KATE NOELLE PHOTOGRAPHY » ENGAGEMENT

Andrew and Lindsay’s “Will You”

knoelle — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 23:12:01 +0000

I know I’ve said it before, but I’m going to say it again…. I think it’s SO important to be able to laugh. Lately I’ve been noticing the dynamic between couples, both newly married, and couples who’ve been married for years. Everyone has their quirks and bits with their romantic partners, but there are some that have that “special something” that seems to bond them together more than the average couple. As they walk, he says something to poke fun at her. She kind of rolls her eyes with a knowing smirk on her face because she knew what he was going to say before he said it… and comes back with an equally sassy comeback. They both enjoy a good laugh over it, silently holding each other close. Andrew and Lindsay are that couple. She’s sweet, and quietly witty… and he’s got the hearty laugh that makes her smile. He’s a doctor in Loma Linda who moved here from Australia… and he’s an Aussie to the core. She’s studying to be a Marriage and Family Therapist and has a passion for teaching people how to love better. Together they’re Andrew and Lindsay…. that couple everyone’s jealous of because they love each other like they’ve been together for years.

And on their engagement shoot a few weeks ago, we laughed, they told stories, we talked about their dreams and passions…. and we took some sweet pictures to document their love. Here are some of my favorites from the evening at Casper’s Wilderness Park….

Andrew and Lindsay, I hope you feel each others’ love in these photos…. and years from now, as you look back, remember how you were “back then” and how far you’ve come. Keep loving each other.

Brian and Megan’s “Will You”

knoelle — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:57:41 +0000

Megan grew up in San Clemente doing all the things a Socal girl loves…. cross country, swimming, and lifeguarding. Growing up in sunshine and surrounded by beaches… seriously, what could be better? (says yet another product of Southern California lifestyle) She continued on from her San Clemente lifestyle to pursue higher education at some big time San Diego colleges and emerged with a Doctorate in Audiology. She’s smart….. and pretty…. a killer combo, if you ask me.

Brian grew up just a stone’s throw away from San Clemente, in Upland. Surrounded by a very close knit group of friends and family, he enjoyed playing football like any normal kid. He continued on in his own adventure of higher learning at University of La Verne, graduated with a computer science degree, and now works for an airline entertainment engineering company. Just a normal guy who happened to be smart, good looking, and ambitious.

The comfortable normalcy of Brian’s life, however, didn’t last long. Shortly after his graduation, Brian was rushed to the hospital after experiencing random paralysis on his way to work. Doctor’s found an underdeveloped cluster of blood vessels in his brain that had caused the paralysis. After lots of physical therapy and determination, Brian recovered completely. And although he still had some facial droop and difficulty speaking from the accident, he was close to normal again.

Sometime afterwards, Brian and Megan, still in different places in their lives, both joined eHarmony in their search for that special someone to share life with. Their chats were intriguing, and both Megan and Brian felt themselves falling for each other. After two years, and another “bleed”, the time and love they built into each other came to fruition with a proposal… and an excited “YES!”

I love how their individual stories have intertwined and made their relationship story so strong. Brian loves Megan SO MUCH… and Megan just thinks Brian is “the bee’s knees.” And on their engagement shoot a few weeks ago, I couldn’t help but smile at how sweet they are with each other.

