Engagement // Sarah + Michael: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Michael + Sarah

Just when we thought Michael would never get married Sarah Denise came waltzing into his life. Michael was a goner from there on out. Sarah has his heart and he is a love struck puppy now ;) Congrats guys, and I can't wait to photograph the wedding. 

Engagement // Tim + Jenna: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Tim + Jenna

Really really in love, cute, friendly, stylish, a tad reserved, and a perfect match for each other - were my first impressions of Jenna and Tim. The engagement session was the first time I had met them and we hit it off perfectly. I love when I get a couple and we just "mesh" really well (if that makes sense lol). Jenna and Tim are the kind of people you want as your friends. Jenna is in school to be a vet tech (I think that is the proper terminology, Jenna? You know the ones that do all the work at the Vet clinic ) How cool is that?! My dogie August would approve (hehe).  Anyways, enough rambling on to the good stuff. 

(I'm beyond thrilled I get to photograph their wedding next April.)  

Rocky + Sarah // Engagement: Dayton, Ohio Wedding + Portrait Photographer

Rocky + Sarah

Rocky + Sarah were so much fun to hang out for the afternoon. They love each other beyond words and you can see in on their face every time they look at each other. I'm honored to be photographing your wedding next June. 

Engagement // Allie + Andy: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Allie + Andy

("Allie + Andy" doesn't that just sound so right together?! I think YES.)

As you can probably see I had a ball photographing these' two as they were waaaay to cute together. They were constantly laughing at each other and with each other (haha). Their serious face lasted about 1.2 seconds (haha). My favorite favorite favorite kind of people. Why be serious when you are in love and so so happy, right?! They remind me of Pooh and Piglet (not in their looks of course, because, come on, look at them--beautiful+handsome as can be) but in their friendship. In the fact that they are best buds. I know that may sounds childish (but kids are cool right?).  I love when I see that character in my couples. Along with a love for the Lord and a wanting to serve him....you can't beat that combination. Ohh yeah, and the fact that they are madddddlllyyy in love is just a topper for the cake ;) Enjoy this little collection happiness. 

Engagement // Eric + Ashley: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Scott + Sarah // Engagement: Cincinnati, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Sarah + Scott

There is so much to say about this couple. They met at church (briefly) but really got to know each other on a missions trip to Dominican Republic where the history of  "Sarah + Scott" really began.

 Did I mention they both have the *biggest* heart for God and missions.

 I've known Sarah for a few years now and she really is a light for God. She's so full of life. She is always smiling, seriously, ALWAYS smiling, which I love about her. She has a constant Joy! She lights every room she walks in. She lifts others up above herself and I know Scott has seen all of this in her. Though, I just met Scott at the engagement session I've heard and can see how much he loves God and how focused he is at doing the Lord's will and that was exactly what Sarah was looking for--someone focused on God and truly a follower of Christ, a preacher man ;)  (she may have mentioned something about liking the tall, blonde and muscular type, too).

They've are saving their first kiss for their wedding day. 

(^major props *clap hands*)

Their engagement session was the first time I saw them interact together and I wasn't disappointed. They are so so so good together. Like, fairy tale-forever kind of good. He compliments her strengths and she compliments his. They love holding hands and just being together. He makes her laugh so much and she can get him to smile no matter what. They have to deal with having a long distance relationship, but their relationship/friendship is so strong because they based it on God. Their courtship is one to be looked up to and highly esteemed. So honored I get to capture this special time of their relationship and can't wait to see them say "I do".

Engagement // Taylor + Scott: Hueston Woods Wedding & Portrait Photographer

"My heart is, and always will be, yours." – Sense and Sensibility

Engagement // Erin + Justin: Carriage Hill Farm Wedding & Portrait Photographer

"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul; that makes us reach for more, that plants the fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. That’s what I hope to give you forever." – The Notebook

Erin + Justin

I really do get to photograph the best couples, for real. I have a blast with every single one of my couples and Justin & Erin were no exception. I think we laughed and made fun more then anything at their engagement session. I try with every couple/person I photograph to capture "them"...(duh right?) let me explain, not just "them"....but really who they are. Who they are together or apart, how they bring out the best in each other. The teasing, stolen kisses, hugs just because they wanted too, winks, random burst of laughter because of an inside joke. That is what I strive for to photograph each couple as "them".

