Analee and Nate: Engagement

Analee and Nate are awesome. That's pretty much all there is to it. They're cute, sweet, laid-back, and you can just tell that they take good care of each other. Just awesome and IN LOVE!

Analee and I began communicating about wedding photography towards the end of the summer. As soon as I received her first email, I knew I knew her from somewhere - her name was so familiar! Analee and I grew up in the same town, but went to different schools so our paths never crossed. Until now. A friend referred her to me (thanks Kristina) and here we are - photographer and bride-to-be! I love it!

We met up for Analee and Nate's engagement session at Devil's Backbone Park near Hagerstown, MD. This first picture may be my favorite of the entire collection.

Nate is a HUGE North Carolina fan so you'll notice the Tarheels blanket and colors in a few pictures. I love when my couples bring props. :)

A little snuggle time in the Tarheels blanket.

Aaahhhh! You guys are so friggin' cute!

Another favorite.

A little vintage look to spice things up.

So I love to play with sun flare. After I discovered how to use it to my advantage during shoots, I try to rock it out all the time! During Analee and Nate's session, my rocking out of the sun flare was a great success!

Oh my goodness I am in love with these colors! I barely touched them in Photoshop.

Again, loving the colors!

Um, CUTENESS!

The vintage look is perfect for this little pose. So old-school-tough-on-the-playground, don't ya think?!

I love the colors in this one. Such beautiful skin.

Check out Analee and Nate in this one. They are SO into that kiss, aren't they? Haha. I love the passion, even if it wasn't on purpose. :)

Analee and Nate - I had such a wonderful time during your engagement session and I was so excited to finally meet you two! Your August wedding is going to be awesome and I cannot wait to be with you on your special day.

The Wert Family: Lifestyle Portraits

My wonderful friend Laura referred this next family to me...

The Werts are a cute, young family and I had a blast during their portrait session! I'll admit, however, that I was a bit uneasy going into it because Melanie and Steve (the Werts) have three kids under the age of five. I am not around kids much so was a bit inexperienced going into it. Turns out that Abigail, Harrison and Jonah are sweet, fun-loving kids that love to pose for the camera.

All three of them smiling and looking in one direction! And this is one of the first photos of the day! Hot dog!

Abigail especially loved the camera.

Jonah was quite the cheeser as well.

You can just sense the joy and happiness in this face!

Time for the whole family! I loved their coordinating PINK outfits! Steve - I wish I could get Brian to wear pink. Real men wear pink.

One of my favorites!

I understand from Melanie, Steve and friends that this picture was an instant classic.

Of course we had to get pictures of the happy parents.

"Now look at each other and smile, like you do all the time!" Haha. That usually gets my couples to laugh.

After we finished up pictures outside, it was time to head inside for more pictures and an outfit change. Melanie just started homeschooling so I took some shots of their "classroom" before we got going again.

Harrison - starting young.

Abigail was so excited to show me her room. I loved all the colors!

I am so glad they were up for this! What a great shot!

Possibly my favorite from the entire collection. Tickling works wonders when you're trying to get everyone to laugh.

Wert Family - thank you so much for inviting me to your home to take pictures! I had a wonderful time hanging out with guys and am so glad you're enjoying your portraits! You have such a beautiful family.

And Laura - thanks for introducing me to the Werts and for referring them to me. You were also a HUGE help during the session so some of the laughs and smiles are definitely credited to you. THANKS!

Mandy: Senior Portraits

Mandy is a friend of a friend. Actually, she's a friend of my previous senior, Elizabeth. Just like Elizabeth, Mandy and her family also go to my church. I was very delighted when Mandy's mom asked me to take her senior pictures.

We started at Mandy's home in Hagerstown, then visited the Antietam Recreational Center (after getting special permission to be on the property after hours), and finished up at Mandy's cousin's willow tree. We had perfect weather - sunshine and not-so-hot temperatures. Combine that with Mandy's gorgeous blonde hair, beautiful blue eyes, and piercing look, and we've got some very nice senior portraits.

In no particular order...

The Antietam Rec Center has got a great "old town" set-up. I love this shot we got of Mandy in front of the "General Store" at the old town.

This picture became an instant favorite of Mandy and her Mom. It's definitely one of my favorites, too! Check out that awesome smile!

After going through all 400+ images that we took during the session, I started realizing that Mandy totally looks like Bonnie Hunt! Especially here....

The willow tree created such a dramatic and unique setting...

Here's a semi-piercing look from Mandy...

Beautiful, strong, piercing look. And Mandy does it naturally. Love it!

I think this is my favorite. Thanks for laying in and amongst the logs, Mandy!

Mandy and her two dogs.

Thanks for a great session, Mandy! The pictures turned out beautifully! Good luck in your senior year!

Kyley and Jake: Engagement

I met Kyley and Jake a few years ago when Brian moved to Hagerstown, MD. Kyley and Brian both work for the same company, and since she is so awesome, our friendship was bound to happen. Kyley and Jake now live in the same community as Brian and I, about ten doors down to be exact.

Kyley and Jake had been dating for about three years and she was itching to get engaged. When jake finally popped the question in Las Vegas, we were so excited! Right away, I offered my photog services for their engagement pictures. I am so glad they accepted!

We started at Renfrew Park in Waynesboro, PA. I scoped out the area beforehand so I knew exactly where I wanted to take them.

Definitely one of my favorites from the session.

LOVE how this one turned out.

When I saw this water fountain, I just knew Jake and Kyley would be the perfect couple to use it. I told them to splash water on each other and they did. It definitely helps to describe their personalities and relationship. They're fun!

Next stop: High Rock, MD. After Brian and I visited High Rock earlier in the summer, I was dying to get some engagement pictures there! I love the grafitti and all its colors.

Of course we had to have a little playful fun. Can you believe these two are getting married? Steelers vs. Cowboys. Not good. Made for good pictures, though. :)

Kyley and Jake: thank you so much for having me take your engagement pictures! You two were incredibly relaxed and totally go-with-the-flow. I cannot wait until your August wedding next year! It's going to be beautiful!