride join in perfect unity.

Happy Friday.

(Mary Fields Photography)

Childhood Friends to Soul Mates: Kori + Colin Engagement Photography

They’ve known each other their whole lives but it took 15 years of separation to turn into love. Their dads have been friends since junior high. When they were kids, their families would spend summer vacations together in Colorado. They hiked, fished and were just kids together but little did they know it was the foundation of something much bigger. Better. Sweeter. Something significantly more special. It was the foundation of their love story.

After 15 years of not seeing each other due to life and its demands, they reconnected last September. It was like they picked up where they left off…just good friends. This time, however, there was a spark. It didn’t take long for these two to realize they were meant to be more than just childhood playmates. ‘We were quickly inseparable,’ she told me. In a whirlwind romance that is movie worthy, to the great joy of their families, this sweet couple is set to be wed this fall!

In an even more fun twist, Kori and I grew up down the street from each other! I have a distinct memory of participating in a July 4th neighborhood parade together (parade meaning we decorated our bikes with streamers and balloons. We were that good), not to mention graduating high school alongside her at dear old PO-HI. Funny that I knew her when she was spending the summers with her future husband. When she asked me to do their engagements I was thrilled to have the chance to reconnect!

Kori and Colin, thanks so much for letting me share in your engagement season! Our session was so much fun! Colin, you seriously made me laugh way too much and the ranch was an amazing place to shoot! Wishing you both the best as your prepare for your wedding and life together!

Enjoy some of my favorites! We shot at Colin’s family’s ranch and it was BEAUTIFUL!!! Seriously, I was giddy.

Happy Tuesday!

This was one of the first shots I took and I knew it was going to be a good day.

Sweet.

Girl. Seriously beautiful.

They had to wear ‘Bean boots’ because it was muddy in the field. LOVE it.

Fav.

Took some ring shots while they were changing. Isn’t this bling beautiful!? Not to mention this was taken on a bull’s horn. Awesome.

Colin took me over to the stables and introduced me to all of the horses. What a fun setting and so fitting for him.

Rawr.

Probably one of my favorite shots ever. The kiss behind the cowboy hat just can’t be beat.

Dancing with his bride…

I may gasp a little every time I see this shot. If I could pick up this tree and take it with me…I totally would. If only.

Yep…perfect.

If you have ever been a client of mine…you know what this light is called in my book. Yummy light. This is the part of the shoot where I could uncontrollably giddy. Unashamedly so.

Sweetly content.

Even though Kori and I are born and bred Okies, this brick was too good to pass up. Especially since they will be residents of Texas. I had to get permission from her first cause we both know Okie blood runs deep 🙂

I will close with this because it is maybe my favorite part 🙂 Colin gave me a pair of ‘Bean Boots’ to wear around the ranch as well! I felt like I got an authentic experience and so of course I had to document it. Duh. Enjoy me and my bean boots. I’m such a rancher. Remember, after all...I should have been Mrs. John Wayne. 

A Clash that Led to a Collision of Two Worlds: Emily + Stephen Engagement Photography

“It’s a love story baby…just say yes.”

Oh if Taylor Swift could only hear this tale. Every love story is special because it belongs to two people and no one else. Every story is their own. However, some stories are simply more remarkable in the nature of the union of the two parties, be it distance, time or just the crazy road they had to take to get to each other.

She grew up in small town Oklahoma, reading books, playing soccer, working chemistry equations, writing award-winning essays and dreaming of how Mr. Darcy would come and sweep her off her feet. He’d come gallantly into her life and after an ardent love story he’d declare, “You have bewitched me body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. And wish from this day forth never to be parted from you.” Really… he would say that. She was sure of it.

He grew up in the hills of Pittsburgh, PA, thrilled to work math problems, thinking in all things statistics, cooking amazing meatloaf and loving to seek out the deep things of God. He dreamt of a godly woman that he could sweep off her feet and care for like Christ cared for the church.

Both were hoping and praying for the man and woman that God would bring into their lives to join with for the rest of their story. Both were preparing and anxiously waiting. Both were patient. Calm. And both had no idea that their future life partner, the one they would grow old with, walk hand-in-hand with, was halfway across the country.

