Hall Family Fall Dairy Farm Session {Spokane}

I used to work with Andrea when we were leaders for middle school girls in youth group many years ago so when she mentioned wanting to get family pictures I was really excited to meet her family!  Stella and William were hilarious and both have the most fun personalities!  I loved how Stella was snuggly with her family but also had her own opinions if I wanted her to do something that she wasn’t totally up for ;)  William was the best little cheeser and his little puffy vest was just the cutest accessory for his bright little spirit.  If anyone knows Andrea, you know she has the best laugh and smile, I think of anyone I’ve ever met and getting to see her with her babies was the sweetest thing ever!  This family was so much fun and you can tell that they just adore being together!

Sartin Family Field and Forest Session {Spokane}

 I’ve used this location before but never in the fall so I didn’t know exactly what to expect, and it completely surpassed my dreams with this session!  I’m always a fan of blue and yellow combinations so when the Sartin family showed up in these colors and we had this location I knew it was going to be as close to magic as it gets!  I’ve been working with the Sartin family since Colt was about 1, and every time I see them it’s even more fun than the last time!  All those little blue eyes are the perfect compliment to the leaves this time of year and they just pop!  Seeing all of them laugh and have fun together is the best part and getting to have kids be kids in nature just makes it enjoyable for everyone.  I know some families want the non-dirty, sit and smile pictures and while I usually get at least one of those, I’m also so excited when parents will let their kids climb trees, jump off rocks and just generally be kids.  When Lizzy said that one of her main goals was to capture their joy playing together that was one of the best themes I’ve ever heard and I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what we got!

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!  

Jacob & Janessa's Vintage Disney Wedding {Spokane}

 One year ago today I was at the happiest place on earth.   Even though Disney may try to claim that title, this Disney themed, vintage wedding was one of the most creatively beautiful events I’ve ever attended and the couple that put this whole event together will forever be some of my favorites!  

To begin this amazing love story you have to go back to high school when I met the groom.  Between super bowl parties and bowling league games I was able to get to know Jacob and Janessa as a couple and right away I knew that they were something special.  There are couples that just make the world a better place when they are around and that is what I would say about these two.  Their smiles are bigger and more authentic when they are with each other, they delight in each other and support each other through thick and thin.  

Every part of the day was planned with precision and Janessa sent me the most beautiful schedule of the day that she designed!  She is a graphic artist and her immense creativity was seen in every detail of the day.  The pastel colors she chose crafted an experience for the guests that really did remind us of Disney.  Just like the parks that give visitors an experience that is magical, this wedding duo transformed a dark ballroom into a magical setting to commit their lives to each other.  Being downtown Spokane at the Historic Davenport Hotel allowed us to continue their theme of vintage elegance and the staff here was so willing to help us in any way possible, including a rooftop first look which was a dream come true!

Although all of the pieces of the night were spectacular, one of my favorite parts of the night was when Janessa’s whole family danced with her on the dance floor, there are few families I have seen with the bond, inside jokes and history that you can tell they have with each other and it was so special to watch them enjoy this amazing night with the couple.  Congratulations on your first year of marriage Jacob and Janessa!  I can’t wait to see what this next year holds for you, including the beginning of your life as parents!

 The Knitting Factory staff were also wonderful to work with and quickly transformed the ceremony location to the dinner portion of the night and the pizza options were a fun touch that gave guests a variety of options.  The dessert buffet was complete with so many chocolate covered confections that it was hard to pick a favorite. 

 One hilarious moment of the night was when Janessa's dad got a close up of the garter being removed, much to the surprise of Jacob! ;)

Vendors I loved working with:
Flowers: Rose and Blossom 
Getting Ready: The Davenport Hotel
Ceremony & Reception: The Knitting Factory