Kara and Derrick (Pennsylvania Wedding)

"I was a little girl alone in my little world
Who dreamed of a little home for me.
I played pretend between the trees,
And fed my houseguests bark and leaves, and laughed in my pretty bed of green.

I had a dream"

priscilla ahn - dream

It wasn't rainy, but the sun was definitely winning a game of hide-and-seek with the earth - tucked away behind many clouds.  I pulled up to the large plot of land where Kara, the bride, lived.  Also the home her grandma grew up in.  Also the home to her neighbor (which are her aunts, uncles and cousins.)  I loved it instantly.  The entire place was filled with family, memories and love.
Kara is the oldest of six children, and the first to get married.  It really was a family affair - all the kids were glowing with excitement!

Everyone wanted to help with the dress. Everyone wanted to help with the flowers.  Everyone wanted to comment on how amazing Kara looked.  Everyone was involved.  It was noisy, joyful, excited cheer and I loved it!

When it was time to leave the church, Kara climbed into her best friends car.  How many times must they have done that?  Jumped in to head to a movie, or to go shopping, or to run some errands.  I do it with my friends!  And someday we'll jump in to head to their wedding.  The unity was precious :D

We drove to picture perfect small town USA.  I was freaking out.  The small Pennsylvania city was dotted with old homes, basic restaurants and pick-up trucks.  The brick church-turned-theater happily sat in the middle of town.

Charming, huh?

The best friends chatted and smiled and giggled as we walked the streets.  I had only met Kara that morning, but I loved how instantly "home" I felt.  There wasn't drama or "diva" going on.  There were friends celebrating with another friend.  There was love and joy. 



This is the bride's littlest sister, Ruby.  She is mini-Kara and it was super sweet watching her watch Kara.

I mean, look at her.  The girl was shining.  Amazing. She was as happy as a... I can't even think of what to compare her to.

You know newborn horses when they finally get the hang of running?  And they just frolick and leap and randomly dash all through the field?  That's how Kara was.  A happy little bubbling mess.  Not stressed, not bothered, just purely happy.

BABE.

We seriously got some killer sunshine on a day that was supposed to pour. Yay!

And now we meet Derrick!  The man. Dun dun duuuun. The man who stole Kara's heart. Dun dun duuuun. Derrrrick.

Here's the scoop: Remember Kara's best friend?  Who drove her to the wedding in the red car? Sweet.Kara's best friend got married two years ago.  Best friend's husband has a brother.  Brother's name is Derrick.  So two best friends married brothers.
Isn't that adorable?!

He is so in love with Kara.  And their friends are like the "relationship cheerleaders."  All day there were squeals and "yay's!" and laughing and excitement.



And of course, Derrick and Kara were ridiculously happy themselves.

I love how he is SO her man. He takes care of her, holds her and really is her knight in shining armor.

(mmm. pretty pretty.)

With so much family and celebration taking place, the pre-ceremony wait was extra enjoyable.  For some reason I love this shot to describe it.  Kara in the bathroom doing last minute details, a bridesmaid running around to help, and the two cousins bouncing and screeching like little girls at a Jonas Brothers concert.  Everyone was SO excited.
I also loved Dad with Ruby.  Kara was on the other side of the room waiting, and Ruby just talked and laughed on Dad's lap.  I bet that is a surreal moment for any father.  

I hope I smile as much as she did when I get married.  The girl was just happy.  Linked on her dad's arm just about to...... get married and leave linked on her husband's arm.  Ps.  How sweet are all the children?!  I wish you could hear the excitement.
A best friend moment:
As we headed to the reception, the rain started to come down, but we had to take some more pictures.



These two were just too romantic and adorable.
By the way, Kara, you looked amazing.  Derrick is a lucky guy :D
I really am SO thrilled for you both and it was just buckets of happiness being at your big day.  I'm so happy that you are so happy.  I love your Facebook statuses about being married and how much you love it.  I love your solid foundation in God and your commitment first to Him, and then to each other.  It's stunningly beautiful.

You guys seem like you have found "home." Congratulations!

ps. Special thanks to Jessica Shae for shooting with me!

Hannah and Mark {Maryland Wedding}

A few weeks ago I got to shoot alongside Kenny Kim!  Um, holla holla hollllllllaaaaaa!  We had a blast (er, I hope we did.  I thought we did!)  The bride, Hannah, is a graphic designer so the day started on a lovely note with invitation details:

See the two dogs in the invite? ^Yeah, they are basically Hannah's children ;)


One more invite detail - I LOVED them!

Then we strolled outside for some morning sunshine :D The colors were delicious.





Then it was almost time for the ceremony :D

I stole Peter Bang's cutie-pie-kids away for a few shots before the ceremony... Aren't they so sweet?

It's fun to second-shoot on focus on new things from the day:





LOVE this one:

And I just love nothing more then the moments before the bride walks down the aisle.  I think it's my favorite part of the whole entire wedding.



Aw, everyone has such an emotional face.  Precious.

Symbolism much?



Besides sharpening, this is straight-out-of-camera! *Smile*

And now they are marrrrrried.  I adore it.






(I didn't realize I shot so many verticals.  Whatever.  I had to move quick. haha)






And we'll end on a tasty note!  Isn't that such a cute candy-buffet?!
Congratulations Mark + Hannah!  And thanks for having me Kenny :D  ps. Check out Kenny's new book!Here is the crew! Aren't we fly?  Kenny Kim, Paul Barrios (see his shots from the wedding here!), muah!, and Peter Bang :D

Bill + Bethy {West Chester Engagement}

"you steal away the rain and just like that:
you make me smile like the sun
fall out of bed, sing like bird
dizzy in my head."
smile - uncle kracker

I met Bethy when I was a boy-ish, un-make-up-ed and very chatty 10th grader.  We hit it off well (though I was always jealous of her good looks and easy charm.)  Her family moved a whole three hours away to West Chester, PA.  And that, dear friends, is the city where she met and fell in love with Bill.


We talked about Bill a lot the last five years.  Well, not Bill himself but "Bill" - the unknown man who Bethy would marry.  Who would he be and where would he come from? We didn't know.

In a beautiful but simple small-town romance, they met at work.  Making sandwiches and soup together.  They liked each other, started dating and then loved each other.  Most of their relationship was spent in Bethy's house with her family.  Gathered around an episode of "Psych" or woot-wooting during a Red Sox game, they became inseparable. 

Bethy was falling in love, her family adored the boy and he, well, he was quite smitten with the blonde, giggly, sandwich-maker beside him on the couch.