They met at the “Clash,” a worldview conference in Grantham, Pennsylvania for young adults, geared toward equipping them to be image-bearers of Christ in all spheres of life. Interesting that the “Clash” brought about the “collision” of their lives. My dad had been determined to send her and even joked about keeping an eye out for eligible young men. She traveled hundreds of miles. He was just a few hours from home. When they got put into the same small group….little did they know what was ahead.

Now, you are probably expecting a love at first sight story but that’s not what this was. After the conference they parted ways. He returned to Pittsburgh and her to Norman, OK. Both went on with their lives but he had taken notice of this special girl from Oklahoma. Keeping up with her and her insightful writings online, the interest that had started in that small town in PA began to grow. Finally, two and a half years after their ‘clash’ encounter, he acted. Facebook messages turned into phone calls. Phone calls turned into Skype. Skype turned into summer visits and summer visits quickly turned into plans to be closer together. On a hot August day, she packed up her things, letting go of the world she knew so well,  and they made their way to PA. Sweet Pittsburgh families opened their home for her so that they could pursue their relationship in closer proximity and allow their love story to develop. Six months later he drove her to Grantham, PA, knelt down just a short ways from where they first met, and asked her to be his bride. “You have bewitched me body and soul,” he said, “and I love, I love, I love you. And wish from this day forth never to be parted from you.” No really…he said that. Just like she knew he would.

And that my friends is what you call a love story.

Emily and Stephen, thanks for letting me do your engagement session! Your love story is a great testament to the divine workings of our God. He brought you together despite miles and miles of unlikely odds which makes me believe that He has called this good. His plan for you together is greater than it would have been apart. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead and how He will continue to unfold your special story. Em, you are one special lady. I can’t believe we are here, preparing for your wedding! I still see the little sister with no fashion sense and whose greatest thrills came from working chemistry problems. That may not sound cool…but I think that you are the coolest. Thanks for being such a wonderful little sister to me…even if you always make me be the boy when we dance! Ha! Stephen, you are one cool dude and I’m so excited to welcome you into our crazy family! Thanks for pursuing my sister so fervently, even despite the miles. It gives me great confidence to know that you see how valuable she really is.  Here’s to the establishment of the Stephen Schuch family!!

Enjoy my favorites of Emily and Stephen…yeah I know. There are a lot. Don’t act surprised.

Happy Friday!

Ok, to be noted: Emily has been my most faithful model over the years. You may remember her Christmas shoot that we did recently. She is the reason I have improved as I have and so you could say I was excited to have her actually have someone to model with! It was a fun change of events!

Over your mantle guys. For real.

Love this one.

What a beautiful couple!

Seriously…all those shoots we did over the years prepared you for this moment Em. Gorgeous.

My dad is convinced she should be an eye model. I can’t say I know if that’s a real profession but if it was I’d agree.

Ok so Stephen and I joked about his serious face before the shoot. He was not quite sure of how to make it work. I assured him he would be fine. Um…and then he busted this out on the first try. Yeah…easy as pie.

So editorial guys. Really.

Just stop it with the cuteness.

She has great legs. Not fair.

So they were pressed for time, having to catch a plane just a few hours after we started. It had rained a good amount that morning so we were pretty bummed that our original locations wouldn’t work. After church we went to this fun ‘homestyle cookin’ restaurant in this cute little downtown in North Dallas. It had so many fun little places around so we decided to come back to shoot that afternoon. It was perfect!

Sweet contentment.

I love these doors!

Hand in hand til death do us part.

Love these colors against the wood.

Waiting on her man to pick her up.

Guess he got the memo.

I may be biased…but you are gorgeous.

I was determined to shoot in this tall grass. It’s been calling my name since spring made its debut. They were such troopers, traipsing into tall and very WET grass for me, the crazy photographer. The sun was still a little high in the sky but they had to catch a flight so we forged ahead!

AGHH!!! I love this shot. So candidly sweet.

She loves to read. So does he. Its a good match. Stephen has his masters in statistics. The slow learner part is definitely in sarcastic humor.

And of course we had to break out the Clash t-shirts in honor of what brought them together. Kind of ironic isn’t it. A clash that united instead of separated.

