Michael & Carlin // Winter Park Mead Garden Wedding

During our consultation, we sat on the back patio of a favorite local bar sharing happy hour IPA's. During the engagement shoot, we took a break for tequila shots & finished the night laughing over burgers. At every step of the way, our hangs lasted longer than the photos & pretty soon Michael & Carlin felt more like friends than clients. 

I really couldn't ask for more amazing people to be around - they are intentional, kind, lovers of people & all around super quality humans. 

Love ya'll forever. <3 

Will & Erika // Downtown Atlanta Restaurant & Dive Bar Wedding

Oh boy, do I love a good non-traditional wedding! Will & Erika created a wedding day that was uniquely special to their story together. They wed in their neighborhood church, had a candlelit dinner party in the cozy Italian restaurant where they had their first date, & then finished the night in an after party at their favorite dive bar where they also happened to end up on their first date!

It was an intimate & fun celebration that was so specifically special to them. They focused on their favorite things & let the rest of the weddingy details fall away. Love it!! <3

David & Kiana // Winter Park Lakefront Engagement

It was the first chilly day of our Florida fall. The park was insanely crowded with other photographers, people picnicking, and joggers on a high, but we found some quiet pockets & made it our own.

<3 <3 <3 

Jordan & Lauren // Skyline Loft Chicago Wedding

Lauren & Jordan's summer wedding in Chicago was one for the books. From the sprawling lawns of a suburb mansion, to the streets of Michigan Ave, to ending the evening in a loft overlooking the city skyline- it was incredible! Chicago is one of my favorite cities & shooting here was a dream. 

Jordan & Lauren's deep appreciation for one another was so special to see & I had a blast dancing with their friends!

Thanks for letting me be a part of your day, you two! <3 

Ps. Shout out to Shannon Smith Jackson for being an epic 2nd shooter & catching so many great moments throughout the day!

Winston & Adrienne // Atlantic Center for the Arts Intimate Wedding

I sure love me some intimate weddings - Winston & Adrienne's was no exception. It was such a relaxed day & it truly felt like Adrienne & Winston were slowly soaking in each drop. They leisurely got ready with the help of their parents, then braved the rain for some portraits. The literal moment we stepped outside for the first look, the skies unleashed. With a little bit a sweet talking, we were able to convince an art gallery manager to open after hours so we could duck inside while it monsooned. This "Plan B" turned out to be the best thing we could have asked for- portraits in an art gallery are pretty much a giant YES for me. 

My favorite moment of the day (& probably top five for weddings this year) was the holy space that came immediately after Adrienne & Winston were pronounced husband & wife. They both exited the chapel, tears streaming down their face & spent the next few minutes in this sacred atmosphere of emotion. I felt so honored to bear witness & I've choked up every single time I scroll through that portion of the images. 

It truly was a special day with two incredibly tender, kind, warm & intentional people.

Winston & Adrienne, you are lovely. 

Neal & Michaela // Santa Barbara, California Greenhouse Wedding

Driving up the winding road to the Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm in Santa Barbara, I could see the greenhouses, the cactus fields, & the coastal cliffs. My heart was exploding with excitement & I thought "there could not be a more magical day". 

Turns out my gut was right- it was perfect beyond perfect. 

Michaela & Neal treated us like family & their friends did the same with no exception. Left & right I was offered food, wine, & hugs. I even ended the evening on the dance floor sandwiched between Michaela & one of her bridesmaids talking about how sad we were to leave each other because we'd had so much fun. 

Neal & Michaela share a sweet love & so intentionally created the most beautifully designed & special day. There really are no words, so here is about a million images to tell the story for you. Enjoy!

Ps. HUGE shout out to Jamie English for being the most epic second shooter, assistant, & friend I could have asked for on this day. She's so talented! This day was also made most epic by coordinator/event planner extraordinaire Tyler Speier & videography master John Burman. It was a dream team on all accounts! 