So, how does the song go? "If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it! OhohOH!" On a cozy winter night, Bethy was summoned to run some family errands, and while she was gone Bill prepared the family room.  Candles, a slideshow to "their" song, and a video camera.  Bethy came home from errands to an empty but glowing room.  As the video started to play, she teared up and giggled and looked around for her man.  He finally came out from hiding with the ring, and as he asked her to be his wife they both burst into tears.  (I'm so glad they recorded it. The video is adorable.)

And now they get to make sandwiches for each other forever ;)

I've only met Bill a few times, but what I love the most about their relationship is how much they enjoy each other.  They don't bicker or mean-tease.  They just laugh and laugh and laugh.  Then cuddle and hug.  Then more laughing. 

I want to be Bill-and-Bethy-happy when I get married.  They are annoyingly cute, sappy-gushy, young and care-free and I think it's rather wonderful.  Both of them have such solid foundations and have learned how to really serve someone else; to consider another more important then themself.  They give to each other as pure joy!  I love watching them interract.  New hobby! haha

I hope you guys always look at each other that way:

Bethy, I'm so happy you have him.

And Bill, I'm so happy you get to marry her.



Bill really is a man - even though he is young, he has some serious character.  He works hard, he takes roles seriously and he loves Bethy hard.  It's not easy to be a diligent, committed, honest man but Bill really is.

And you won't meet a sweetheart more loveable then Bethy.  She loves God, family and funny stories.  I don't say this casually: I have never seen her in a bad mood.  She is consistently joyful and consistently serving.  That's hard as well. 

Very impressive these two, verrrrry impressive ;D



And we'll end with my personal favorite pictures:

Enjoy the slideshow!  And enjoy your couch time tonight ;) I love you guys!

Merissa + Mike {Engagement Session}

"Gimme that girl with her hair in a mess
Sneaky little smile with her head on my chest"
joe nichols - that girl

It was an ordinary youth group night and Mike (big macho friendly athlete Mike) walked into the church doors.  An adorable smile inside a happy face welcomed him.  "She is cuuuuUuute" Mike thought as he walked in.  Duh she was cute.  Little Miss Sophomore Athlete Darling Merissa was very cute :D

Though their highschools were arch rivals, Mike and Merissa became acquaintance-friends and somehow through the rest of highschool and the first two years of college they kept in touch.  Ah, hold.  Remember the "athlete" part of them?  Both talented lacrosse players, they went to Division 1 colleges to play - Vanderbilt for her, Villanova for him.  So they kept in touch long distance... ah! Well done, wellllll done.

Sophomore year of college ended and all the students were headed home for the summer.  Guys being guys were asking each other about any girls they wanted to see blah blah blah.  Mike announced that yes, yes there was a girl he wanted to see.  She was a cute one and he wanted to see her.

He was looking forward to seeing if the solid friendship he and Merissa had developed could become a crushship.  Cause he was kind of crushin ;)

Merissa, on the other hand, was not looking for a boy.  She was determined to stay single until she graduated.  No boys.  No drama.  No hurt.  Way to go girl!  She wanted to focus and enjoy college.  And she was ESPecially determined not to have a little summer fling while on break. Uh uh, nooo way.

*Cue cute bubbly piano music*
Summertime hang-outs in Columbia, Maryland were exactly what summertime hang-outs should be.  Everyone was enjoying seeing each other and catching up.  Mike got his brave on and asked Merissa to ice cream.  Crush ice cream for him, friend ice cream for her.  During the ice cream date slash friend-catch-up (whatever the heck it was), Mike suggested to Merissa they should get dinner sometime.

Ah! Finally.  That is clearly a date. And what did Merissa say...?"Yah!  That would be so fun!  I'll invite some friends!"

Ouch.
Guess who isn't crushin'!
But never fear, after hanging out in groups and kind of hinting more and more at the "I like you and don't treat other girls like this" angle, Mike asked Merissa to a movie!  For whatever reason this girl was in denial.  He doesn't like me.  I don't like him.  I don't want a boyfriend.  We don't like each other. Yadda yadda yadda ;)

Merissa thought she was going out with a friend, and Mike thought he was going out on a date.  The dear guy.

Everyone else seemed to think it was perfect!  Everyone else was a fan!  They were perfect together.  Great personalities, love for the Lord, awesome athletes.  Just lovely.

So they get their snacks, find their seats, settle into the movie and Mike's nerves are finally settling down.  The last thing he was focusing on was the movie and he eventually got the guts to put his hand on his date's knee...

... where she promptly wiped it off and laughed "What are you doing?! Haha we aren't dating!"
Re-telling this story Mike clenched his fists and put his head down and looked so rejected just remembering it.  Merissa really made him work :D

But finally all the peices fell into place, and she finally "got" it.  She also finally admitted that maybe she did want a boy - if it was this one.  Maybe she could like someone over the summer - if that someone was Mike.   He finally knew she liked him one night at a friends.  He tried to put his hand on her knee again - and she let him.  He did it!

Now these two little loveheads are planning a wedding.  I love them.  The only picture Merissa specifically asked for was one of them hugging in sweatshirts.
"That's my favorite," she expained.  "It's so snuggly. I just love hugging him."  So they hugged snuggly for a bit and I snapped away.  I love them hugging.

I think it's too cute how Mike just wants to kiss and wrap around Merissa.
I think it's so sweet how they act like 10th grade kids during summer together.

It's cute how perfect they fit together.

And it's cute how when I tell Mike to "look at her!" he has to bend all the way around and look right into her eyes.
There was even one point in their story-telling when they both looked straight at each other, totally stopped talking, smiled, muttered some lines about a friend of a friend, and just gave each other a quick squeeze.

They distract each other and it's very sweet.

I am exciting for their big day!  It's coming in just a few months - and Mike will officially be the husband of the cute, knee-swatting, lacrosse-playing Merissa! Yay!

Enjoy the slideshow :D

When dandelions were beautiful

Summer always has always been my favorite season.  It was one of the first truly hot days of the year, and I was four years old.  My dad came home from work and put on a horrible 80's t-shirt (it was too big) and basketball shorts (I always thought they were too small.)  He took all of us kids out to the neighboring field to run around and be merry.  My shoes stayed nestled into the various places I "kept" them - you know, under my bed, under my mom's bed, in the yard, wherever I wanted really.

We raced to the field - "GUYS! Don't run ahead of me!" (Dad's were always such fun-ruiners when it came to crossing streets) - and once there I remember seeing a cloak of dandelions.   The field that stretched as far as my eye could see had been transformed into a yellow blanket of all things that are good and honorable.  A blanket of dandelions.  I couldn't count them all! And I certainly couldn't pick them all and put them in a vase (or plastic cup) and give them to my mom as a present!

It was as gorgeous and breath-taking a scene as that little four year old could have imagined.

I ran barefooted and lighthearted through the field and picked flowers, and squished them in my dirty little fingers.  I rolled down the hill and stained my cute dress with awful weed yellow and lawn green.  The dandelions made me so happy.

