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…

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.

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!!!

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