Lindsey & Seth - July 9th - The Red Barn Experience

The Red Barn Expereince

Lindsey & Seth were married back in July! As I'm watching the snow fall, I'm dreaming about these summer weddings. I figured why not blog about them! Its long over due, and I'm freezing so what better time to remember summer? 

Lindsey was like every bride, super nervous, but so incredibly excited to marry the love of her life. I remember the smile, as she was getting on her dress. She lit up the room. I remember her saying, "I just want to marry my best friend, its almost time I marry my best friend!" 
One of the things I love about my job, is that I get to keep the bride calm, and relaxed. Its not an easy task, but someone's got to do it! 

I am a big stickler about dragging my couples out of dinner or their reception to get some golden hour images. The light is just always so perfect its hard NOT to want those photos. 
This was one of my favorite wedding's of 2017.

Marci & Paul - June 29th - Valparaiso & The Market

Marci & Paul are. adorable. Photographing their wedding was so amazing. No two people are more in love than these two. Hearing the "how they met" story during their wedding ceremony made me tear up. Their family and friends were in the same boat. Sitting in the church singing and praying over them was an incredible sight. I can't wait to see where this life takes them! 
 

Darryl & Amanda - July 7th - Uptown Center - Michigan City

The Uptown Center
in

One of the best things about my job is taking pictures of people I love. It leads me to being friends with new people and gaining even better friendships with people I have known from before. I met Darryl a couple of years ago because of another good friend. I instantly knew him and I would be friends. He's goofy, carefree, and is always smiling. I then met his fiancé Amanda. We clicked. It was magical. I didn't know that we would become such good friends though, and for that I'm thankful. Fast forward to their big day, and I cried. A lot. These two have a love I haven't seen before. Photographing their wedding was the highlight to my summer. Some of my most favorite images come from this set. I love them both dearly and am so happy I was apart of the biggest day of their lives. Here's to many more memories with you both. <3
 

Calli & John - June 17th - Fair Oaks Farm

Fair Oaks Farm

Calli & John were married back in June. It was one of the hotter days we had in June and I thought we were all going to melt. There was a breeze. A hot breeze... Bugs. *so* many bugs. All day long. BUT these two were troopers. I absolutely loved John's reaction to Calli during their first look. I love when the groom's show some emotion too!!
Fair Oaks is one of my favorite venues... Not only is it beautiful but the staff is amazing.
Surrounded by their friends and family they were married and it was beautiful. I was even emotional during parts of the day. Cant forget about the "shoe" game. I cant wait to play this at my own wedding!! Thanks John & Calli for having me as your photographer! I enjoyed you both so much!

Rachael & Jaxon

This girl right here is one of my favorite people. Her and Jaxon have had a few sessions with me now. Not only that, she's my second shooter for some weddings this year :) I absolutely adore her and her boy. These are some of my favorite pictures. I am so happy Ryan was able to join us for them too!! 

Jen & Evan - June 10th - White Hawk Country Club

White Hawk Country Club

When Jen and Evan had their engagement session, I never knew these two would make me laugh as much as they did on their wedding day. I laughed, cried, and laughed some more. They are a hoot. One of my favorite moments was when Evan sang to Jen during their ceremony, and Jen had NO idea it was going to happen. It was amazing. These two are beyond perfect together and I hope to see them again very soon :) 

Sarah & Matt - June 4th - Ogden Gardens

What do you do when your little sister gets married? You cry. Like a baby. All day. And try to hold up your Maid of Honor duties, and photographer duties. I didn't do too bad. Until my dad saw my sister in her dress for the first time. I lost it. Like flat out ugly cried. I have an incredible second shooter that was able to shoot most of the wedding while I was actually in the wedding. I got to take a few images though. Ugh. My little sister is married... Thank you Liz for capturing the images of Matt and the ceremony for me! 

Nina & Greg - June 3rd - Crown Point Courthouse & Lighthouse Restaurant

Oh Nina & Greg. What a fun day we had. They have a very unique personality. BOTH OF THEM! HAH! 

Nina was nervous while getting ready. She held it together and handled the problems with the limo like a champ. She just rode with her photographers! 
The ceremony was beautiful and I know that she breathed a sigh of relief after and the party began! 
So many laughs were shared and it was a beautiful, but hot June day. 

Jenna & Andy - Downtown Valparaiso - Engagement Session

Oh Jenna & Andy. These two are just adorable. I love a couple I can giggle with, joke around with, and make fun of.... Andy kept getting distracted so I started calling him squirrel. We galavanted around downtown for a good 40 minutes so we could see the lights about Washington street. It seriously was a perfect evening. These two need to hurry up and get married next year so I can take their picture again. 

