I have a big soft spot in my heart for couples who are up for to trying out new locations with me. Even if that means we have to hike a little ways, or even stop to watch some wildlife on the way. ;-)

I also love photographing couples who laugh together so easily. Take Steve + Lindsey, for example. I loosely set them up into this pose at the beginning of their session, and within seconds, this is what happened:

Very early on in the session, I found out this was a couple I could easily joke around with, so when I was picking out a sneak peek to post on my Instagram account, I chose that first giggly photo and captioned it “These two came all the way to the Black Hills to get their engagement photos taken tonight, and all they got was this photo in front of a white wall.” :-) But don’t worry, I took them out to the forest to get some great scenery images, too – just you wait!! :-)

**side note: Instagram the first place where I share photos from sessions now, so follow along (@studiolb) to be the first to see such beautifulness!

Before Steve + Lindsey traveled out to the Black Hills for their session, I had asked Lindsey if she had any requests of where to go. She requested forest and sunset. Hopefully this is what she had in mind. :-)

Steve + Lindsey – I can’t thank you enough for being so willing and excited to try out these new locations with me! Thanks for hiking with me, for teaching me about paw prints, for taking a couple ‘just one more’ photos, and for all the thumbs-ups. ;-) I am so looking forward to your wedding in July!!

I have been so excited for it to finally be warm enough for engagement sessions out here in the Black Hills!! I have been scouting for new forest locations in preparation for upcoming sessions, and Kris + Gretchen were just as excited as I was to try out a couple new spots near Sturgis!

Kris + Gretchen – Thank you, for climbing over+under fallen trees, and getting your shoes a little dirty just to get to a great photo spot. :-) Your love is so kind and sweet. The two of you make *beautiful* photos and I can’t wait to create some more for you at your wedding!! :-)

Welcome to my first wedding of 2014 – it’s a good one. :-)

Brad and Jordin are the most calm, thoughtful, fun, good-hearted people I have had the pleasure of photographing. When I walked into Jordin’s suite as she was having the finishing touches of her makeup applied, I asked how she was doing and she said, “I’m so calm!!!” Maybe not with that many exclamation points, but she seemed surprised that everything was going so smoothly and that she was enjoying the day so far.

Later in the day, after they had welcomed all their guests to their reception, I asked Jordin again how she was and she said, “I’m having so much fun!!!” I was so proud, because that’s *exactly* how couples should feel about their wedding day! Relax, have fun, and enjoy being surrounded by the people who love you! :-)

p.s. If you’re getting married in Sioux Falls and need a hair + makeup artist – get Angelique from Platinum Imagination – she is seriously the best!!

I looove the part of getting ready when a bride puts her earrings on – so calm and beautiful. And can we take a moment to ogle Jordin? Dayum, girl!!

Brad + Jordin’s first look was so sweet – in between hugs and kisses they kept taking a step back from each other and admiring how good they looked! I think they were both very pleased.

Look at these two, being all married and such!! :-)

In between the mother/son and father/daughter dance, Jordin slipped into this little surprise number so she could more easily ‘boogy down’ – have I mentioned how FUN these guys are?!

Brad + Jordin – Thank you so much for being the most wonderful couple!! Thanks for going along with my silly photo ideas (p.s. you totally rocked the Justin + Jessica pose!) and for being so incredibly in love that it shines. You make me love my ‘job’ even more!