2019 was the hardest year for me personally. After weeks of agonizing over what our life might look like with a Trisomy 18 baby, our sweet Cecilia made her entrance early, and her time with us was very, very short. I vowed to cherish each and every day that I’m given, and 2019 ended up being a year of so much growth and focus. My life revolved around the things that were important to me, and the things that were not so important were easy to brush off (hence my lack of online presence this past year).

Before we knew Cecilia had Trisomy 18, I had limited the amount of work I would take on, knowing that I would want to cherish the summer with my family. I just didn’t know how *much* I would treasure that time.

When I was working, I was gifted the most wonderful people to be around. People who were also living their days intentionally, and making the time to celebrate each other. This filled my heart just as much as those days at home with my family.

In 2019 I spent time gardening, adventuring, celebrating all seasons of life – from small moments to big ones – and I know that each person I had the honor of spending time with this year was for a reason.

I spent time with ‘new’ couples, and with couples who I’ve known for a while, and are so close to my heart – time with them was like going back in time, when everything was ‘normal,’ and eventually when a tear would slip out of my eye, I was wrapped in a most sincere hug.

In 2019, I was able to document big, new beginnings, but also in-between, just as important memories: a birthday, a family vacation, a military spouse reunion, a man’s last ‘good’ day with his whole family before cancer took over. One thing I’ve realized this year is that each day is worth celebrating, no matter the circumstances. I am so honored to have witnessed all kinds of memories for the people in front of my camera.

In February, a new ‘season’ of our lives began – grieving the loss of our daughter. I also carved out a pocket of time that month to do something to make my mind switch gears. One afternoon, I met Dustin + Cahri for some beautifully cold engagement photos. Cahri and I grew up in the same town, and seeing her so happy and comfortable (despite the wind blowing flurries of snowflakes into her face) with Dustin (who has also suffered the loss of someone very close to him) was just what my heart needed that month – to see an example of the beauty of life after loss. I will forever be grateful for this sweet couple.

Then, later in the summer, I was reunited with a client-turned-best-friend who helped me through some of the hardest days of my grief. Over ten years ago, Marcy lost her baby girl, and all this time later, she still had the insight to know what I was feeling and when, and to have just the right words to make me feel better. Being able to see her and hug her in person was so uplifting. Being able to wander and have fun with her and David in the Badlands was the icing on the cake.

And who can forget this super fun kayak adventure with Matt + Ashley?! I mostly spent the afternoon in ‘video’ mode, but I love this photo because it perfectly encapsulates their genuine happiness and love, plus the peace and simplicity of their favorite place to kayak in the Black Hills.

I got to spend time with Fabian + Alysse and his daughter before their September wedding, and I’m now a fan of Wyoming and the color yellow.

Cody + Justine’s anniversary adventure was a little less adventurous than we planned, because we got two feet of slushy snow at the end of May which prevented us from hiking the trail we wanted. But it was still adventurous in the way that every day is what you make of it, and we had a pretty great time.

I realize this is probably a ‘standard Pinterest pose,’ but what I loved about this moment was that Cody was trying to remember the words to their first dance song, and all he could come up with was the title, so he kept repeating it over and over. :-D

Weddings are so full of different kinds of emotions and memories. I love how the mood can change from serious to hilarious so quickly! Here, Alysse’s mom and sister are helping her into her dress – there were lots of people in this room watching, but the connection between these three was so beautiful.

And then this beautiful staged moment, where Cahri’s mom pretended to fasten her dress, then joked to the other girls, “How’d I do?”

Again, another beautiful moment followed by a good laugh – Cahri’s phone didn’t recognize her wedding-day face, so she had to type in her passcode.

p.s. I still love the intimacy of a first look – no one else around, just a soon-to-be husband and wife sharing how excited they are!

Let’s focus on the kids a bit, shall we? They’re easily the most entertaining part of a wedding. Here, the bride’s nephew shares a single Goldfish cracker with the groom just before the ceremony (in case he was hungry).

…and this gaggle of a miniature wedding party to start the ceremony. Check the next photo for the little boy who ‘got one’ with his fishing rod mid-processional. ;-)

Then, the bride’s reaction as she followed all that cuteness.

Some first looks aren’t as secluded as the one I showed earlier, but even with all their guests between them, this groom had quite the beautiful, intimate moment with his bride as he saw her for the very first time in her wedding dress.

There’s nothing more intimate than an elopement, and I loved all the uninhibited emotions showing up this day!

Danny gave a tearful speech for his vows, and then we all shared a little chuckle as Mary, their officiant, was prepared with tissues for the couple.

