Ashley & Zack's Autumn Engagement Session {Spokane}

It’s not every engagement session that I have a gorgeous couple to work with AND the most beautiful little girl!  I can’t wait to tell you more of this incredible couple’s love story when I share their wedding blog in just over a week, but know, you’re going to want to hear it!  This location is one of my favorites to visit because it never disappoints with its stunning color and varied textures so I was thrilled when Ashley and Zack were up for this place.  At the beginning of our conversations, the engagement session wasn’t a huge priority because they were just excited about the wedding and while I totally understand that it’s not for everyone, I also want to take every opportunity to build relationships with the couples that I get to work with and make sure that I’m able to capture their vision for their wedding day.  Plus, one of my secrets to great pictures with littles is to spend as much time with them as possible so I knew if I got to spend some time with Scarlett, there is a lot better chance that on wedding day we’re just going to have a blast together!  

Maribel & Sipriano's Romantic Mountain Engagement Session {Leavenworth}

Some things that I absolutely love are, vintage/antique items, bright colors, being outside and autumn.  The reason I’m telling you this is because all of that combined in perfection for this session!  I love that Maribel chose a dress that had a vintage feel to it, and when I saw the dilapidated car on the property I knew it was going to be one of my favorite shots.  The time I spent with these two was so enjoyable and from the very beginning they were just the sweetest couple and genuinely love being together.  The cute comments and way they just naturally showed their relationship was the best.  We were so far out in the woods that we even saw bear poop on the trail we were on-I had never seen that in real life before!  Thankfully the closest we came to a bear was guard dog but that gives you an idea of the amazing location!  I don’t exactly live close to this area but it was totally worth the drive to be able to hang out in such a serene setting.  I hope you love these as much as I do!

Ali & Ryan's Orchard Engagement Session {Brewster}

This story begins a long time ago when Ali Joy was in about 6th grade.  I met Ali when Kyle and I started dating and I don't know that she was too sure about me at first since Kyle was kind of like a big brother to her.  However, around 6th grade she came into our youth group and I was one of the middle school girl leaders so I started to get to know her pretty well.  Close to that time Kyle and I got engaged and the 6th grade girls were all about helping me plan my wedding and had to be in the know about every little detail.  Over the next couple years there would be so many conversations, good times and hard times that we got to walk through with Ali.  

When we decided to move to Brewster, Ali and her family were one of the hardest to say goodbye to.  But 2 1/2 hours never stopped Ali from visiting, one of the first road trips she went on by herself was following me to Brewster where I had strict instructions from her dad to not pass a single car.  Amazingly enough that was the only trip I've made from Spokane to Brewster where I didn't even get behind another car!  After that she came up when Kamden was tiny, then a little later for one of her spring breaks.  During that trip we made her hike Chelan Butte. (Which she still claims was the worst day of her life, haha!)  I'm so thankful that even with the distance she has stayed close to us and when she graduated I was even able to do her senior pictures.  You can see those here and here if you want to walk back down memory lane with me ;))

So now that you know some of this girl's story it's time to tell you about the next chapter. On Easter weekend we found out Ali had gotten engaged to Ryan and we were so excited for them.  I texted her and told her that he pretty much had the best timing in the world for engagement pictures if they were willing to make the drive, so once again Ali got in the car and came to Brewster, this time to introduce us to Ryan!  We got to hear all about their engagement story and love story, how she  had a crush on her next door neighbor for so many years and would tell everyone that she was going to marry him.  Only several years later when he first asked her out, she declined.  However, Ryan didn't give up and asked her out again, this time to get a "Yes." And now here they are, with Ali, actually marrying the boy next door!  Is that not the most adorable story?!

You can tell just by the huge smiles on their faces how happy they are right now and I can't wait to see how this next part of their lives will be like for them!

Congratulations Ali and Ryan and thank you for trusting me to capture this exciting time in your lives!!!

Jacob & Janessa {Spokane County Fair}

This may be one of my favorite engagement sessions!  Jacob and Janessa are two of the most adorable couples I have ever seen in my entire life, not just in my photography experience.  They are incredibly thoughtful and generous and so much fun to be around.  Their relationship started in high school and because they have so much history together, their friendship is very evident.  They have so much fun together, which made my job so easy. I don't think I had to remind them to have real smiles the entire time because it was all real laughter and excitement. I can't wait for their wedding next summer, I can already tell it will be absolutely incredible.