As you will see they are a gorgeous couple and absolutely adorable. I really can't get over how beautiful Erin's hair is....SOOooo pretty. We had beautiful weather for their session and their cute laughs combine with the way they played together (yes, grown-ups can play too) was like something out of a  story book. I'm happy I get to capture the start of your "Happily Ever After". 

"So it’s not gonna be easy. It’s gonna be really hard. We’re gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day…" The Notebook

I tried some free-lensing techniques on these couple.




















Free-lensing here too!

{Engagement} Nathan & Jennifer // Hueston Woods

It was a perfect Spring evening with warm country air and the sun slow setting sending beautiful rays of light through the tress. Birds chirping, bees bouncing around in the flowers. New buds on the trees and one very verrrry in love couple. Nathan and Jennifer really did pick the perrrfect location for their engagement session. It was the first time I had shot at Hueston Woods and let me tell you I was in love with it. Even though I may have gotten lost getting there and had no phone reception it was perfect nonetheless.

Nathan and Jennifer brought a Bible to the session. They wanted to make sure they included their Faith in the pictures. I'm so happy when I run into other christian couples. There is just something about a couple that shares the same faith as you.

I try to always observe how my couples play/work together at my sessions. Jennifer and Nathan are, well they are just themselves. They are real and down to earth. Very fun and playful, with a little sarcasm thrown in there. They are not just "in love", they really love each other, but its a mature, true, forever kind of love, if that makes sense. Anyways, it gave me chills as I was going through some of these'. Too darn cute!!

{Engagement} Jason + Hannah: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Hannah and Jason lived less then half a mile down the road from each other for the majority of their lives, but never met and didn't meet for years and years later. They both had been through a lot when they met and connected on a level post people wouldn't understand. They are sweet and cuddly, yet they tease/poke at each and throw sarcasm into the mix (sarcasm is like my families middle name lol), so I felt right at home photographing them AT their home/farm. Oh and remember straw and hay are not the same thing, and don't ever tell a straw farmer that they are.

Their wedding is going to be awesome!

{Engagement} Brian + Missy: Columbus, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

{Engagement} Jenna + Kyle: Dayton, Ohio Wedding & Portrait Photographer

Jenna and Kyle are my kind of people. When we first met they told me they didn't want a lot of posy, LOOK HERE, fake photos...."Well, you've come to the right person!" I said. They are both super laid back, but they are one of the funnest(yes funnest lol) couples I've photographed. Full of life and energy. 

OOohh and their wedding it going to be amazing. They are having the wedding on their uncles land and the guest get to camp out afterwards--how cool is that?

[{Personal/Engagementt} Josh + Eastlyn: Dayton, Ohio Portrait & Wedding Photographer

I remember the first time I met Eastlyn, her and her family came over, along with some other friends, so the Moms could talk about "homeschooling". We spent the day together, had lunch and hung out on the swing sets in the backyard (yep, we were cool like that, and very young lol). At the time Eastlyn and I didn't really hit it off-- we didn't really "click". The day came to an end and the Moms said good-bye, us girls said good-bye, and that was that. We really didn't see or talk to them much for the next couple years, not because we didn't want too our paths of life were just different. It wasn't until about 4 years when we were invited to a "homeschool" volleyball event (I really do have a lot of gratitude toward homeschooling lol). So we went, and we saw many familiar faces. People we knew, but didn't REALLY know. I saw Eastlyn, she saw me. We said "Hi"..and that was about it. We hadn't seen each other in 4 years, and we were just kids back then. There was still no click between us. We starting coming more and more to the volleyball events that were held on Friday nights. It wasn't until the 4 or 5 week of us coming that something clicked between us. I remember Eastlyn and her sister, Michaela came up to me after volleyball and just started talking to me. I'm not sure what it was about our conversation, but we just realllllyy hit it off well. THat conversation is really what started our {awesome} friendship. As our lives had bumps and curves we were always there for each other. You know how the teen years go, that's when you really need a best friend the most. She helped me with SO much. She talked me through SO much! We've pretty much talked everyday after that. Whether it be email, text, you name it. We had built such a strong friendship. (She also had a HUGE part in setting me up with Reed, my husband.)