That bling is cause of the Clash!

Laughter is the Closest Distance Between Two People: Autumn + Brian Engagement Photography

“Laughter is the closest distance between two people.” -Victor Borge

There is no price to put on laughter. It is therapeutic. It is healing. It is precious. It is binding. It closes the gap. It covers transgressions. It is a gift.

Boy did we laugh. We laughed so much I could hardly work my camera. I can honestly say I’m not sure I’ve ever had so much fun on a shoot. Really. We laughed the whole time and I left feeling so blessed to have been a small part of this couple’s story. It’s a special story.

Autumn is what I would call a heart friend. She was my sanity two summers ago as I was heading up the Kanakuk Kamps Summer office and dealing with the craziness that comes with helping to manage a giant organization. Plus, we were enduring three months of unbearable Ozark humidity in the thick of summer. She was heroically leading the women of the dining hall and knocking it out of the park. We would have daily ‘help me’ meetings in the kitchen (often in the cool of the walk in refrigerator…no joke) as we would debrief the stress of the day. Autumn would look at me and say “Liiiisten, JT.Dub.” As in Jesus Take the Wheel. The sass of this girl is my favorite. Seriously, her friendship has provided me with some of the best life therapy over the years. Laughter. She keeps me laughing all the time. However, she is also one of the most direct and tell-you-like-it-is women I know and I am so grateful for that. She is a dear friend who I know will always give me a listening ear and sound advice. She is a gem and one of a kind.

It didn’t take Brian very long to realize that very thing about Autumn. He saw just how wonderful this woman was and he had to give it his best shot at winning her heart. They met at a mayoral campaign in St. Petersburg, FL in 2009 but besides a few quick encounters in between, they didn’t really spend significant time together until December 2010. Having both a long connection with Kanakuk Kamps and K Life ministries, their paths crossed in none other than Branson, MO and the spark was lit. December 17, 2010 he decided he had to get to know her better and began his patient pursuit. January 10th, 2011 he knew that she was the one he wanted to marry if she would give him a chance. She did. For the next four months he patiently pursued her as a friend over the phone and through email. 100 days after knowing she was the one, they went on their first date and the rest is history.

She thinks he’s a stud. He loves Chips and Salsa. She’s addicted to coffee. They love being out in the country because it’s quiet. They are a foot and a half apart in height difference. They are best friends and they are one incredibly fun couple.

I think that the ability to laugh together is a great indication of the strength of a relationship. Like I said, it covers a multitude of transgressions and maintains a joy that is necessary in this thing called life. Autumn and Brian, thank you so much for letting me be part of your wedding and for allowing me to laugh with you. I had so much fun and cannot wait to be there on your big day. I know that we will laugh a ton and enjoy the celebration of it all because God’s favor will be so evident. He smiles with you because this union is one to rejoice over. Your marriage will bring laughter to so many. Cannot wait to see how it all unfolds.

Happy Tuesday and remember…laughter is the closest distance between two people.

(Enjoy some pics of this fun couple. As usual, I had too many favorites so it may take you a while! They live in St. Petersburg, FL which is convenient since my sister lives in Orlando. On one of my wedding planning trips, we found time to get together and do a shoot in this fun quaint little downtown in Old Winter Garden. Then we made our way to a youth camp which was so fitting given their connection to Kanakuk Kamps. Enjoy!)

Aut, you are so gorgeous it’s unfair. 

The posed shot.

The ‘real’ shot. I told Brian to make Autumn laugh and boy…I wish I could tell you what he said to get this kind of reaction. Believe me, it was hilarious. We had to take several minutes to recover. Me included. LOVE the genuity of this picture.

Work it girl. Those eyes are striking.

Favorite. I’m in love with the lighting…not to mention the sweetness of this shot. Perfect.

Notice the height difference? Love it.

Can you imagine the laughter that came from this series of shots. I was having way too much fun.

Smiles of two people in love.

Seriously. I have one beautiful friend!

I took Brian and Autumn to this cute ice cream shop in this fun little downtown. I picked the biggest cup and filled it to the top. It was heavy…

Again, could this couple get any more fun? I think not.