Dandelions don't really have that effect on me anymore.  I wish they did.  In fact, I don't think I have thought about dandelions in...well, it must be years!  I never think about dandelions and their happiness.  But today I was baby-sitting a little girl and we went for a walk.  I was pushing her on her bike and she gasped.  She slammed her chubby ankles into the pedals to stop the bike.  She evacuated the bike.  Away she went, running down the sidewalk, where she stopped at one lone dandelion.

In one careful but deadly swoop she ripped the weed out of the ground and took it's flowery head to her bike basket - grinning like a goober.  "Dees are my fwowers. See? Dees dees are my fwowers." She dropped the new dandelion in with the wilting old dandelions.  You would have thought she had diamonds in that pink basket. Oh my the girl was so happy!



We safely closed the dandelions into her tricycle and rattled on down the path.  She couldn't wipe that goofy grin off her face and every few sidewalk squares she would have to check over her shoulder and make sure the box of flowers was still there.  It was. Don't worry.
Enjoy your dandelions (children, laundry, traffic, etc) today, folks.  They are happy things. I know they are weeds (trouble, hassle, stress, etc), but don't worry about that - just enjoy them like a little girl would.

Daniel + Lesley {Wedding Newton White Mansion}

Boy, I hear you in my dreams

I feel your whisper across the sea

I keep you with me in my heart

jason mraz - lucky

Newton White Mansion was impressively charming last weekend.  The naked trees and cold light gave character to the estate.   The mansion hosted Lesley + Daniel's vow renewal.   The day and location described this couple to a T: Honorable, refined and yet whimsical and fun.  It was a shocking 70 degree March day, and the crispy, leaf-less trees added a stark contrast to the exciting blue sky.

Lesley and Daniel are a smooth blend of regal respectability, and light-hearted good times.  They are both in the US Navy and have been married for a year, so that they can be sent to the same place.  Well, they are married because they are in love :D  But they had a simple beach wedding last year in order to stay stationed together.  Amidst moves, school and work these two pulled off a lovely "wedding" to re-new vows and to celebrate with their family and friends.


All of Lesley's details matched her PERfect.  Classic, stunning red roses: historically gorgeous.

A Melissa Sweet gown re-made in Hong Kong for $300: daringly practical.


And her spicey blue Steve Madden pumps? Psh, fabulously awesome!

The first time we met, I loved Lesley's easy-going personality that trusted other people.  She knew what she was looking for, but she never expected anyone to be a "Lesley-pleaser."  We talked and told stories and I heard her repeat over and over how she wanted her wedding to be abour family, friends and celebration.  Her mom did her hair, she did her make-up and called it a day.  No diva, no drama, no freak-out. 

I'm not bashing brides who hire people to help them get ready (cause everyone knows I definitley will hire someone!) but I loved how just went with the flow.  Having the maturity of a woman who has been married for a year, she didn't let little things annoy her.

Her "getting ready room" was honestly FILLED with guests and friends who wanted to pop in and say hi.  She was never flustered. In fact, she usually greeted them with a huge smile and hug.  She loved being surrounded by these dear loved ones.

My favorite part of the day was after she was "officially" all ready.  Dress, shoes, make-up, veil.  Done. Boom. Roasted.

She came out to show all her adoring fan-friends and everyone burst into tears.  iPhone cameras clicked, noses sniffed, fingers patted and hands were placed over hearts as everyone collectively celebrated with Lesley.  They were so happy and so was she.

We all decided we needed to gather ourselves back up, and move along :D  So we ran outside for some fun pictures!  Isn't Lesley a babe?  I can't get enough of these shots - especially those killer blue feet! LOVE!
Forget the Big East, I'm a happy fan :D

Before we knew it, it was ceremony time.  There were promises, tears, hand-holds, kisses and cheers from the guests.  Delightful and simple :D

Ah!  I love it!  Classy and happy!  What a lovely exit :D

I have to tell ya, there is nothing quite as easy as shooting a comfortable, smiling couple! 

I want their eyes.
Def a favorite!

I love that they could just laugh the day away together.  Daniel didn't calm Lesley down, he added to her joy.  And Lesley didn't annoy him, just made him grin like a fool ;)
I was looking through their pictures and it's really one after another of them smiling at each other, laughing together or... kissing. Haha I guess that's how love should be!



Aw :D Cuddddlesss!

I think she wanted to stay there all day :D

Location win!  Even though I'd love the beaches of San Diego, you have to respect the historic beauty the east coast rocks.  I love it!

After we finished our super-eays, super-happy shoot, Daniel and Lesley skipped into the reception where a crowd of happy family and friends waited to celebrate some more.  It was exactly what Lesley hoped for and it was truly a perfect day :D

Mike + Amanda Rae {Married Photography}

"just like little girls and boysplaying with their little toysseems like all they really were doingwas waiting for a love"regina spektor - real love"I was in love with him. Who wouldn't be? Oh yeah, I was crazy about him."  Mike was Amanda's heart-throb.  Her main squeeze.  Basically a celebrity crush, but he was living, alive and in her life as opposed to a face printed on a poster in her room.  Mike was real and she was a smitten kitten.

And by sixteen she was taken off the market by cool, suave, studly Mike.  These two have been together for 10 years and are as happy as can be :DThey have that annoyingly perfect "fit" everyone dreams of.  Their style, their conversation, their size - they just fit.They laugh and they banter and they give each other "the" look and they are Tony-the-Tiger greeeeeat!Laura Marchbank s teamed up with Justin + Mary and their charity Portrait House to raise money for those in need.  At WPPI a group us got to do a charity shoot!  Amanda and Mike just so happened to be the "engaged couple" (Sssh.  They have been married for a while.)We ran around a golf course, capturing their loooOoove. Cause they are in looOOoove ;)And they are hottie-McTottiesThey actually modeled for Chenin Boutwell + Wedding Chicks StyleLab .  So you may recognize them from there ;)Amanda is an amazing photographer in the Southern Cal area and she and her man just released their new "promo" video.  It's just stunning.  I'm jealous.  I have a crush on their video .  Please go see it !
You two were so fun!  Thanks for  driving me to the hotel, not being mad when I forgot my wallet and having lunch with me!  Y'all are great :D

Film {Florida}

Alright everyone.  We know it's back and more fabulous then ever.It's the mark of cool.If you aren't a part of the rage, you are so lame.  Film is BACK. Ladies and gentleman. Film is back.  Anybody who is anybody these days is rocking their film.  All film, partial film, actions that make it look like film.  I wanna be cool tooOOoo!