I know you are anxious to hear how Eastlyn + Josh began as a couple...well just wait, it's coming.

Even though we were awesome friends it wasn't until her graduation party that I learned who she was head of heels for. Her party was coming to an end and we were sitting by the fire, just her and I. I finally just asked her who she liked (she was very secretive about it). She was hesitant to tell me at first, but she told me. She was in love with Josh Tolle. The boy she had/has known since she was 10 years old. NO one else knew! She was so giddy and happy when she told me. She hadn't shared it with anyone else and I know she felt awesome to be able to share that with someone, and I'm so happy it was me. ;)

Like I said, she has known Josh since she was 10 years old. It wasn't love at first sight, but it was a growing love from year to year. They were friends first (SO important).

What Eastlyn didn't know was that Josh too, had the same feelings toward her, if not stronger, but there was one problem-- they were both very shy and reserved toward each other. I watched them flirt in their "shy" manor and pass little hints toward each other of their feelings, but the timing wasn't right. Josh didn't make any moves toward a "relationship" with her. God still had work to do in their hearts to prepare them. It left Eastlyn guessing of his feelings (you know how us girls are). They both went with a big group on a mission trip to Mexico. Eastlyn sent me letters telling me about everything that was happening. She thought for sure he liked her, but when they came back things just went back to normal. She was confused!!! I was confused lol. As her best friend I didn't really know what to tell her. What we didn't know was God still wasn't finished with preparing Josh and Eastlyn's heart for each other. Patients is really the only thing I could tell her and that God would work it out. Sometime passed and I could tell Josh was opening up a lot more with Eastlyn. They were talking more, things just seemed SO right. IT WAS FINALLY TIME. Their hearts were ready. Josh asked her Dad if he could court Eastlyn. He was more then overjoyed. I remember very clearly Eastlyn calling me on the phone telling me that Josh had asked if he could court her. This was the happiest I've ever seen. Her voice was full of not only happiness, but joy.


They were both full of joy. Seeing them together for the first time was so perfect.











He was finally able to be with the one his heart loved.






They quickly became best friends.







It was easy to see that this love was becoming more and more serious with each day, with each phone call, with each sweet text message, with every sunset...







They are truly a match made in Heaven. They have so many character traits that compliment each other. It's hard to explain it. It was just RIGHT!




When you know you just know. That's how it was with Josh + Eastlyn. Within a few months of courting they knew they were mean't to be together forever. Everyone around them knew it too. Josh went out and found the perfect ring for Eastlyn, after asking her Dad if he could have Eastlyn's heart by marrying her. Her Dad gave approval without hesitation. He asked Eastlyn if she would marry him and make him the happiest man in the world. Her dreams were coming true. She said "YES"!!!
























Josh proposed to Eastlyn while Reed and I were still on our honeymoon. As soon as we pulled into port my phone went off and I found a picture from Eastlyn and it was a picture of a ring with a text saying Josh proposed to her. I WAS ESTATIC! I was little mad at Josh for doing it while I wasn't even in the country though lol. Reed and I couldn't have been happier. Their wedding planning began immediately.










































They picked a date!!!!!!!! The date to start life as "One" would be Septemeber 1st, 2012. I still can't believe it! It seems like yesterday when we met at my house as little girls. In just 10 days you'll be getting married to your Josh.
































