Lauren + Andrew // In their first home // Phoenix, Arizona

We just adore these two. Lauren and I were roommates in college and we got to visit her and her husband in Phoenix this summer. We had an amazing time exploring Phoenix with them for a few days and eating at all their favorite restaurants. We’re already trying to figure out the next time we can make it back to Arizona!

Lauren and Andrew are the kind of people that care deeply for those around them. They ask good questions and are passionately curious. The night before we did this photo shoot with them, they asked us about our business, our philosophy, why we do what we do, and where we find meaning in our work. Sometimes it’s hard to put words to those things, but we’re finding it more and more valuable as we continue on our entrepreneurial journey. Sometimes I feel that sharing all the “why” behind what we do with our couples will spoil the actual experience of being photographed – but now I realize I’m very wrong in that. As we shared with Lauren and Andrew, and they got more excited and enthusiastic for the work we do, Lauren exclaimed “I can’t wait for you guys to photograph us!”

Over the past several months, we’ve begun putting more words to the work that we do. We’ve been crafting a way of working with our couples that not only captures beautiful photos and video, but also creates an experience for them. The couples that are willing to trust us and let us do what we are passionate about end up with photos that reflect something beautiful, intimate, and I would even venture to say sacred. When we’re able to create an environment that draws our couples closer to one another, and they’re willing to come along for the adventure, that is when we know we’re doing exactly what we’re meant to.

Through the experience of sharing our “why” with Lauren and Andrew, and then photographing them the next day, we left feeling so encouraged and so right with everything we do. Between the laughter, the sweet tears, and the quiet intimate moments, Lauren and Andrew let us see them. They let their guards down and let us photograph them. The real them. What a rare gift. We are so grateful.

The Adams // A Family Session at Holden Beach

Happy Friday you guys! Have anything fun planned for the weekend? A trip to a museum or the farmer’s market, staying at home with a good book, or perhaps a trip to the mountains or the beach?

I had a fantastic time with the Adams a while back during their annual family trip to the beach! You might recognize them from Lauren and David’s wedding we filmed quite a while ago! I got to spend the day playing with sand between my toes and salty air in my hair, capturing memories for this sweet family. It was so special to hear their stories throughout the day – especially the legacy of the grandparents (now great-grandparents) and the sweet, enduring love they have for one another. It truly was a joy for me to capture four generations of this family, to be there for nap time and snack time, to experience the ebbs and flows of the day, to walk and sit on the beach together and share stories, and even to stay for dinner and chat late into the evening while munching on copious amounts of homemade popcorn.

Thank you, friends, for inviting me into your family for a day to capture these moments for you.

Steph + Thad // A Wisconsin Wedding

Steph and Thad’s love simply radiates from them. Their first look was one of our favorites we’ve ever done because they simply loved on one another the entire time. We hardly had to give these two any direction, their love is just that electric. A few minutes into their first look, Thad (who was a little hesitant to do a first look), exclaimed “I LOVE the first look!!” And that, folks, is why we highly recommend our couples see one another before the ceremony. Besides the obvious fact that more time equals more photos, you get to soak up your wedding day with the one you’re marrying. We’ve never ever had couples say “oh I wish we didn’t do a first look!” Nope. It’s always the opposite. Always always. So, Steph and Thad – we’re so very grateful you two did a first look. These moments of the two of you together are so precious. Thank you for letting us capture them for you.

One of the sweetest surprises of Steph and Thad’s day was the song they played as she walked down the aisle. Steph shared with us that she’d acted hesitant to use Canon in D for her processional as it’s such a traditional piece. She kept telling Thad she wanted something a little less standard. Both Steph and Thad’s parents got married at the same church and that song is the same one that each of their moms walked down the aisle to. On top of that, when Thad was born, he wasn’t breathing – his father Rodney held him in his arms and sang Canon in D as he prayed for God to intervene and spare his baby’s life. Thad began breathing shortly after. Canon in D has such special significance for both of their families, so Steph kept her processional song a secret from Thad and surprised him with it as the doors opened and her father walked her down the aisle.