When I was stranded in Florida with Dre+Becca (who took some of these awesome pics), I decided to be cool, ok? I want to be on the band-wagon!  I'm not going to lose touch with the current trends!  I am going to do a blog post with film!
But in all honesty, film is fun.  And completely beautiful and I respect photographers that are brave enough to try film, and skilled enough to know what they are doing.

I'm perfectly happy with a Kodak disposable camera, and lots of memories with my friends :D
Ta-ta for now!  I'm in Vegas for WPPI and I have things to do!  People to see (lie)!  And food to eat! Ba-bye!

Shuttle Launch {Florida}

I'm not a fan of sci-fi.  I really don't like it.  I don't care what people say, Star Wars is lame.  I'm sorry. But real outer-space? Now that is really cool.


I mentioned in my "stranded in Florida" post that we got to see the space shuttle, Endeavor, launch into space.  Here's the 411. The DL.  The full-scoop on that experience ;D

Part of the best thing about an "accidental" vacation is that you really have NO plans.  We had our faces and our rental car, and Florida was our oyster.  So one day, as we headed to the beach, we saw lots of RV's camping out along the highway.  After a quick iPhone google, we discovered that the last night-time launch ever in the space program was going to be happening that night!  We (after a little debate) decided to go to the 4:14 am launch. Um, yeah. 4:14 am.  I haven't seen that hour... since... probably when I needed to get a drink of water in the middle of the night last year.  It was early.  Since our hotel was over an hour away from the launch site, we decided to just keep busy.  Target shopping, late dinner, more Target shopping, late movie and then some waiting (and sleeping in the back of the car for me ;D) at the launch site.  So sadly, the launch was called off 9 minutes before it went up.  Major bummer.  Not as big a bummer for us as it was for the astronauts who were all strapped in, but still a bummer.  We rolled back to our hotel at about 6:11 am and slowly stumbled and oozed our way to bed.  The next night, at 2:00 am we got back in the car and prayed it wouldn't be canceled again!


Everything looked good, so I happily grabbed my 200 prime lens as we waited.  After taking a quick "tester" picture, I was truly disappointed when I saw this:

I was like "Man!  We aren't going to be able to see anything!  We came all this way and it's just a little speck!"

The flight deck was counting down on the radios, the silhouettes of people wrapped in blankets decked the hill, Dre, Becca and I had our cameras and iPhones ready - and I was still "hmph-ing" about how far away we were.

Everyone.  Don't worry.  When a space shuttle launches... you can see it.  Don't worry

The fire from that blast literally lights the area for MILES.  It was complete darkness, then complete day-time light in seconds.  It was insanity.  I can't believe that really happens. 

And, oh manny, that ship FLEW. 

After it went into "turbo launch" we couldn't see it anymore.  Boom. 10 seconds. Gone.

By the time we had gotten into our cars and turned around to head back, the shuttle was over Spain.  RIDICulous.  That was such an awesome memory and truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

Brandon + Tamara {Tremont Grand Baltimore Wedding}

"I don't wanna be just friends, noI don't want another girl
Cause you're the only one I love"just friends - jason reeves
Are you breezing through this post real quick?  Because that's fine.  But this is just a solid, no joke, GOOD story.  You should probably take it slow and let their story seize you.  
Tamara was a cheerleader and an 8th grader.  She was a spirited, blonde, All-American girl - what 7th grade boy didn't have a secret crush on her?  They all did.  You know it.  And Brandon suuure did.  He really liked her.  Imagine his awkward, adolescent joy when Tamara actually agreed to go out with him! He was a lucky, excited and confident fellow.  He got Tamara to date him.
In a completely predictable and normal turn of events, Tamara called things off before the monumental and historic two week anniversary. Ohhh burned! She wanted to stay friends though.  Hm.  I feel like that doesn't help.  You are 12, your upper-lip is all scabby from bad-shaving, your pants really are too short but you're too unaware to do anything about it and the girl you like wants to be "friends." As Jason Reeves sings, "Those two words are bullets in my chest - just friends."  In an uncharacteristically brilliant move on this 7th graders part, Brandon decided that, yes, he'd liked to be friends.  Cheer-leading, heart-suffocating, smile-making 8th-grader Tamara wants to be friends with him? Deal. Done.  He was in.

So, they were friends.  Despite Brandon's "unchanged affections."  They laughed their way through middle school, and then high school.  College-years moved them around a bit, and they were rarely, if ever, in the same state.  However, they did a good job keeping in touch.  
Brandon always had Tamara there in his mind, but considering how adamant she was that they were "just friends" he tried to move on.  But no other girl was Tamara - simple as that. Let's face it, she is pretty awesome.   I didn't get a chance to meet her before the wedding, which isn't my preference, but my goodness... if there was a ever a bride to meet "day of," it's Tamara.  She effortlessly mixes an out-going excitement for life and a peaceful, calm demeanor.   I want to be friends with Tamara!
My heart honestly warmed as I watched her get ready.  She was too happy for her own good :D  But hold... how did we get to wedding day?  We need to flip back to the story.
 So they met in 1999 and it was now 2008.  Tamara was still in school and doing cheer, and Brandon was working in Florida.  She had always promised she would come visit him, but never had.  Not that she was avoiding it, but the trip just hadn't happened. Untillllll, an over-booked flight in Boston.  She kindly gave her seat to a stranger and took her free flying voucher to anywhere in the country.   The bustle of life swept that voucher out of her mind, but right before it expired she remembered she had it. In a random, last-minute decision, she decided to keep her promise and see her middle-school buddy down in Florida.   You know what's coming, don't you?  He picked her up at the airport and it was like love at first sight!  Hugs, tears and instant romantic connection! Not.It was the same story right there in the airport in Florida as it always had been.  Brandon liked her - really at this point loved her - and she thought of him as her dear friend, nothing more.   After enjoying each other's company for a week, Tamara headed back home.  Brandon was torn.  He had tried with her... he really, really had.  Hadn't she realized how great they were together?  How much fun they had?  How they could talk for hours?  But after almost 10 years of trying with this girl, Brandon needed to let her go.  His heart couldn't take it anymore.  She was too good and he couldn't have her.The plot thickens, ladies and gentleman, oh how it thickens.  Tamara left her little-brother-esque, buddy-boy, friend in Orlando, boarded her plane home and by the time she had landed on the dull, chill ground of Maryland, it had all changed.  She was newly crazy about that man she left behind.  Whoa there. Man? Yes, he was a man to her now - not merely a friend, but a wonderful, incredible man.  She couldn't stop thinking about him.  Her stomach swelled inside her as she remembered their last week together, psh, their last 10 years together!Not even days later, Brandon called to tell her he was ready to take his role as her friend.  He'd had his Mr. Darcy "one word from you will silence me forever but I love you" speech, and he needed to get her out of his system.  He'd been rejected by the same girl so many times, and fell harder each time.  Imagine his heart - that patient, enduring, love sick heart - when he heard Tamara on the phone say "Wait a second.  My feelings have changed."Brandon wasted no time.  That was the sentence he had been waiting to hear since he was 12-years-old. He was coming to see her. Pronto.  He flew to Maryland a few days later, and just after their big "two week" anniversary, he proposed.  He wasn't going to let her get away. No, not this time.  God had been faithful.  He had seen these two through years of life, and at the perfect time, He made their lives one.  How wonderful!

