What can I say about these two. Social media land connected Lizzi and I, as she now works in the same office I worked at when I was on staff with Kansas State University. While we didn’t know each other there, it was so fun to receive an email from her this summer after Cortez surprised her on their old high school football field with a proposal! Yep, these two are high school sweethearts (just like J and I!) and have managed to grow up, handle long distance during college and now working/wedding planning life! 

This summer our SKYPE consultation felt like hanging out with old friends. We laughed about awkward high school pictures, they met K (who says their relationship is “goals”- ha!), and I had J hop on the call when I found out that Cortez is a Pokemon Go master (seriously, if only we could be as good as him!). They are just those kind of people that you want to spend time with! So, you can imagine how much fun we had during their engagement session in Manhattan when I was back in Kansas last week. 

They started with their Junction City High School letterman jackets (I can’t) and then changed while we ventured from Annenberg Park  to Poyntz Avenue. Lizzi’s sweet momma came along, Cortez endured the outfits Lizzi had picked for him, and it was just the best. Oh, and I can’t forget to mention Lizzi’s ring! I’ve never had a bride wear a 5 generation diamond but that’s how old Lizzi’s is! And the neatest part? Every woman in the family has had it removed from their band to give to the next couple when the time comes. So, her mom is currently wearing a glass diamond in her setting because she had it pulled this summer for Cortez to make Lizzi’s ring! So amazing! 

Lizzi & Cortez, 
I seriously love ya’ll. Thank you so much for including me in your story, for the joy you spread to others, and for taking love seriously! You are an inspiration for kids like K (and that says a lot!) and are just plain trendy. All the things. Can’t wait for April! 

Hi friends! 

AH! I have SO much to catch you up on that will be coming to the blog soon, but, I am OFFICIALLY full-time with Laura Foote and today I had the opportunity to host my first webinar! So exciting! 

The La Brisa Aspiring Photography Workshop was started by Chris Hsieh and I have been a member for 6-7 years. Chris has been building community and offering educational opportunities since long before it was trendy in the industry and I respect him so much for that! Also, he was our wedding photographer so I’m a bit biased 🙂 

As part of the education within the group, Chris has been asking different photographers to host 30 minute “ask me anything” sessions on Facebook Live. Group members can ask questions ahead of time, or, ask while the live streaming is happening! Facebook live is only allowed from tablets/phones, so, the video quality is not amazing, but I thought some of you might want to listen to some of what we chatted about today! 

Warning: there is dancing. And an appearance by Jenny the Hound. 

Thanks so much to the APW group and Chris for hosting me today! I am so excited to do more teaching, speaking, and mentoring this year and this was an amazing and fun start! 

Next speaking event: Wednesday, July 13th- 

xo!

Hi friends! 

Thanks for tuning in to my semi-awkward “what’s next” announcement video! I’ve been so excited to share this news with you and am ready to celebrate! So grateful for your support, encouragement and excitement! Jenny the Hound is too…. you’ll clearly see her enthusiasm in the video 😉 

Robinson & Claudia are definitely one of those couples who remind me of why I do this work and why it has so much meaning beyond just making and delivering pretty pictures. Though we belong to the same church community, we had not really met until we got together for their wedding consultation. They graciously ate my pot roast and munched on cheddar cheese and italian bread. Claudia tried a blush wine that she didn’t totally hate and they shared stories about their families and their journey thus far together. 

It was the best night. A night that ended with me thinking “gosh, I really hope I get to work with them!” And now here we are, just 7 months from their wedding! 

Their engagement session took us first to my always favorite spot, Rivercrest Park. As soon as they got out of the car their shoes were off and they were ready to walk, laugh and enjoy the sunshine. They even busted out a few highly impressive yoga moves! (Claudia is in the process of becoming a certified instructor). 

We left Rivercrest to head to downtown and these two changed their look from barefoot and casual to straight up fierce. Seriously! Robinson’s cuff’s, Claudia’s shoes, the warm sunlight. Ow ow, for sure! 

Robinson & Claudia, 
You two are amazing. The way God has and will continue to grow your love for each other and for Him is evident and I am so blessed just being around you! Thanks for the most fun night. I cannot wait until November!! 

When I moved to Tampa three years ago for grad school I had one friend in Tampa. I was heading into a graduate program with a cohort model in place so I was hoping to meet some people there, but having been out of school a few years I really didn’t know how well I would fit in. 

Enter Wisam. One of my best and most unexpected grad school friends. 

He is a Michigan grad and we first connected over the “midwest”. Disney & food followed and I’m so thankful I had him in my life, especially during my first 6 months here when J was in Kansas. 

When I met his girlfriend Julie, I couldn’t have been more excited. They are one of those couples that fit each other like a glove. Soon, she’ll be a graduate of our same program and together they are living and working on campus. Sooooo you can imagine J and I’s excitement when Wisam shared that he would be PROPOSING and wanted us to be involved! 

Plans were put into motion for the question to be popped at the top of the Historic St. Augustine Lighthouse and it could not have been a more fun and perfect night. Julie almost didn’t make it out at the top (fear of heights + killer stairs= her EARNING that bling) but when she did, and Wis dropped to one knee, we were all crying!! 

At one point Julie caught her breath, looked up and said “I should have KNOWN this was happening today when he agreed to match!” We all laughed. Their colors were definitely on point! 

We all eventually made the trek back down the 200 + stairs for more surprises at the bottom including the cutest monogrammed bracelet from one of Julie’s best friends. Bubbly was poured and we ended the night exploring the historic grounds of the lighthouse. 

What an INCREDIBLE proposal for an amazing couple! 

Julie & Wis, 
We love you guys are are so thankful you included us in this amazing moment! 

Easter has a different meaning this year as we’ve experienced just a drop of the sacrificial love Jesus offers each of us in learning to love K & her family. I never thought praying about fostering teenagers would lead us to doing so “unconventionally” but I’m grateful for a God who uses the kingdom to steward love and provision; for this beautiful girl and her life, a spare bedroom, cooperative school system, beyond generous friends and an incredible husband who loves all us girls (including jenny dog) so well.

Whether parenting a biological newborn or a 17.5 year old next door neighbor, I’m learning that your heart truly does beat outside of your chest which provides such an opportunity to be pushed back into the father’s arms. He is risen, my friends, and even better He is alive and I know this to be true if only by the work He’s done in our life that would be utterly impossible otherwise.

P.S. When dropping teenagers off at a dance, don’t cry. It’s not cool.