Ally - Senior Session

To kick off the spring session, I spent a Friday at the beach with Ally! We were having issues with the weather but we finally found a winning date! She totally rocked it and reminded me why I love senior sessions! I have never seen someone so smiley before! She was just beaming the whole time. The beach looks good on her :) 

Alex & Mike - Downtown Chicago Engagement Session

Alex and Mike are one of my 2017 wedding clients and after their engagement session I can't wait for their December wedding... Chicago on a weekday is about the same as Chicago on the weekend. People everywhere. I am so shocked that we managed to feel like the only three people while there. I love all of these pictures but it was so hard to pick just a few for a blog post. These two are just the sweetest. Their adorable love story is straight out of a book. Paramedic falls in love with the firefighter. Seriously the most classic story ever. I love these two. 

Oliver - 2 Year Birthday Session

Oliver was a really hard character to break. It took a while for him to warm up to me. Even then I still didn't get a smile until the last two images of the evening. I still love all of these images. There is something to just chasing around a two year old and letting him search and look at things. Oh and jump, sniff flowers. It was great. And he's adorable so even though he gave me a run for my money I still adore the images. :) 

Georgetown, Texas Mini Sessions

I visited Georgetown Texas back in May to see one of my best college friends Carol and her family. We decided to hold a few mini sessions to a couple of families. I had the best of time and can't wait to go back! These families were amazing, and so fun to work with. I loved being out of my comfort zone in Texas and not knowing what animals I could touch and which ones were poisonous..... apparently their caterpillars are poisonous and thankfully I was warned before I reached down to pet one. You had to be careful of snakes... and other little critters. It was an interesting time thats for sure! And the golden hour is beautiful. I for sure enjoyed myself. <3

Stephanie - Boudoir

Wowza. . . . . . . I dont have many words for Stephanie. Shes one hot tamale. I was really excited when she mentioned to me she wanted to put together this session for her future husband! They were married this past weekend, so i'm dying to hear how the surprise went :)
Give me all the boudoir sessions. I love these <3

Sarah & Richard - Century Memorial Chapel - Naperville, Illinois

Century Memorial Chapel

Sarah contacted me about two months before their April wedding, and I am sure glad she did. Sarah & Richard were married in the beautiful and incredibly old (in a good, beautiful way) chapel in Naperville, Illinois. The day was beautiful, all sunshine and blue skies. Sarah and Richard's relationship is so special, they have many meanings behind certain sayings and shapes, it was amazing to learn. Seriously. These two are adorable and I am so happy I was able to photograph their wedding.

Bree & Beau - Fair Oaks Farm - Fair Oaks Indiana

Fair Oakes Farm

OH my gosh. The first wedding of 2017 was a struggle. It was cold, I had the flu, and lets be real my nerves were through the roof. I was worried with it being a 10 hour wedding I wouldn't make it. I had a fever of 100.3 and no motivation. That being said, these are THE BEST WEDDING PHOTOS I HAVE EVER TAKEN! So there's that. I loved, loved, loved everything about Bree and Beau's day. They both looked fantastic, and their family accepted Liz and I with no problem. The day was a breeze, flu and all. I am so excited I was their wedding photographer and could not have asked for a better day. Well I guess I could have dealt without the flu, but you know, it worked!!
 

Ashlee & Donald - Engagement - Chicago

When your best friend is getting married, you go to Chicago for the day. My birthday this year was spent taking Ashlee & Donald's engagement photos in Chicago. Let me tell you, it was a bright beautiful day with lots of giggles from Ashlee and I and complaints from Donald. Photographing your best friend always comes with perks like when you tell them to stand in the middle of a crowded side walk, she just says OK, and doesn't give you a funny look. We spent 4 hours taking ubers and walking around the city. It for sure was one of the best birthdays I have had in a long time. :)

Emily & Zach - Christopher Place Resort I Newport, Tennessee

Christopher Place Resort

Hands down, most amazing wedding I have ever been a part of. I am so incredibly blessed to have a bride who, even though she decided to move her wedding to Tennessee, still wanted to keep you as her photographer. <3
The road to this wedding was an interesting one. Matt and I decided to take the opportunity of a destination wedding, and turn it into a vacation for ourselves. Upon arriving in Gatlinburg, the wildfires had made their way down the mountain. Which, we were lucky we arrived when we did, they had just started evacuating Gatlinburg and no one else was allowed into town. We were blessed. We just lost the place we were supposed to stay. Locals, and some vacationers lost their belongings and their homes. So right from the start it was a challenging week. I was super worried Emily & Zach would change their minds and not make the trip down, but they did.
I cant even with these photos. I need to have a wedding in the Smoky Mountains every year for the rest of my life. That would make me happy. Thank you guys for having Matt and I witness this amazing day.