Practicing for the cake cutting…

There’s the sassy girl I know and love. Her reaction to him is priceless.

Love those shoes Aut. Brian, of course you have to get on your tip toes to kiss your bride to be. Not.

Brian was serious about his model poses…again, the laughter was ensuing.

Work it guys. So impressed.

Maybe my favorite of the whole shoot. Timeless.

Bring in my famous ‘yummy light.’ Mary is one happy camper.

Love me some Spanish moss. So romantic.

Rawr. America’s Next Top Model. Seriously Aut, stunning.

Had to post this one since it is such an accurate depiction of the shoot. Hilarious. I said, “Give me your best model faces.” They are too fun.

Again, too fun.

Look! They are the same height!

Oh wait…she cheated.

Had to post this one too. Brian was particularly determined to take a picture with the ‘Slow’ sign. Aut and I weren’t sure why but we played along. Came out fun and even more an illustration of the playful nature of this couple. Love it.

Every once in a while, ok maybe more than often than that, I come up with a ridiculous idea. My couples are always so compliant and allow me to try new things. They were sweet as I made them Sharpie their hands and stand by a random sign in this fun youth camp we shot at. Despite my crazy ideas, I think this may be one of my favorites. What a picture of the covenant that is ahead.

Mr. and Mrs. Wang…Together Forever.

Happy Tuesday!!!!

Masterpiece…and What’s Ahead on the Blog.

Every artist has what they consider to be their greatest work. The peak of their talent. The ultimate. The best. The crescendo if you will. The product that they want everyone to admire. The product that THEY admire. The one that they are most proud of.

Their masterpiece.

“It’s the best one I’ve ever made,” she said to Beth when she sent her a picture of her bouquet. “It’s my favorite of all time.” Even though I haven’t seen all of this florist’s work, I can pretty much say that I wouldn’t doubt it being true. Beth’s bouquet, and really all of the bouquets were breathtaking. Seriously. I’ve seen a LOT of wedding bouquets and these were stunning. Jaw-dropping. They were masterpieces.

As I was editing these pictures of the flowers from last weekend, I was elated with excitement at their beauty. I began to think about what the florist said and ironically it fit perfectly with what I had read this morning. I have been so incredibly blessed since moving to Dallas to be able to be part of The Village Church. What a wonderful gift it has been to be enveloped into a church body that not only loves worshipping together, but also has an affection and reverence for the Word of God. A dynamic combination. We have just started a new series as a church on the book of Galations and it has been wonderful thus far. In our home groups we are going through Timothy Keller’s Galations study and today’s lesson was about being God’s workmanship. Paul is giving the account of his own story and how God had shaped it.

Here is my favorite part from today’s study:

“The word “workmanship” is very important. It is the Greek word poema from which we get our word “poem.” It means that every believer is essentially a work of art – God’s art! Consider how artists work, whether they are writers, musicians, painters, sculptors, etc. They labor long and hard and with the utmost care and detailed attention. Sometimes they do very little – only a stroke here or there. Other times they make massive changes. But always they seek to bring the raw material into line with an artistic vision. Thus, Paul is telling us that God labors over all believers throughout our entire lives, intervening, guiding and shaping us – all to bring us into line with the vision He has for us. That is mentioned also in Ephesians 2:10: “created . . . to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God has a particular set of “good works” for us to do, for which He prepares us our whole lives.”

Know that, like that stunning bouquet, when you are found in Christ you are a beautiful masterpiece, His workmanship, created with great care and great purpose!

Happy Thursday!!! Enjoy some shots of this gorgeous bouquet. I mean really…it’s one of the most beautiful arrangements that I have ever seen!

(Sneak peek of other posts to come!)

I don’t know whether to cry or squeal at this shot…so I’ll do both! One of my favorites from the weekend. Since I was the MOH (maid of honor), I did my very best not to get stuck behind the camera but to enjoy being her number one girl. However, I couldn’t help myself here and there so get ready for some really fun shots of a REALLY beautiful wedding!

They are wonderful and it was a blast during their engagement shoot! Can’t wait to show you more of Autumn and Brian’s Florida engagement. Seriously some of the best three hours ever!!!