Wayne & Sheila // Yorktown Beach Engagement Photographer

Strength. It's what a lot of people wish they had, but often don't when times get tough. Joy in the midst of strength is an even harder trait to come by. Over the past few months, as I've gotten to know Sheila, I have found that she possesses both of those qualities, in a very special way.

Sheila's mom deals with a lot of health-related struggles, and has for some time. We even had to postpone their engagement session once because of a few unfortunate circumstances. Yet when Wayne and Sheila showed up to their rescheduled session, they were nothing but smiles and laughter.

It was really Wayne's 'fault' that we ended up at Yorktown Beach, at sunrise, on a particularly chilly December day. Back when he proposed many months ago, he took Sheila out to that same beach and gave her a beautiful handmade box (which you'll see below). Inside was a wring and the words "Will You Marry Me?" So when it came to picking out a location for them, the choice was obvious.

Sheila exudes joy. She is bubbly and full of life. Wayne and her go together like two peas in a pod - where she is chatty, he is quiet. Where she becomes serious, he makes her laugh again. Together, their love for each other and their zest for life is evident and beautiful. I can only imagine what their big day in February will be like...

SUCH a cute way to propose!

And so we end where they began...by his truck on Yorktown Beach :)

Rob & Lisa // Newport News Engagement Photographer

I have the absolute privilege of being friends with these two wonderful people. Lisa and her boys (you can see them here) have been our neighbors for four years, and we're so grateful that they have! When Rob came into Lisa's life a little while ago, we knew from the beginning that they are perfect together. So when they got engaged this summer in beautiful Hawaii, we were so excited to see this little family grow!

Rob and Lisa came out for one of my mini sessions supporting my adoption, but since it was their engagement shoot, I couldn't help but blog my favorites. I'm so excited for their wedding next August in Virginia Beach, and I'm so grateful to be the photographer for their big day. It's going to be a special one for sure!

Thanks for being awesome neighbors, Rob and Lisa, and for being so much fun for your engagement pictures (even if it meant that Rob missed a little football). I can't wait to see you two get married in just 9 more months!

Cory & Mae // Downtown Staunton Engagement Photographer

How do you begin a post about your closest friend and your older sister getting married? I suppose I will start with thankfulness - that my sister is getting married, that Cory came into Mae's life, and that I get to be a part of the whole thing. A couple weekends ago, I visited Mae with plans to take all of their engagement pictures. Halfway through dinner that evening, though, it started to rain harder than I've seen in a long time. We laughed it off, thinking we would just have to take pictures the next day.

But then, the rain stopped. The clouds stayed overhead, but as the sun continued to set, the colors became more beautiful and vibrant with each passing minute. So for one hour, we spent time together laughing, talking, taking pictures, and witnessing something beautiful. Trust me - we'll get more later! But these are a good start :)

Cory and Mae are perfect for each other. From the sweet way she has to stand on her very tippy toes to kiss him, to the gentle way he bends down to hold her and kiss her back, they just fit together. Mae is kind, beautiful, and gracious, and Cory is steadfast, gentle, and thoughtful. Together, they are constantly making each other laugh and peppering in as many kisses as they can in the meantime.

As I look back over the first set of their engagement pictures and wipe away the little tears from my eyes, I continue to realize that God made these two for each other, and God made Cory for our family. I love you both so much, and I'm so thankful to be your photographer, sister, and friend!