S + C | Downtown Denton Engagement Mini-Session

I knew from the moment we started emailing back and forth and getting to know each other that Shannon and I were going to click and become friends. A former Dentonite, we had some mutual friends, and were also able to connect over some of the tougher life experiences that can be thrown at us as we move into adulthood. All in all, I could tell she was a bright soul and that her fiancé, Chris, was equally as rad.

Suffice it to say, they were the only couple I photographed even partially outdoors in the midst of the Texas summer. I typically don't take outdoor shoots/weddings during July and August because TEXAS HEAT IS REAL, Y'ALL... but I knew they would be super worth it. And they were such troopers when it was still 100 degrees and the sun was setting. We adventured around to a few little favorite haunts of Shannon's and I ended up getting way more than a mini-session's worth of final images because she and Chris are seriously the cutest. So, so looking forward to their wedding this Fall and can't wait to see their amazing venue transformed into what will certainly be an epic and unforgettable day.

xx,
S.

Jazmine + Erik | Lake Ray Roberts Engagement

Sometimes things don't always go as planned. Take this session with Jazmine and Erik, for example. We had two other locations in mind before we settled on Plan C: the lake. When we arrived, we had briefly paused at two spots before stopping at a little cove I hadn't visited before. Poor Jazmine twisted her ankle as we were walking towards the water's edge... but we made do and Jazmine was a trooper. I can't wait for their wedding this Fall because these two are so chill, so relaxed, so content just to be with each other. And that's what it's about.

What we ended up with was a gorgeous sunset with the moon overhead in the sky. A perfect breeze. A mild reprieve from the overwhelming heat we've been experiencing this summer. The quiet sounds of the water lapping the sand...and a random speedboat blaring "Pony" by Ginuwine (because every engagement session needs that to be part of the soundtrack.) I took off my boots, rolled up my jeans, and waded out in the water for a few shots. While I wasn't able to get every single shot I had planned out in my mind, maybe that was for the best. Sometimes serendipity truly shows up for us in the most unexpected ways.

xx,
S.

Chelsae + Justin | Denton County Engagement Session

Chelsae and Justin are my jam. Justin and my husband have been best friends since childhod (and Justin actually happens to be the reason Chris and I met), and we just adore Chelsae. It was so exciting to help Justin with his proposal and I've been looking forward to their engagement session for forever. 

Funny thing, though - our initial plan for photos (which included a 30 minute drive) got shot down when we realized that our location was closed upon arriving. We spent the time we had left, driving through the country, chasing the light, and stopping whenever a place seemed like a good fit. Even though the plans got canned, I honestly feel like this is one of my favorite sessions and I can't wait for pt. 2, where we'll be shooting in their home. xx.

MUA: Artistry by Katie Anne

Chelsae + Justin | Downtown Denton Doctor Who Proposal

On Saturday afternoon, I had the exciting task of taking our dear friend, Chelsae, around the downtown Denton square area under the guise of experimenting with a new prism (which was actually something I had wanted to do) - with the intention of getting her over to Barley and Board so her boyfriend (and Chris's best friend), Justin, could propose.  Here are a few of the shots from the moments leading up to Justin's proposal.

Justin ended up popping out from around the corner at Barley & Board, got down on one knee, told Chelsae he he'd searched all of time and space for her, and asked her to be his wife. Chris and I are so thrilled for them both and are so honored to have been there to witness that important moment for them. xx.

Kadie + Ian | Oak-Hickory Historic District Engagement Session

Slowly working my way backwards in the backlog of sessions and weddings that need to be blogged. I don't always blog every single thing I shoot and it's never for a personal reason - getting the images turned around and delivered fairly quickly to clients on the back end and moving on to the next project are always my first priorities, but it's definitely time to start sharing more of my work on my own page, as well. I'm probably going to start working back and pulling things from waaaaay in the past as well. Losing my old blog was a nightmare, but it's time to put more effort on rebuilding. Working on it, anyway.

Believe it or not, I used to live in the carriage house on the same property as the location of this engagement session (Ian's parents' home.) A visual dream, basically. All of the homes in the Oak-Hickory Historic District are amazing, but their garden is a magical place full of caterpillars (check out the red one cozying up to Kadie's ring on the passion flower), fluttering butterflies, and gorgeous flowers I don't even know the names to.

Kadie and Ian are the sweetest. They met while volunteering at UNT and are getting married this November and I. Could. Not. Be. More. Excited. that their wedding day is approaching so quickly! These two laugh and play and have fun together so easily, which makes working with them a dream. Bonus: We're shooting Kadie's bridal session this week in the same spot, so I'll be sharing those after their wedding.

xx,
S.