HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR KATIE

Beauty and grace.  Katie embodies both.  Today she turns 23.  I am so blessed to have her as my friend.  Last year I wrote this piece to commemorate our friendship up until then.  I am happy to report that our friendship has only gotten sweeter since :)

This summer I did a special anniversary photo shoot of her and her husband.  Below is one of my favorite shots of her looking oh-so-lovely.

Happy birthday Katie! I love you and hope you have a wonderful day!

ENGAGEMENT: MICHAEL + JENNIFER

Hey y'all!  I have wonderful news!  This summer I will be photographing... a wedding!  Yay!!!!

I am beyond thrilled that my amazing friends Michael and Jennifer have asked me to be the second shooter at their wedding.  Their love story is a real sweet one and there is nothing better than photographing true love!  Michael and Jen's relationship initially began as a friendship... a friendship that ended up blossoming into a sweet romance.  And this past November, after 7 years of friendship, filled with smiles, sushi, silliness, and surprise flower deliveries, Michael proposed to his best friend Jen and she said "Yes!"

After getting engaged, Jen posted a picture of the two from the very beginning of their friendship side-by-side with a picture from day of the proposal, stating:

"We've both changed and grown in so many different ways in the last 7 years, but the one thing that always remained foundational in our friendship was Jesus Christ.  Our worship of Christ will continue being the foundation as we go into marriage. :)"

Last spring, Michael posted a link on Jen's Facebook with 22 descriptions of Marital Love, and commented, "really really great list. we should pray through one a day haha."  Now, if their marriage looks anything at all like that list, I know these two will be in for a long, beautiful marriage and a happy, blessed life together as husband and wife.  I am sooo excited for your wedding, Michael and Jen!

Below are a few photos I snapped this Fall, just prior to their engagement.  Although these are not their formal engagement photos, I wanted to share them with y'all as we look forward to their upcoming wedding!

GRATITUDE

If you follow any of my social media feeds you'll have noticed by now that I've been posting a daily photo via Instagram with the hashtag #30daysofgratitude and have probably wondered what that is all about.  Well, in honor of Thanksgiving being this month, and because there are 30 days in November, I wanted to challenge myself to stop at least once a day and document what I'm thankful for.  That's it, nothing fancy.  It hasn't always been easy but somehow, everyday, before the clock has struck midnight, I've remembered to stop and share something!  It has forced me to realize how much there is to be grateful for and how much I take things for granted or somehow feel entitled to them because I have never had to go without them.

This wasn't some original idea I had, I saw it on the instagram feeds of a few of my amazingly inspirational friends and naturally was inspired to join them in expressing my gratitude everyday.  Hopefully you've also been able to learn a little bit more about my life these past 22 days (and beyond) and what fires me up too.

Today I will be enjoying a Thanksgiving feast with my family and thanking God because He is the one to whom I owe my gratitude.  And He has been so incredibly generous and kind to me this year: in my marriage, in my journey into photography, and in my own personal growth this year.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! -Psalm 107:1

Happy Thanksgiving from me to you!

COUPLE: JUSTIN + KATIE

It's a new month!  And I have a new anniversary shoot to share with you today! Hooray!

Justin and Katie celebrated two years of marriage this summer and kindly let me photograph them to mark the special occasion.  We spent a sunny Saturday afternoon strolling through the neighborhood.  First we headed to the local farmer's market and enjoyed samples of the fresh produce and cheeses, picked up some flowers, and enjoyed the lovely warm weather.  Later on, the happy couple had a picnic on the grass, surrounded by some of their favorite reads and fresh treats.

It was a real pleasure to spend a day documenting these two lovebirds.  Katie is a true beauty and as you will see, her husband Justin makes her oh-so-happy. Enjoy!

To Justin and Katie: 2 years of a beautiful union and you are just getting started!  Thank you for letting me share this small glimpse of your sweet marriage.  Kurt and I are grateful for your friendship!