I'm so honored you asked me to be a bridesmaid and stand by your side when you say "I do" and become Mrs.Tolle. I can't tell you how excited and happy I am :)



10 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you Eastlyn.

{Engagement} Josh + Leah: Dayton, Ohio Portrait & Wedding Photographer

I had first heard from Leah through email. She was inquiring about a certain wedding date, BUT not for herself--for her sister. She was helping her sister out with wedding planning. Leah too was engaged but she already had a wedding photographer booked. So I photographed her sister's wedding in March (Elizabeth+Ben), Leah contacted me shortly after and told me her photographer didn't workout and wanted me to be her wedding photographer--I was super stoked! As you can tell they are the most adorable couple ever! So fun and silly together. They make each other laugh and laugh and laugh..oh and they make each other laugh. It's so cute to watch. So happy I get to capture their wedding in August.

{Engagement/Personal} Grace + Josh....She's my sista!

YEP! My sister, Grace, is getting MARRIED. Our house was FULL of engaged couples just a few months ago, but we are slowly getting married off ;) My brother, Samuel, got married last Novemeber, and I got married in February (loving married life-- FYI), then Grace's month is June, then last but not least, Timothy is getting married in Septemeber. It's been a crazzzzy year (in a good kinda crazzzy way).

You know the saying "Time Flies" I'm finding it's SO true. I remember laying in our bunk bed together, Grace and I, looking through LTD cataloges and building our future houses with them, and planning our weddings together. We always swore we'd be each other's maid-of-honor no matter what. Seems like yesterday we were playing Barbie's in the "circle" and dressing up to go to church every Sunday morning and arguing over whose clothes were whose. We'd argued over the dumbest things (lol, what sisters don't?). Did I mention we can sing a mean version of the song "Sisters" (ya know, from "White Christmas").

She's been there for me through EVERYTHING, from losing my front teeth to riding my bike without training wheels, to becoming a "women" (lol), to becoming a wife--you name it and she was there!

She stood by my side on my wedding day and I'm honored to do the same for her.

Grace has found the one her heart loves! She found Josh. I remember the first conversation they had, it was over the phone. I listened intently as their conversation went on and on and on. She called me over to listen to his voice...she thought he sounded like a hilbilly, and I reassured her he had a nice voice (that's just the kind of sisters we are).

They are opposite in alot of ways--Josh is outgoing and silly/Grace is quiet and reserved, needless to say the combo makes a great match ;)

So Josh finally popped the question to Grace...she said "YES!" and that was only the start of their happily ever after.

Here are some of my favorites....ENJOY!

{Engagement} Oh wait...THIS is my engagement ;)

"She's so young, and he's so perfect. They waited for love and it was worth it. She want's to feel like this for a hundred years.."Francesca Battistelli.

"Once upon a time there was a little girl who saw this boy, and the boy saw her. They fell madly in love"...next thing you know he is on his knee proposing to the girl of his dreams and she replies with "Yess!!!".

That's basically how it happened! Well I guess I didn't mention all the yummy details like how they've been together since she was 15, and the fact that they are each other's best friend. Oh, and the cool little part about how he proposed at Myrtle Beach at sunset, that was kinda a BIG deal too(I love talking about myself in the 3rd person). There's so many details exploding in my mind, but I'll just keep it simple and tell you all the BIG details about "US" and the engagement.

Fun facts about Reed & Lydia:
We love laughing together.
We play thumb war...all the time.
He's beats me at checkers.
He calls me beautiful, I call him handsome. Insert "Awwwww".
We box with each other, he loses though. ;)
He buys me sour patch candy and I'm bad at sharing it. I share with him, just because I love him ALOOOTTTT.
We wink at each other.
We text each other even though we are sitting together.


I got engaged to the man I've always wanted.



This was litterally seconds after he proposed. I wanted everyone to see the joy on my face.




After he proposed we walked down to the pier where fireworks were about to go off. It was soooo magically. I know that sounds cheesy, but it was "FOR REAL" so magical.