Jonathan and Marsha’s “Will You” | An Orange County Engagement Shoot

knoelle — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 23:33:08 +0000

Jonathan and Marsha met on an online dating site and I’m REAL impressed at how perfect they are for each other. She’s sweet and incredibly encouraging, and he’s quietly intelligent with a strength of character that peeks out now and again in conversation. Both love the Lord with all their heart and their relationship is built strong on the rock of that love. Here’s just a snapshot of how amazing these two are…. After taking a few shots at the beginning of their engagement shoot, Jonathan quietly suggests we “pray for the pictures”, and at his suggestion, Marsha excitedly exclaims, “oohh! What a great idea! Yes! Let’s pray for our pictures!” So we circled up, and Jonathan offered a prayer of thanks for such a beautiful evening for photos, and he prayed for a time with me that would glorify God’s name. Marsha chimed in and prayed for me to be able to see them how God sees their love, and that I would be able to document their love in a way that touches hearts. We ended the prayer and continued shooting…. and I left that evening feeling refreshed, completely blessed, and full. It’s not often I meet people like Marsha and Jonathan, and it’s even less often that I get to spend an afternoon chatting, shooting, and getting to know “them.” I pray for more times like that afternoon shoot, and I’m so thankful I’ve had the opportunity to document their love. Here’s my favorites from the evening at Casper’s Wilderness Park and Laguna Beach….

Marsha and Jonathan,

You two are beyond cute together and I’m so excited to shoot your wedding in a few weeks!

Joe and Rachel’s “Will You” | A Sacramento Engagement Shoot

knoelle — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:04:12 +0000

Across the Young Life room, he saw her. She didn’t even notice. He tried to be funny… she still didn’t notice. He persisted…. and months later…. she went on a date with him and was pleasantly surprised to find out he wasn’t who she thought he was. Their friendship continued and blossomed into a romance…. and then he asked her to marry him. After all his hard work, he got the girl of his dreams to give a resounding “yes!” and she couldn’t be happier. Joe and Rachel have such a fun and carefree love, and I had such a blast spending time with them up in Sacramento shooting their engagement photos! Here’s my favorites from our afternoon of adventuring…

Andrew and Liza | An Engagement Shoot |

knoelle — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:28:27 +0000

There are people who are decently smart… just smart enough to get by and still look like they know what’s going on. Then there’s the people who are truly smart and don’t even have to try to look like they know how the world works. I’m pretty sure I fall into the first category, but Andrew and Liza definitely fall into the smart people category. Throughout junior high and high school, I would glance across the classroom at Liza and wonder if she was as confused as I was…. but alas, she would always have this expression of understanding… and her answers confirmed my suspicions… she was just plain smart. Since high school, Liza went off to college and graduated early, only to continue her education in pharmacy school (if there’s a more formal name for it, I don’t know it… case in point) and recently graduated and became a bonafide Pharmacist with a leading US company. Like I said…. she’s smart. Then there’s Andrew, who is probably the most perfect guy for her. Not only is he ridiculously smart, but he oozes a quiet certainty that CONVINCES me that he DEFINITELY knows how the world works. Together, I think they’re going to conquer the world. They met back in high school, and… they’ve been smitten for each other ever since! When she first asked me to be their wedding photographer…. I couldn’t have been more excited and honored, and over the course of their engagement, I’ve gotten to see little snippets of how sweet, how sure, and how deep their love for each other is…. and it makes me giddy inside. Here’s my favorites from their Orange County “Modern meets Country” Engagement Shoot…

Liza and Andrew, this day was so fun and I’m so excited for your San Francisco wedding coming up next month. You two are so cute together and I wish you all the happiness in the world as you begin the transition to man and wife.

Joe and Rachel’s Engagement | A Sneak Peek

knoelle — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:54:19 +0000

I spent the afternoon in Sacramento with these two lovebirds and we had a lot of fun exploring, shooting, laughing, and hugging. More to come!!!

Michael and Jasmin | A Southern California Engagement Shoot

knoelle — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 08:49:59 +0000

She was nothing less than light and energy on our trip through Thailand. She was fearless in trying spicy food, and was up for an adventure any time of the day or night. She let everyone else eat all the peanut butter for breakfast, and was never upset when there was only rice and vegetables to eat in the villages. She loves people relentlessly and, to this day, whenever I see the word “gentleness”, I think of her. I admire her ability to see the world through wonder-filled eyes and the science nerd in me loves that she always wants to know what plants are called and where they come from. Jasmin won my heart the second I met her and I was ECSTATIC when she emailed me saying she’s coming to visit. On this trip, she brought her fiance, Michael… who has pretty much won my heart over just as fast as she did. His humor is “hammer” (the bomb), his rock band style is SO COOL, and his love for Jasmin is enough for me to say, “awwwwwww.” Together, they’re ADORABLE, and I had such a great day shooting their engagement photos with my partner in crime, Betsy Lackey. There are so many I wish to share with you, but here are just a handful of my favorites…