After the ceremony, Brandon and Tamara exited the chapel and stopped around the corner.  Brandon hugged his wife, Tamara. And sobbed.  He kissed her as tears ran down his cheeks, slid down his lips and landed abruptly on his wife's wedding dress. Tamara's wedding dress.  Tamara was his wife.  And he was holding her.  
Their love is simple and it's deep.  It reminds me of the story of Jacob who worked for seven years to marry Rachel and all that time " seemed like a few days to him, because of the love he had for her ." Baltimore was boasting stunning night-color.  It couldn't have be more perfect for them :D
Their lovely wedding day was hosted inside the Tremont Grand in Baltimore .  There were so many amazing rooms to use for pictures - but my favorite was the library :D SMOKIN' - ohhh my! The reception decor was flawless and the whole wedding was just an elegant, traditional eye-feast!  The music was beautiful, the food was to die for (no exaggeration), the place really was a room from your dreams.And the love from friends and family couldn't have been stronger.  Everyone carried these two on their hearts and were just overwhelmed with excitement for them. My favorite part of the day was when they entered the reception.  Now married, with a room bursting with love and support.  Brandon stood there so proud and happy.  And darling Tamara smiled and shifted in her dress.  They were so happy together, hand in hand.  
He got Tamara to marry him.  And be his love and best friend for the rest of his life.  Congratulations!

David + Jennifer {I'm Kristen - Florida Wedding}

"The roadside flowers, too wet for the bee,

Expend their bloom in vain.

Come over the hills and far with me,

And be my love in the rain."

{robert frost}

Florida became emotional about Jennifer's wedding.  I was emotional, the bridesmaids were emotional, Jennifer's bosses were emotional, so it was only fitting that the sky was too.  Warm, cozy air coated us - but oh my, the rain poured.  This wasn't a quite drizzle or delicate sprinkle.  This was an extreme, tropical shower.

Extreme was perfectly fine, though.  Jennifer is extreme.  She isn't subtle or plain.  She, like her mom and sister, just does things BIG.  On February 5, 2010 she was happy big.  Her facial expressions were extremely happy and you couldn't help but just watch her relish every single second.I love this shot.  A family relative came in to say hi - look how "happy big" they are :DJennifer has an engaging way of making everyone feel comfortable.  She greeted and hugged many relatives who popped in to say hi.  She giggled with her bridesmaids and couldn't stop telling them how beautiful they looked.  She locked eyes with her dad when he came to see her.  She cracked jokes and hugged giddy children who were so excited to be in a wedding.  Even as the bride, Jennifer poured her heart into other people around her.  She is a selfless woman.I got to know Jennifer thanks to many a friendly comment on my blog.  For a few years now she has been following along my life's fun through her computer screen.  We became facebook friends, and I got to see her happy little reports about finally being a girlfriend and eventually a fiancee'!  I also got a gushy, delighted, extreme e-mail from her asking me to shoot her wedding.

I was always excited to come to Florida to meet Jennifer and shoot her wedding, but as soon the cold and snow bit harder and harder, I... well, I was just on Cloud 10 walking around the beautiful, colorful, warm streets of Orlando.
Yes, it rained. Which was kind of a downer... but when you have extremely brave brides, you can really make the rain work.
Jennifer had that smashing, smooth-and-creamy, firefly, bride-flush.  The bridesmaids helped like crazy and watched Jennifer beam with their own twinkling eyes of joy.  I hope everyone has friends like these.

AND. The flower girls.  Ohhhh, goodness.  I just.  There aren't.  Oh man were they cute.I WANT TO KEEP HER. Forever.  I'd live with her in a little flower field and we'd color in coloring books. (You can see the rain at the top of this picture.  Proof. Evidence. I'd make a great detective.)

Okay doke-ay.  We need to get to marriage time.  The ceremony was at Jennifer + David's church... a wonderful church, and a huge building.  But maybe not the most intimate of places.  Jennifer out-did herself in making the space flawlessly gorgeous.  It had the feel of a mid-night stroll on a winter night.  The big space was turned into a charming, romantic and intimate host for the wedding.  I was major impressed.

Jennifer paid much attention to detail, and all the little moments before the ceremony went off without a single issue.  Everything was beautiful.  Everything was emotional.  I had chills.

The glorious classical music rose and rose!  The guests gasped!  A spotlight dropped onto the aisle! And she went.  She went to him.  David.  Her David.

And *boom* they were coming back down together.  His Jennifer, her David.  Officially - after worship, prayer, tears, charges, encouragement, vows, rings and kisses - they are now one, brought together by God and united for Him.  Marriage is just powerful.

(This is just a tasty little side-note before we get to the husband and wife shots. Isn't this cake so glamorous and lovely? I really liked it.)

In keeping with the whole "dreamy romantic elegant mid-night stroll" thing their wedding had going on, we took some pictures with that theme ;)
Now, up until this point I haven't said much about David.  That was intentional, because I wanted to end with him.In his vows, he said one of the dearest, most heart-felt things I have ever heard.  Even though I don't personally know him that well, I had heard a lot about him from Jennifer (I mean, she is an extreme gusher, right?) but I always like when I see in person what I hear from the bride. During the vows, David said "I've waited a long time for you.  I prayed and wondered.  A lot of people told me I was being too picky, but I knew what I wanted and what I was waiting for."He paused, Jennifer's mother wiped a runaway tear.  "Jennifer, you are God's best.  You were worth the wait.  You are His daughter, His princess.  I am so honored to be marrying you."

The audience fluttered with tissues that looked like graceful butterflies along the guests cheeks.  He had waited.  And so had she.  But here they are together!
They laughed and twirled and kissed their way through the dark park, remembering the past and looking forward to the future.Enjoy these first few days and weeks of being married, so in 50 years you can look back and laugh at how little you loved each other then :D

Congratulations!

Special Florida Time? {I'm Kristen Photography}

"Baby come back,

you can blame it all on me"

baby come back

Twenty four inches of snow. No, actually, 28.5. NO! Columbia had 32!  Guys, it snowed in Maryland.  It really, truly snowed a lot of snow.  Our President called it "Snowmaggedon" and The Washington Post lovingly called it "Snowpocalypse."  My twitter homepage was filled to the brim with snow reports, side-by-side pictures of the snow on the deck and all the throes and woes (and fun) of having a genuine blizzard hit.