Elliot & Melissa // Atlanta Urban Loft Wedding

Elliot & Melissa's wedding day was one for the books. The location was to die for- an actual dream come true for my minimalistic, warehousey loft loving heart. And the people, oh my, the people.  From the moment Melissa & I first spoke on the phone during our consult, we instantly connected. Meeting her on the wedding day was no different- she ran up to me, giant smile on her face & gave me the sweetest hug. It was as if we'd been friends for years. 

Melissa's energy & kindness was infectious. Her friends were amazing & it hardly felt like work getting to spend the day with them. Elliot & Melissa wed a few days before they would celebrate their 12th anniversary together. High school sweethearts, through & through- Melissa asked Elliot to homecoming & the love never stopped. 

It was a honor to stand alongside such joyful & kind couple as they entered into a new level of life together. Thank you so much for having me Elliot & Melissa. I love these images & I hope they live long in your hearts as well. 

Ray & Melissa // Salt Lake City Wedding

In the beginning of the year, I partnered with Honey Jewelry Co. for a wedding photography giveaway.( Sidenote: If you haven't seen Honey's rings yet, you need to go do that immediately. They are my absolute favorite jeweler & I could not recommend them any higher. If you need a ring, they are gonna make you the best possible version of that ring. Trust me, just do it!)

This was my first time participating in such a large giveaway & I was a bit nervous not knowing what to expect. The fact that it turned out to be such an incredible experience is beyond me. From the moment I showed up at Melissa's parents doorstep, she & Ray greeted me with bear hugs & laughter. 

Since their actual wedding day was pretty tight schedule wise & it was really important to them to get great portraits, Ray & Mel, opted to spend the whole day before with me. To say this was an honor is an understatement. My gosh, it was a great day. We took our time, got ready in her parents bathroom, had a sweet first look in her favorite neighbors yard, ran across the street to take photos with a donkey, & they even treated me to their favorite food truck meals before we set out to the Salt Flats. This was the highlight for me because we had hours in the car to talk about life, share our stories, listen to music, & just simply become friends. To top it all off, we were racing the sun, ended up parking on the side of the interstate, climbing over bushes, water, & railroad tracks to find the most perfect little pocket of Salt Flat where all the magic happened.

The following day they wed & dance partied into the evening with friends & family. Ray & Melissa touched my heart with the story of their love & gave me hope in places that had long felt hopeless. The tenderness in Ray's touch as he holds Melissa's face. The admiration in Melissa's gaze when she's looking into Ray's eyes. The way they make each other laugh. All of it. I loved getting to witness these little nuances of their love. 

Thank you thank you, both for the incredible hospitality, kindness, & openness with which you shared yourselves with me. I loved every minute of my time in Utah with you both & your families. Can't wait to come visit! ;)

Okay okay, enough of my sappiness, here are the photos!! 

Patrick & Sarah // Engagement

Last month I was out in California attending a photography conference ( it was incredible, by the way). After the conference, a few fellow photographers & I took a mini road trip to explore & have some fun shooting in new locations. Along the way we had the opportunity to collaborate on an engagement session in Malibu & it was amazing! Patrick & Sarah are the sweetest couple. They were so playful with one another & their love was making me squeal with excitement. Even as I was editing this session, I don't think a smile left my face once. 

Major props to Patrick & Sarah who totally went along with having 3 crazy photographers at their session. It was so much fun! 

Below is a selection of my favorite images from my camera that day! 

Landon & Alyson // Wedding

This wedding day started at the crack of dawn with groomsmen cooking breakfast as the rising sun peeked through the blinds & with bridesmaids dancing while popping bottles of champagne. There was so much energy & excitement in the air, it almost made me (a super non-morning person) forget it was 6am! Haha. When your ceremony starts at 11am, you have a lot of celebration to pack in before lunch & these two certainly didn't hold back! 

Landon & Alyson married in a sweet little chapel in the heart of Winter Park, FL surrounded by close family  & friends. Their intimate ceremony was followed by a quaint lunch with family & then continued onto a big party where they were joined by lots of friends to dance & celebrate into the evening! 

Thanks so much for asking me to join in on your big day & thanks for trusting me to wake up before the sun. ;) Love you two!