Our walk back to the hotel, Ahhh it was the BEST night of my life.


The next morning we got up at sunset and walked on the beach. We were/are sooooo happy!






The bling bling he bought her, oh I mean me.


Then, ya know, once you change your relationship status on facebook to "Engaged" you get all the "Congrats!" "Omgsh!" "No way?" "FOR REAL?"..you get the jift. People were very excited for us. People love us! We love them back. People are awesome. Especially my people!


The wedding planning began. We did the most important thing first. We booked out photographer. You thought I was going to say "we picked a date", didn't you? Nope, we consulted out photographer first then we picked a date. Photography REALLLYYY is the most important part of the wedding, aside from the actually "getting married" part, of course. Melissa Esterline, a good friend/fellow photog did our engagement pictures. We love her! She did 3 seperate sessions just for us. We went with "The Notebook" theme so we had to meet up a few times to fit everything in. She's a darling! Here's some of our pictures from the sessions.

Get ready for some "Awwww"ing.

You ready?!

Ok. Ready set go!

This is one of mt personal favorites! He makes me fly in the sky...SEEE! SEE!











He makes me laugh...SO...hard!


We are silly when we are together. Well its more like "I'm silly and he's mature", but sometimes I get him to be silly with me.


That's us!







:) We are too cool!


Hahahahaha. Makes me laugh EVERYtime. I love his laugh, especially when he's laughing so hard he can't control it.



Awww! (I bet you "Aw"ed?)


This reminds me of "Ann of Green Gables"..where Ann talks to Gilbert over the fence. So sweet!







..and, of course, we had to fit some camera stuff in. I like taking pretty pictures.


He makes me feel soo protected. He my as I call him.


He's pretty much the most handsome thing on planet earth. Yep, thats offical!













He loves me!


I love him!


We really are best friends. We make quite the couple.


Hey Reed, maybe we should be face models. Nah, I think YOU should just be the face model.

His eyes are blue--her favorite color is blue. Her eyes are green--his favorite color is green. :)




The bling bling again.















The wedding is 24 days away!!!!!!!!! Ahhhh. SO. MUCH. EXCITEMENT. stored in my body.

{Engagement} Ben + Elizabeth

FRIENDS, I think that is the very best way to start out a relationship between and guy and girl. That's exactly how Elizabeth + Ben started out. They met first at Springhill, a Christian camp, in 2008 where they were co-counselors. They became friends and after camp, they stayed in contact until 2010, and that's when they really saw a spark between them and ben started pursuing her as more then just a friend. Eventually they did start dating and falling more and more in love with each other everyday......As bf/gf and the best of friends!

Hmm, their so cute!










Ben loves how fun and loving Elizabeth is!!!!!!!! Her caring spirit is what he loves most about her though.


Elizabeth loves Ben's laugh and sense of humor. She especially loves how pasionate Ben is about the things he does.






THE PROPOSAL-On October 27, 2011, E went to B's house after work. They sat and talked for a little while before B asked E if she would like to go on a walk. They got in the car and went to Pill Hill park. B told E there was a neat trail that he found while he was mountain biking that he wanted her to see. They started going down the trail and came to a clearing where B said he had to go back to go to the bathroom. E waited for B in the clearing. A couple of minutes later, B's friend, Joe, appeared and set up a table and chair for E to sit at and enjoy cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. E didn't suspect anything was up until she saw Joe. After Joe left, two of the high school guys in B's youth group, Austin and Timothy, came out and played E a song on the guitar. They also brought her 2 roses that B had written notes on. After they played, they set up a boom box and the song, "Look After You", by The Fray started playing. After they left, B appeared in a suit and got down on one knee and asked E to marry him. The rest is history!! (awwww, I'm a sucker for a good love story!!!!).

Ben picked out the ring ALL BY HIMSELF. No help!!!!!! Needless to say Elizabeth LOVES her ring. (I also loved it, he did a great job. it's gorgeous..!)