I heard all of this from afar.  Sitting on a blanket.  Looking at a cruise ship or two.

Cause I'm in FLORIDA!  Originally I was here for a wedding (post to come soon - it was a darling event) and my second-shooter, Andree, and his wife, Becca, came along.  But now we are stuck.

I don't mind being stuck here with the friendly gulls, I really don't!  But we're definitely stuck.  Sunday's flight was canceled, everything Monday was already booked, Tuesday's flight was canceled, and this morning we found out the Wednesday flights was canceled. 

So we've kept busy.  After the VERY rainy wedding day, we went to Cape Canaveral and discovered (after seeing the rows of RV's) that there was a shuttle launch that night (and not a red-neck bonfire shindig. But we might have popped in for that too.)  But by "that night" I mean 4:39 am.  So we had to keep busy - we went to Target, then to dinner, then to Target, then to a movie, then got kicked out of the mall by a police man and THEN we went to wait for the shuttle.  

The shuttle was canceled (our favorite word these days) due to weather (surprise!)  So we rolled our tired little butts back to our hotel/condo and climbed in bed around 6:11-ish.  

The next day we did see the shuttle, but I'll post about that later.  Let's talk about the beach!

The beach is my happy place.  The beach is sunny, beautiful, playful, exciting and mostly sunny.

People are great and people come to the beach.  The couple in this picture smiled and smiled and walked and walked all day.  Precious.That little girl in the second picture had a kite and a brother and parents and a grandma.  She loved the beach (and we think her name is "Boaz" but that just doesn't sound right for a little girl.  But it definitely sounded like they were calling her Boaz.)And those boys. Ha.  I get a kick out of boys (literally?)They were sparring and boxing on the beach, and pretty impressed with themselves. Getting so buff, looking so fine ;)  They just cracked me up.Aren't we cute too!  I hope someone spied on us and took pictures of us :D

Here's Becca being awesome in every way.  We've been having a good time on this trip.  She's been "confused" a lot, and also shopping at "Coldwater Cweek."  While I've been driving around in a copper car.  (Obviously inside jokes - but I want to remember them.)

I am a BABE.  With coordination and cool spewing from me.

In conclusion, if your town is going to get 40+ inches of snow within four days, you should runaway to the beach with your friends.  But don't try to get home quickly.  And maybe stay at a place with good wifi?  Cause it is 2010.

But mostly laugh, talk, make memories, drive, change plans, sleep, eat, laugh, people-watch, listen to SportsTalk 980, take pictures and have fun :D

Maryland, it's not you, it's me.  Actually, it is you but I'm happy to be away.  We never did get our timing right, huh?  Let's try again after I'm a bit tanner.

(ps. Lydia, I miss you.)

Pioneer Kristen? {I'm Kristen Photography}

If you follow me on twitter , you might have seen my tweet last week about making a Pioneer Woman recipe .  I've recently "discovered" PW's blog and, man, does it make me want to be domestic.

Sooo, since my mom was out of town and all the little chillin's were home on a snow-day, I decided to make something.  I was tired of reading her recipes and letting disgusting drips of drool get all over my desk. (It was gross.)  I needed to make a dish. And that dish was Cajun Chicken pasta .




Onions, peppers, wine, chicken broth, cream, chicken, fresh parsley - oh baby, it sounded good.  I took some pictures (JUST like PW ;D) to document the process... but once it was done, I forget to take a "it's done!" snap.  And my fam ate it all - even my dad who has no problem letting me know when the food I make sucks.  It was yums.

Currently, I am chilling with the screen door open on a lovely, warm, breezy day in Florida.  I'm jerkishly making fun of all the facebook updates about the "snow storm" back home.  People are cute :D  I know it's serious, but I still think people are just cute.  Plus, I'm here in Florida for a wedding and couldn't be more thrilled about it, so it's hard to understand their plight ;D

If I was home and snowed in, I would probably just be making more recipes anyway... almost makes up for the snow, yes? Yes.

Jamie Delaine {I'm Kristen Portraits}

This little friend of mine, is... something else.

If you've been around my blog or wedding photography even a bit, you've likely at least heard of Jamie-kins Delaine.  She's the award-winning, child-star in photography, coming from the big, beautiful hat of North America: Canada.




She fits the "busy as a bee" phrase like no one else I've ever met.  She literally zooms around working.  I just am not like that. Buzzing to the computer! Buzzing to make the bed! (Actually, she always makes her best first...) Buzzing to make granola or eggs or drink water! Buzzing back to the computer!

Buzzing to make those ridic muscles eeeeven bigger ;)

A few weeks ago I visited her in Vancouver, and we did a mini-shoot in beautiful Port Moody.  Here's her post of your truly.

We are actually on Skype right now.  She's telling me a story.  She's doing her different voices. She has different voices for each of her friends.  I want to know what her voice for me is... I'll ask ;D

Anyways, you should check out her stuff + tell her how great it is?  She's pretty coolio :D

Personal {I'm Kristen Photography}

Today I'm grateful.   I like a lot of things in life. Want to know what?
Mmmm.  I like bobby pins. I was a magical mix of hardcore jock and plain, awkward nerd in highschool.  My hair was either air-dryed and straight, or in an elastic pony-tail.  I love bobby pins.
I love the coral-neon-pink nail polish I'm wearing.  Did you know it took me until this past Friday to realize if I paint more then one coat, my nail polish will last longer?  It's Monday and they look great. Go nail polish!
I like that yesterday was the first day I had ever been to Pioneer Woman's blog.  Probably the only female with a computer and RSS feeder to never have been on her blog, but hey, fashionably late?  Plus, I spent four hours reading her love story. Oh.My.Lady.Lady.String.Bean.Circus.Nights.GOSH. 
What a love story they have!

I like that I'm participating in a strike on Thursday.  Maryland thinks it's kind of funny to play games with my heart.  60 degrees one day. Seven inches of snow days later?  Cruel.  I'm leaving for Florida and won't come back until Maryland get it's act together. (Nawh, I'm just shooting a wedding - I'll be back Sunday.  But ssssh, I want my state to squirm a little.)
I like Summer of Grey Likes Weddings because she lives in Calfornia AND likes grease.  We have a french-fry date planned next time I'm in the area :D

I like Wendy's until 11 pm on Tuesday nights, I like Steve Madden heels that I rarely get to wear, I like wearing my Steve Madden heels and getting made fun of for wearing heels.  I like when I ask my babiest sister, Lauren, "Where on earth did we get you?" and she says "Um, somehwere spicy!"

I like LongHorn steakhouse's honey mustard dressing, hearing the "dadada-ding!" when mom starts WiFit up each morning and finding out that my friends passed their tests.

