Leslie and Marshall’s day was absolutely perfect in every single way. I’ve gotten to follow along with their relationship from the beginning, as they have trusted me to document their first pictures together as a couple, to their  river-side engagement pictures at a local nature reserve, to finally, their beautiful July wedding day. Leslie knew she wanted a gorgeous, yet less traditional, venue for her wedding day, so she settled on the Maytag Event Complex in Newton, Iowa, just outside of Des Moines. This stunning historic warehouse was home to a Maytag washing machine factory many years ago, and has since been converted into a multi-level event venue, filled with natural light and vintage details.

“I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages.” – Charles Spurgeon

These words, spoken by the British preacher Charles Spurgeon, encapsulate well the lessons I learned in my time in Greece this summer. I left on June 25th, filled with nervous excitement, with absolutely no idea what adventures laid before me. I returned yesterday, July 16th, and the past twenty three days have held adventure, growth, joy, tears, and so much of the nearness of Jesus. 

I don’t know about y’all, but goodness, I am the WORST ever about printing pictures. Being a wedding and engagement photographer, you would think that I would have printed photographs displayed all throughout my home. However, the opposite of that is true. I spend so much time clicking and capturing photos, that I rarely take the time to print images to display. Truly, this is a tragedy, and I have seen this trend with so many other people around me – I know it’s noooot just me who has this problem! We download our gallery and change our phone wallpaper and facebook profile picture, but then our stunning photos stay simply as digital pixels, instead of becomingming meaningful, lasting, tangible memories as pieces of art in our homes.

Alyssa summed it up perfectly at the end of the evening as we walked back to the venue: “I’m going to cry because it’s over and because this was the happiest day of my life.” It truly was a joyful, beautiful, and happy-tear-filled day as friends and family gathered to celebrate the new Mr. and Mrs. DiCrasto.

Truly, there’s not much I can say about these pictures – the photos themselves say it all. 

Dennis and Deb have been married for forty-six years. Forty. Six. Years. Truly, they are #goals. As you can see from their precious photos, they are still just as in love with life and with each other as they were the day they said “I do.” Forty six years of laughter and love are evident all through these images, from the laugh lines as a result of years of joy to the hands still wearing the rings promising a commitment to always. Their long legacy of love speaks for itself. 

Oh my lanta, where do I even begin with these two? They’ve been there through it all. They were the very first couple I ever photographed, and they were sooooo very very patient with me in my beginning moments, allowing me to practice on them as I grew. Over the past few years, my photography skills and business have grown and flourished, and so has their love for each other. 

Since Jen and I connected online, I had never met Jen or Kohl before this shoot but the instant we met them, I felt like we were friends. These two got married only two and a half months ago, and their love for each other is SO very evident. They are passionate about Jesus and about each other – the whole time they were either talking about each other or their walks with the Lord. It was so sweet to witness!

They started out as friends working in the same office and before we knew it, they were engaged. It has been so special getting to watch their relationship grow this year, and I cannot wait for their wedding in July.

Goodness gracious, I’m convinced these two are secretly models. Mackenzie was my freshman year roommate, and I couldn’t be more excited for her to marry the man of her dreams in August. Josiah treasures her so very deeply, and you can tell in the way he speaks of her, looks at her, and sacrificially cares for her. 

I thought we were going to take pictures for Alex’s portfolio, but instead we learned how to make ceramics from this incredible artist friend of mine (he tells me his official title is “potter” but I think that makes him sound like an 80 year old man, ya know?). Anyways, I’m quitting photography now to study ceramics so enjoy these pictures of art because WOW.

These cutie lovers made my heart SWOON during their sunset session in Cedarville, Ohio. As they laughed and played, their tender love for each other was so highly evident. Leslie kept giggling as she teasingly tickled her boyfriend and he worked hard (unsuccessfully) to keep a stoic face despite her antics. They are simply so comfortable together and cherish one another so well.

// just the highlights of a wonderfully full, wonderful year //

To every single individual, family, couple, or senior who trusted me to document your special moments this year, thank you. Truly. You make this dream of mine a reality and I could not be more deeply thankful for the honor of being chosen to capture and preserve your memories.  

2017, you’ve been a dream.