If you’re a reader of my blogs (I hope there’s someone out there??!) … I hope that you can get a sense not only for how much I love my job, but for how much I love getting to know each client and their story and sharing it with you.  And for those of you that have seen my blogged sessions I’ve done for my close family and friends… you can probably tell I’m a huge ball of emotion about it.   I usually blame that gene on my Dad’s side of the family … and well… considering the groom-to-be in these images is from that side of the family AND he and I grew up together … well, get the tissues.

Tanner and I grew up together in the same little hometown and have so many incredible (and mostly hilarious) memories.  From spending weekends at our grandparents’ house with our siblings and other cousins making up air guitar band performances to Def Leppard … to family card nights on holidays… to Jason Aldean concerts …  to him choosing me to be his confirmation sponsor (*sniff sniff*)… to helping each other through some tough times… I can’t tell you how much I adore this kid.  And now as adults, his friendship is so important to me, and I always have this “little brother” feeling towards him that makes me want to protect him and make sure that he’s happy.

So when he introduced me to Ashante and I saw the look in his eyes when he did… I knew that happiness wasn’t a question.  At the beginning of their relationship I had a little bit of time with her here and there… but it was a state-long roadtrip across PA to Tanner’s older brother’s wedding where I had the opportunity to truly get to know her and appreciate the things that Tanner loves about her.   She is shy and humble… with a huge, caring heart… and not mention some pretty sweet dance moves when she brings them out (ha!).  But most importantly, she adores my cousin… and for that, I love her the most.

So when they told me that they wanted me to do their engagement photos for them… I absolutely could not wait.    And God love these two….  not only did they drive in all the way from the east coast to get these photos done, they got up at 4am to drive up from her hometown in another part of Ohio so that we could get the nice early morning lighting!  (They will tell you that I slept through my alarm. Don’t listen to them).

I tried to swipe these shoes when she wasn’t looking.

True story. While I was taking some portraits of my (insanely) beautiful future cousin-in-law, we busted some guys walking by trying to take pictures of her with their cell phones.  Half creepy, half flattering… at least they stopped to high five Tanner for snagging such a beautiful girl.

Love this shot. This is how I know these two best.

Sorry, ladies. He’s taken.

You GUYSSSSS….  This was such an amazing morning. Thank you for being all sorts of awesome with your ability to have fun, bear with the cold, change a million outfits, and be this adorable.  I love you both more than you know and am so happy to have captured these images for you, and more importantly, I am so happy to call you both family.  Cheers to another out-of-control family wedding – and to a lifetime of friendship for you both! Love you guys! Until next time…