I'm so proud of my little brother for organizing and running Hoops for Haiti at his highschool, where a bunch of "poor" 16-year-olds raised over $7000. 


Lastly, I love this truth from Ecclesiastes 3: "He has made everything beautiful in its time.
I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful as long as they live."

My mind is running this Monday morning with things I am nervous about, things I need to get done, things I don't like (SNOW!) and things that are hard for me.  But sometimes it helps to remember all these things are beautiful for this time.   It's easier for me to complain.  But, no, life is good. Things are good.  I'm grateful and want to choose joy all the days I live.

Brown Boxes from ModCloth {I'm Kristen}

I love brown cardboard boxes. Oooooh I just love 'em!

Don't deny that your heart flutters going to get the mail and opening your door only to find a brown box sitting there, like the less-creepy Geico Money. It's the best! I think more should come in brown boxes.
I wish texts came in mini boxes.  And breakfast each morning. And clean socks!
And good hair days - "Oh my, now what is this? A good hair day? Thank you brown box, thank you."

Happily, ModCloth ships their clothes in brown, cardboard boxes.  So if you want to check out their "Cabin Fever 70% off" sale right now, you might open up a box with

a brand-new silky, white, spring-time trench that cost less then $25.

I'm so liking this new trench.  I like the word "trench" too.  It's like clench. Ooooo, powerful. Or quench. Which remind me of Gatorade?  Anyways, it's a classic jacket and I like wearing at my desk even though I'm not going anywhere. 

Though you'd like to know :D

Adelyn Alivia {Baby Shoot - I'm Kristen}

"For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to Him.  Therefore as long as [she] lives, [she] is lent to the Lord.”I samuel 1:20We live in a wonderful world, where joy and love are real, abundant and life-changing.We also live in a broken world, where pain and suffering are real, and also just as life-changing.
My friend Heather has four beautiful daughters.  McKenna is a blonde-curly-headed Kindergartner, and Selah is a bouncing-wide-eyed-three year old.  The next girl is Alivia, and she is a stunningly beautiful child.  She died last year when she was five weeks old.  She was young and her life was short, but she made an impression on the world that will not be forgotten.

I love to remember her life through pictures, stories and blog-posts about her.  I love to hear my little sisters talk about someday seeing "Jesus and Grandpa and Bacca and Alivia" in heaven.  And recently I've loved remembering Alivia through her little and newest sister, Adelyn Alivia.

Adelyn was born five weeks ago, and while Heather and her husband were at the hospital, I got to play with Thing 1 and Thing 2 ;D It was so special to be there when mom, dad and baby came home.


Selah held her sister tight and told me she wanted to keep her away from bad things "like dragons."  haha

There were many kisses, smiles and "shhhhh's" while everyone got to hold Adelyn for the first time.

The next day I came back over to take some shots of Addie before she got too big on all of us!  (Maybe I also secretly wanted some baby-snuggle time.)

I'm no baby photography specialist, but I just couldn't help it.  I had to post a few pictures of this girl.  I love her so much.  I can hardly stand it.

I love how she has McKenna's nose and mouth.  I love how she has Selah's coloring and perfectly round head.  I love how she has Alivia's steely blue eyes.

And I love even more how she reminds to me praise God.  Life is always a miracle - every single baby ever born is a miracle.  But getting to meet and hold Adelyn has been such an answer to prayer.  Watching the fight, the tears and the love from her parent's has encouraged me and sharpened my faith.

This is a special baby, part of an amazing family.  I'm so blessed to know them!

Seth + Janet + Baby {Family Shoot}

"And you take that love you made
And stick it into someone else's heart
Pumping someone else's blood

And walking arm in arm
You'll just do it all again"

regina spektor - on the radio

Seth is madly in love with his wife, Janet.  And she thinks he is pretty awesome too :D
It's exactly how it should be.

And it was time for them to have a baby.  In God's wonderful way, He gave them a little girl. Exactly at His proper time, she entered their life.

She's a darling, beautiful child named Audrey Elizabeth (but she is affectionately known as "Meeper.")
A few weeks before Meeper was born, we did a family shoot. 

We couldn't hold or see her yet, but she was definitely their daughter inside Janet's belly :D  And this is their family!

Janet is a silly-head a thought she was so big + fat.  I'm pretty sure she weighed less then me when she was NINE months pregnant.  She is so gorgeous. And tiny.  Seth was looking sharp himself!  No wonder Audrey is so stinkin' attractive!

Audrey is a wiggler!  We could see her little feet goin' for a walk.  So amazing. 

Side note: I miss sunshine and color and warm days.

I love you guys so much!  All three of you!
If you'd like to see Meeper with her family after she was born, check out Jenny James' pictures right here!  SO GOOD!

Josh Harris - {I'm Kristen Published!}

God has always been a big part of my life.  That's actually not even totally correct.  He is my life - not in a cheesy, hyper-spiritual, "I have chosen God" kind of way. 
I was made by Him, I was made for Him and He is the one who allows every single nitrogen, oxygen, argon and carbon dioxide atom to fill my lungs each time I take a breath, usually without me noticing (unless I'm running really hard.  Then I notice myself breathing haha).  All that I have is a gift from Him - gifts to enjoy and praise Him for.  Ooooone of those gifts is my church!

My parents actually met there, back in the day. So, if our church didn't exist... I might not be here.  Oh jeez.  That'd stink ;) haha
I've grown up in the same church, and so many dear families have come along side me as I've started my business.  My first year I had almost exclusively church families book me, and they were so encouraging.  It was amazing. 

In a cool turn of events, the senior pastor of my church, Josh Harris, asked me to do some shots for him.  I've taken pictures of his family a couple times, and in July 2008 I got to do a promo-head-shot type shoot for him.  Shooting the author of I Kissed Dating Good-bye was not my usual client haha I was nervous and not sure if he'd like my style when kids and wedding dresses weren't involved. 

Thankfully,  he liked them! Phew!  He used some shots on his facebook page, his bio page on his blog and one even made the front of his new and improved blog in the "About Me" section!


I was glad he could use them, and I knew he was thinking about using some for his new book, Dug Down Deep, but I thought he might want to get someone a little more trained in that kind of picture-taking field. You know all those "Back of book cover photographers" running around? ;) haha
To my surprise, he used some of my pictures for the book!  Pretty fun, right?  I can offically cross "Having a picture I've taken published" off the dream list!