Vendors:

Ceremony Venue: Nashotah House Theological Seminary

Hair/Makeup: Signature Salon & Spa

Dress: From Betrothed Boutique

Flowers: Waukesha Floral & Greenhouse

Officiant: Thad Butcher

Reception Venue: Chenequa Country Club

Caterer: Chenequa Country Club

Cake: Simma’s Bakery

DJ: Midwest Sound

Photography: Grain & Compass

Videography: Grain & Compass

Fort Fisher

Back in March we had a brief but glorious weekend getaway to Kure Beach with Richard and Lindsey. Tim’s brother Richard was down in Durham for a Wheaton event, and he and his wife Lindsey decided they’d make a little beach weekend out of it, in an attempt to escape the-winter-that-would-never-end. We rented a fantastic condo on the beach and filled our weekend with good food and exploring Wilmington, Kure Beach, and Fort Fisher. I am already dreaming of more family-vacays with these two!

Tim and I have been traveling every weekend the last month or so between a wedding in Wisconsin, giving a photography workshop at Chapel Hill, sessions on Pawley’s Island and in Winston Salem, and another wedding in Detroit. We’re traveling again this weekend, but this time we’re excited that it’s simply for the purpose of seeing friends up in Raleigh. We’re stoked to attend the spring fling at SAS again this year (thanks to our friend Khang for working at an awesome company) – all the free food and drinks and music and bouncy houses and fireworks you could want? Count us in. We’ve also got plans to hit up The Handmade Market in Raleigh on Saturday, as well as a Durham Bulls game in the evening. It’s shaping up to be a great weekend!

What do you have planned for the next few days? Any adventures ahead?

Taylor + Drew // A Charleston Wedding Film

This wedding was immensely special for Tim and I to film. Taylor and Drew are friends of ours from Wheaton, and Tay and I were roommates our senior year. Taylor is a fabulous photographer in the Charleston area and she and I actually photographed one of our very first weddings together! Little did we know back then we’d both be doing this full-time!

Before Taylor and Drew got engaged, I remember Taylor and I chatting with our girlfriends about whether we’d rather attend a friend’s wedding as a guest or document it. I immediately answered that I’d rather document it. I love the intimacy of filming (or photographing) a dear friend’s big day.  I feel I get to celebrate with them on their day and continue celebrating with them in the days, weeks, and months to come as we edit through the footage and put together a film that tells their story.

As a videographer I got to have a first hand look at the joy on Taylor’s mom’s face as she helped her get into her dress and the sweet words she and the girls prayed over her before sending her off to see Drew.

I got to see the excitement on Taylor’s face and her sweet tears when we surprised her with a Skype conversation with Lily, our college roommate who SO wished she wasn’t in South Korea that day, celebrating from the other side of the globe.

Tim got to witness the relaxed, carefree morning the boys had over at their house. (Seriously. Drew is one of the most chill, easy-going people we know.) And he got to hear Drew’s words about Taylor – his thoughtful and honest words expressing how deeply he loves this girl.

I got to witness the deep breaths Taylor took and her nervous excitement right before she got to see Drew – even though she has photographed tons of other brides and their first looks, she was suddenly asking me “What do I do? Do I just walk up behind him? Do I tap him on the shoulder?” Now, this was her moment. Not the moment for all the other brides she had guided into their first looks before that. This was her moment to see her groom and she savored it completely.

We got to spend so much time exploring the grounds of the Pepper Plantation with the two of them and Jonny and Michele of Paper Antler (You HAVE to go see the photographs they captured of this day! What a JOY it was for us to get to work alongside these two incredibly talented and passionate photographers!) Taylor and Drew had the most relaxed first look and photo time, and it shows. They weren’t concerned with rushing off to the next thing. They planned in plenty of time for photos and video, and for that we are so grateful – it makes such a big difference!

We are so proud of this film we put together of Taylor and Drew’s day. We hope that as you watch it you find yourselves celebrating with us and with Taylor and Drew as we did together on this beautiful day.

Vendors

Venue: The Pepper Plantation near Charleston, South Carolina

Coordinator: Emily Weidle

Hair/Makeup: Abby Scherf

Flowers: Branch Design Studio

Rental Company: Snyder Event Rental

Officiant: Brodie Swanson

Photo Booth: Finger Snappin

Caterer: Crazy Dutchman

Cake (Pie!): Crazy Dutchman

Bar: Spike

DJ: Finger Snappin Entertainment

Photography: Paper Antler

Videography: Grain & Compass