The apple blossom trees were in full bloom during Vanessa and Dixon’s shoot.

The only thing we know about Vanessa and Dixon is that they love banana-oreo-vanilla-peanut butter milkshakes. The rest is a mystery.

It was so much fun that Rachael and Jim brought along their wonderful dog.

Rachel and Jim were brought together by the Blackhawks the night they won the Stanley Cup. They ended up in the same place because of mutual friends and Rachel noticed Jim and his “gorgeous smile” as she calls it right when she walked in. Although Jim had his eyes glued to the game, and Rachel left early because of class in the morning, Jim made a point to approach their mutual friend after Rachel had left and ask her number. It was later that week that they planned their first date!

Rachael says she loves that “we can do anything together and have fun whether it’s a night in or a night out or a Saturday morning spending time with our dog.” I was lucky enough to witness this in person during their engagement shoot. They were SUCH a fun couple, which made them so easy to shoot. They even brought along their newly adopted dog, Jade! We got some beautiful shots of the three of them with the fall colors as well as stunning pictures of Rachael and Jim on the Stone Arch Bridge and down on the banks of the Mississippi. I cannot wait to see what new kind of fun you bring to your wedding!

“I-94 between Chicago and Marine on St.Croix saw thousands of miles from both Cody’s green pickup and Sarah’s trusty Ford Taurus.” This is what Sarah told me with a playful giggle, and it proves that even when they lived hundreds of miles away from one another, these two couldn’t stand to be apart. This is when you know you’ve found the one; when even though you are hundreds of miles apart, your true love makes it feel as if there is no distance that can separate you. You got lucky, Sarah and Cody!

Their love story was one that was traveled just like the long stretch of highway road that separated them. Eventually it would lead them to each together, but it would take a few miles and a few years before they realized they belonged together. They first met in 3^rd grade in Mrs. Wistricill’s classroom. It was their freshman year of high school, at 15 years old, that they would share their first kiss. But the lane to their love wouldn’t find them again until 2012, the summer before Sarah started medical school. Nursing broken hearts and failed past relationships, the two found solace in one another. Cody would convince Sarah that after years of friendship they should give each other another shot. As they navigated that stretch of pavement and the distance that separated them, so to did they navigate their relationship and eventually, they just knew…

When I arrived in downtown Chicago to shoot Sarah and Cody’s engagement photos, I knew that they were absolutely meant for one another. I loved when we were shooting in Millennium Park. There are so many great backdrops here, and we took some photos in places we probably shouldn’t have. As they always say, “it’s better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission!” I’m so pumped to photograph even more of your unique love at your wedding!

C and K have something not every couple can claim: an amazing lighthearted silliness that they enjoy so much about one another. For their first date, K chose to take C to “Underwater World” at the Mall of America and the instant spark between these two had them acting like little kids and goofing around from the get-go. C said she knew K was special when he didn’t hesitate to wear funny hats and take selfies in the gift shop. Don’t be surprised if you hear one of these two break out into an original song or start darting around like a cat; these two know what it means to have fun. In these moments, they just look at each other and say “At least you’ll never be bored!”

The connection between these two is so strong that they even make up words when none currently exist for the way they’re feeling. Early on in their relationship they decided they were “in like” with one another, however this quickly grew to “more than like” and the word Moke was born. This word has been a big part of their relationship ever since and it is rumored to be a big part of the wedding as well.

When I met C and K for their engagement shoot, their silliness was alive and well. They both have an amazing sense of humor and were constantly laughing throughout the entire session. At one point, they mentioned to me that they were really hoping to have a snowy engagement shoot. Although we hadn’t gotten much snow at the time, C and K decided that in order to capture this “snowy” essence, they would fashion a tiny little snowman to take pictures with. This is just proof of the fun loving, carefree, silly nature of these two. During the shoot, we went inside the Guthrie in Minneapolis and because of the cloudy sky, the lighting made for beautiful and artistic indoor photos. These two were such a pleasure to shoot! Congratulations you two, I know your wedding is going to be a blast.

I was blown away by Vonnie and Boone’s beautiful family.

Vonnie and Boone have created such a beautiful family together. They met back in high school, when Vonnie was 16 and Boone was 18, but lost touch afterwards until 15 years later when they ran into each other at a birthday party. After this, it was as if they could not escape one another. They continued to bump into each other around town and now they’ve been a couple for 6 years, have built a house, and have three beautiful children together. Fate is responsible for bringing these two back together! Boone proposed to Vonnie in front of her entire family, which was Vonnie’s idea of a perfect proposal. Clearly these two are meant for one another.

At their engagement shoot, this became evidently clear. The family they’ve created together had me in awe. They brought their kids to the shoot, and they were so well behaved. Grandma came along as well to watch the kids, and we got shots of the whole family in the beginning. Vonnie’s oldest daughter was so mature and very helpful. The whole family just had the greatest dynamic, and their intense love for one another was apparent to anyone. My favorite moment of the day was when the whole family was together and the kids were running around and everyone was laughing and having a good time. The whole thing just felt so carefree! A lot of times, parents are stressed out during photo shoots with their children, however Vonnie and Boone were so at ease, just having a blast with the amazing family they’ve raised. After the family photos, I had some time to shoot Vonnie and Boone alone and continued to be in awe of their relationship. I can’t wait to meet the rest of the family at the wedding! Congrats you two, you’ve built a beautiful life together and I know that it will only get better from here.