And regarding the book - it's good!  Haha Not to be the worst-church-member-in-all-of-history, but I kind of thought "What can Josh write about that I haven't already heard from him?"  I know, I am the worst.  I was sure the book would be good!  But just for people who went to other churches.
My b.  It was good. Really good. 
He writes in a very relatable way, and keeps things clear.  I have a hard time reading anything for longer then 15 minutes (I told you I'm the worst) but I actually spent two hours on a plane ride reading this! Yay!  It's like my mom finally got her kid to eat peas! I read for longer than an hour! haha
Anywho, I thought that was kind of fun.  So there's a bit of news in my life!

Kevin + Lexie {Southern California Wedding}

"What I've got's full stock of thoughts
And dreams that scatter
You pull them all together
And how? I can't explain"
hall&oates - you make my dreams

This was a fun one.  A real, real fun one. 
Settle down for a quick story - it will make the post better :D

See the dear, rosy-cheeked girl in red pajamas?  That's my cousin Lexie.  She's about a year younger then me.
See that babe in curlers? And MyTwinn doll floral flanel nightgown? Don't worry, that's me.
My sister, cousin Leah and Grandma (who we all called "Bacca") are also rocking the pajama party with us :D

My cousins and grandparents live on the West Coast, while my family lives on the other side of the country.  All growing up I wished I lived closer to my cousins.  I really love them.Our moms (Sue, Pam and Lynda) had an obsession with curlers, matching plaid outfits and laughing so hard that they rolled.  I didn't get to see them often, but when I did... it was GOOD times.  You have no idea.
Needless to say, it was surreal watching Lexie get ready for her wedding.  Her hair still curled, but instead of red teddy-bear pajamas, she sweetly put on her fun high-heels in her silky "Bride" robe.  She grew up! I've spent mornings with Lexie in a snow-dunked cabin on Christmas, hidden away on a California mountain.  I've spent mornings with Lexie in her jungle-themed bedroom, trying to convince myself that her hammock was comfortable (I mean, she had a hammock in her room! I had to sleep there! But, yeah, not super comfortable.)  We've spent mornings in grandma's dress-up clothes running around her basement.  Or wearing matching Minnie Mouse overalls, taking the tram into Disneyland.  Or mornings packing up for a day trip to Lake Tahoe.  
But this morning was a new, and quite fun, "Lexie" memory.  She was the bride - a few short hours from being a wife.  And I was shooting her.  We've come a long way from the girls who wore Scooby Doo t-shirts to see The Parent Trap and thought a dream lunch was Cup of Noodles in our swimsuits (extra points if we could eat the whole cup without taking your goggles off).
Bride Lexie.  Lexie is the bride.  Wow.  And she looked stun.ning.  I honestly have never seen her look better.  When did this happen?!? When did we grow up! Ah!  
Lexie has always been a laugher :D She's like the Mary Poppins song called "I Love to Laugh."  It goes through all the kinds of laughter.  She is a squeakeler:"When things strike me as funny
I can't hide it inside
And squeak - as the squeakelers do
I've got to let go with a ho-ho-ho
And a ha-ha-ha...too"!

She can't keep her smiles inside - and never has been able to :D She loves to giggle and smile and just lauuugh.  I didn't know she would be able to show more happiness then she always has, but she got me. She smiled more and laughed harder on her wedding day.
This was one of my favorite moments of the day: the first time Lexie saw herself all ready to go.  She was quiet and just touched her veil, and ran her hands along her dress and whispered "Wow."  It was this slow, sweet moment like "This is really happening."  Very precious :D
Ohhh snap!  Lexie, you are so beautiful!
(Oh, by the way.  A side note to California photographers.  What the deuce.  You have the best light ever.  At 1:00pm, your "harsh afternoon light" is like a smooth melted butter sauce.  Yes, it's bright but it's completely different then 1:00 pm Maryland light!  It's beautiful!)

Lexie wore Bacca's engagement ring on her pinky.  Bacca died ten years ago and I so wish she could have been here to see this day.  I thought about her a lot.  It was so special that Lexie honored her and remembered her by wearing her ring.Oh jeez, the groom.  I haven't even mentioned him. Oops.  New cousin fail.
Kevin is awesome.  And my relatives have a very strict Kristen-standard for the boys they decide to marry.  And Kevin out-did himself.  He is honestly a man worthy of honor - he adores Lexie, he works for her, he sacrifices for her and he puts her interest above his own.  I only met him the day before the wedding, but all of those qualities were clearly seen in those 48 hours.
ps. He used to be an Old Navy model! Major props! haha
I love this quiet prayer, lit by stained glass windows and hugged by old church wall-paper.
I do have ceremony pictures, buuut most are in the slideshow. I was having a hard time narrowing things down ;)  But I had to post these two:
When Lexie had made it down the aisle with her mom by her side, the music stopped.  And it was still for a few moments.  All you could here were tears, "sniffs", gasps and sighs.  It was crazy.  The pastor didn't talk.  No one moved. Just five seconds of beaming, emotional love.  Very awesome.And the kiss!  The church was lit dimly, but it had fun colors and soft shadows.  And they nailed the first kiss ;)  So I just happen to like this one.  I support kisssessss! haha  Maybe I would be bored with the ease of California nature if I lived here?  I don't think so, though.  I love it.In the last hour of sun, we ran across the road to a little orange orchard.  It was amamaazing. One of my favorite bridal party shots ever:
 Yes, the light was beautiful.  Yes, the surroundings were beautiful.  Yes, the bride was beautiful.  And so was the groom? Haha He was very handsome.  But, and I mean this in the least cheesy way possible, they have such a beautiful relationship.
Whoa.
I had never been able to see them together until the rehearsal and wedding.  But they truly have that "it" factor with each other.  It's so smooth, so easy, so natural.  They fit together and I just can't imagine her without him.
They are SUCH a romantic couple.  I think some guys are afraid to be over-the-top romantic, and I think some girls think its lame... but honestly, it wouldn't bother me a bit if I had a relationship like these two.Plus, they are just SO fun!  They treat each other ridiculously well.

He touches her in such a darling way.  Like she's his treasure.

And she just really can't stop smiling.

The poor girl tried for a few shots to give me a "serious face" but she burst out laughing, squeezing Kevin even harder.

I love your laugh, Lexie.  I love it so much.  And I love that Kevin gets to hear your laugh for the rest of his life :D
Rawr!

I had to post this... the two brunette flower girls are my sisters, and the blonde one is my littlest cousin.  How cute are they!

After pictures, I stormed inside to grab some reception details - it was a crystal, snowflake theme.  How cute!  And the table's were named after lyrics from songs.  Ours was: "Snowflakes That Stay on My Nose and Eyelashes."
The first dance was intimate and emotional.  I loved this shot with all of the cousins watching from the staircase :D
And this one, of Lexie with her ever-present smile being smooched by her hubby.  I couldn't be happier for you both, and you know who to call when the babies start to come ;)  I'll come over, and we'll put curlers in their hair and play on the bed and take some pictures.  Deal?