They were so fun and cute together. I could tell, by just being with them for a little while, that they both passionately love each other.








They both love to Hike and play tennis together, and drink coffee from Caribou Coffee ;). Cooking was also another favorite thing they love doing together. :) Sounds like a perfect couple to me.













Soooo very excited for their wedding in March (shortly after mine!!).

Denny + Constance- Teaser

They are the cutest thing EVER!!! If I only had three words to describe this couple I would say- FUN. Perfect. Passionate. :)

{Engagement} Courtney + Daniel

Daniel and Courtney first met while working at The Monk’s Kitchen. It only took about a year and a half for them to actually begin talking. Finally one day at work they figured out that we were going to the same wedding that weekend. While at the wedding Daniel asked her to dance and he just had a feeling that she would one day be his, that was the beginning of the rest of their lives.
They hadn't realized how much they were in love with each other until he left to go back up to school in the fall of 2008. Daniel, some of his family, and Courtney took him up to school to help him move in, and when they pulled out of the parking lot to go home, leaving Daniel there, THEY BOTH felt like they were was going to fall apart. They had only been dating for around 2 months, but it was terrible! They KNEW they couldn't live without each other!!!!!!!!!!!









Then came the time for Daniel to buy the ring. He walked into the jewelerys knowing exactly what he ring he wanted to buy her. He took her out to her "Favorite" restaurant, Olive Garden, (girl after my own heart). He popped the question and she said 'YES'!





Daniel works at the Red's stadium and they are both HUGE fans!

{Engagement} Jake & Stephani

Their love story is simply adorable!!!!

Jake & Stephani had a gym class and band class together during freshman year of high school. They had a long conversation during a final exam in gym class and found out that they both loved sports and country music! They seemed to really enjoy each other’s company. So, on Valentine’s Day, Jake had a pink carnation sent to Stephani's homeroom (Insert an awwwww). She thought this was the sweetest thing EVER and decided to ask Jake out to the Turnabout dance--Jake agreed to go. After going out to dinner and to the dance, (Which they had a great time of course). However, they ended up drifting apart and didn't talk for awhile after that..(sad face).

A year later, during sophomore year, Jake and Stephani had another band class together. Slowly they started talking again, and Stephani asked Jake if he would drive her to the upcoming band concert. Jake agreed and drove Stephani. They had a great time and shared a lot of laughs. A few weeks after the band concert, Jake asked her out on HER first real date. After he picked her up at home, they bought ice cream at Dairy Queen and went on a drive in the dark. After talking and laughing for awhile, Jake suddenly pulled over on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. She was a little freaked out and wondered what he was doing. Jake switched on his brights and ran out of the car, yelling for her to join him. Scared, but wanting to know what was going on, Stephani got out of the car and followed Jake into complete darkness. Jake had taken her to the fossil beds by Caesar’s Creek! They both ran together to grab a rock as a souvenir (The rocks in the picture). When Jake dropped me off at home later that night, I wrote the date on her rock: 3-27-04. They have been in love ever since. (*Sniff Sniff*, I love a good love story!!!)








Jake picked out the ring himself!


On August 9, 2010, Jake decided that he was going to ask me to marry her. He went to the jeweler's, bought the ring, and went to K-Mart where he tracked down her dad. After asking her dad for Stephani's hand in marriage, her dad said, "Yes." He then picked her up and took her for a drive--something THEY always loved to do.
Around the spot where he took her for their first date, he got out of the car and went on a walk with her. They walked next to the creek and back up the trail. He planned on proposing to her by the overlook of the creek; however, when they got there an older man was sitting there reading! So, Jake decided against proposing there.
After that he took her to the exact place he took her on our first date: the fossil beds. We walked around and ended up sitting on the huge cement dam overlooking the fossil beds.
After sitting and talking for awhile, Jake turned around and got down on one knee and asked her to marry him, and she said "YES!".




They've known each other 7 1/2 years!!!! Their so perfect together!












The rocks we spoke of lol.