Michael and Jasmin, I feel so lucky to call you friends and I’m so grateful you made the long trek out here from Germany to visit. Your hearts for God inspire me and your fierce love for each other and for those around you challenge me to love differently. May he richly bless you and your upcoming marriage… Ich liebe dich! <3

Laughter

knoelle — Tue, 24 May 2011 20:41:27 +0000

Today, I was inspired by this photo from a recent engagement shoot with Scott and Kate. We could all use a little more laughter in our lives… because really, life isn’t supposed to be serious all the time…. it’s supposed to be enjoyed thoroughly.

Andrew & Molly’s Humboldt Inspired Engagement Shoot

knoelle — Fri, 06 May 2011 03:31:43 +0000

She had just transferred from a university in Boston to Humboldt State University, changed her major completely, and moved across the country. Life was nothing like what she thought it would be, but all the change felt fresh and good. As she walked into yet another new class, unfamiliar faces passed her by in the echoing hallways of the Education building. She took her seat and took a deep breathe. A small smile formed on her lips and a reassurance of His faithfulness warmed her soul. Just then, Andrew walked into the room and made his way to his seat…. a few desks behind Molly. She saw him and all sound left the room. He walked past her without noticing her at all, but she noticed him.

Fast forward to a couple months later, Molly was asked by a teacher to give a special presentation for a class. Unbeknownst to her, Andrew happened to be in that class. And on the day of her presentation, just like he had done everyday for the past few months, Andrew walked into the class room and made his way to his seat without noticing her at all. She gave her presentation, everyone was impressed, the teacher praised her, and Andrew finally noticed.

Fast forward a little while later….. Andrew fell head over heels in love with Molly and asked her out on their first date. Of course, Molly said yes! (and did a happy dance when no one was looking…) And now, after months and months of adventures and romantic dates, they’re engaged to be married. (insert cheers here.)

In planning their engagement shoot, they decided they really wanted to showcase their life in Humboldt county…. the beauty of their surroundings, and their shared passion for elementary education. So I made the long trek up to the tip top of California… a trip that included a big plane, a little plane with propellors, and a car ride through southern Oregon. I’m not usually a road trippin’ kind of girl, but the scenery as we drove from Medford through the Redwoods of the Northern Californian Coast…. it was simply breath-taking. The way the giant Redwoods meet the rocky cliffs of the NorCal coast was such a sight to see…. majestic is a pretty fitting description. I probably looked like a little kid with my fingers and nose pressed up against the car windows, wide eyed and open mouthed at the scenery.

The whole trip was so great and it was such fun to spend time with these two in their stomping grounds. Besides some great home-cooked meals and sight-seeing hikes, I’m pretty sure the engagement shoot itself was the highlight of the trip. (Well… that and almost accidentally hugging a banana slug…. it’s a toss up.) We began the shoot in a greenhouse…. it was AWESOME! Check it out…

From there, we made our way to the park where they had their first date…. not too shabby, if you ask me!

After some quality frolicking and picnicking, we headed back to HSU and ended with the “teacher inspired” portion of the shoot…..

Stay in school….

‘Twas such an amazing trip, an amazing shoot, and two amazing people whom I loved spending a few days with! Andrew and Molly…. it was more than a pleasure and I look forward to shooting your wedding in September!!!

Andrew and Liza’s Engagement | A Sneak Peek

knoelle — Wed, 04 May 2011 06:04:26 +0000

There’s something a little different about this latest engagement shoot. I’ve had quite a few couples requesting rustic and old architecture paired with nature-ish shots, but there’s something really refreshing and exciting about clean lines. This is just a sneak peek, but I had to share my favorites with you because I’m pretty excited with the way they came out…