Another laughable moment was when Tane forgot Elle’s ring and had to use his sister-in-law’s ring during the ceremony – this was the moment he had to explain what happened to the pastor, while Elle looks over at the ring’s owner! I love how this little detail (which could be a huge detail to some) was so funny in the moment because it didn’t *really* matter (he could have used a ring pop, just how he proposed) and they still joined their lives together as one that day.

These kids had the best seats in the house for this wedding!!

And this pastor made the.most.amazing painting for this wonderful couple (see the original blog post for more of that story).

I like to focus on the couple during the majority of the day, but I’m also always looking for little moments that make their day so unique, like parents holding hands, or grandparents comforting tired babies.

That moment when you’re all ready for the family photo, but then realize the bride’s brother wandered off, so we’re *all* waiting for him to make his way back! Again, notice the joy in this moment!

These next few photos are from a wedding I never shared on the blog. The groom’s job doesn’t allow him to share his face online, and he doesn’t really enjoy photos to begin with, so when this day arrived, I was so excited about how in-the-moment and accommodating he was to any and all photos, I was more focused on getting them a whole bunch of moments for them to treasure forever. The blog was the least of my concerns that day. I did get these few without his face showing, and it was a beautiful day, so here’s a few for me to remember what a blessing this day and this year was. (Because let’s be honest, most days I didn’t want to show my face anywhere, but it still ended up being a beautiful, memorable year.)

Aside from ‘new’ weddings, I had the pleasure of working with past wedding clients in new phases of life. This is Beth and Kasen, who wanted some professional head shots, but we spent most of our time together goofing around and catching up.

Eric and BMae had their first baby! Another evening spent being goofy and chatting about life. When I sent these photos off to them, Eric said, “wow, we look way cooler than we are in real life!” Hahaha! So, if you’re ever worried about being too dorky for pictures, just know that I see you and I love you, and it is possible to have fun *and* make beautiful photos. ;-)

Danny + Chanda originally wanted their elopement to be at sunrise, but when I heard they had a little girl, I was glad they changed their ceremony time to when she would be happiest. Wedding days should be as relaxing as possible – there’s no reason to add stress to the day just because of what the light might be doing!

Because really, who cares about the light when your son thinks that dandelions are for tasting, not blowing? It’s all about the memories. ;-)

I was so, so, so excited to see Jesse + Elizabeth again seven years after their wedding, and to meet their daughter! But the circumstances were less than ideal – Jesse’s dad had been diagnosed with cancer, and this would be their last time together as a family.

We only had a few minutes with Jesse’s dad before he needed to go back inside to rest, and my favorite family photo is this one, where he’s looking down, admiring his granddaughter.

Okay, wiping away my tears now, Andrew and Tremaine were back in the hills to celebrate their son’s first birthday (with a really yummy donut) and their sixth wedding anniversary!

Then there was the Robbins family, who spent a week enjoying the finer things in life at Custer State Park – playing with rocks, and throwing them in the water. :-)

And finally, the most beautiful, honest, romantic reunion I’ve ever witnessed. Andrew was overseas for a year, and from the moment he was back in Meghan’s arms, they were inseparable – even waiting for his luggage! (Also, notice the lady in the chair who also obviously felt the love in this moment.)

Seriously, is this not the most romantic baggage claim moment you’ve ever seen?

So, from my family to yours, thank you for making this year way more beautiful and memorable than I thought it could be. I heard recently that, “Grief is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All of that unspent love gathers in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in the hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.” (Jamie Anderson) So, thank you to all who have shown and shared love your love with me this past year, and allowed me to love you back in the way I knew how (with my camera, and spending quality time together).

Let’s keep sharing the love, and savoring those ‘everyday moments’ in 2020! :-)

Back when we thought we were going to have three kids at home this year, I purposefully chose not to schedule any weddings before June, or further than an hour away from our home – I wanted to cherish as much time as possible with our new baby. Turning down these weddings greatly reduced the number of work I took on for the year, but I trusted that God’s plan was greater.

Our sweet daughter arrived early, and she didn’t stay with us for long, giving us a lot more ‘free time’ than we had originally planned for. Lots of that time was spent grieving, but also cherishing the gift of our first two children even more. We viewed each day as an adventure, and we were very intentional with our evenings and weekends together.

Being immersed in this lifestyle and mindset, the ‘work’ that I did accept was simply more rewarding, and I savored the in-between moments even more than I have before.

I wasn’t focused on getting Instagram-worthy photos that would gain a lot of likes or comments, or even sharing any photos on the blog – my focus was on the people in front of my camera, and as soon as their images were handed over, my attention turned back to our family.

I simply witnessed the beautiful lives interacting in front of my camera. What I saw was so much love. I saw a grandfather snuggling his only grandchild while his cancer drained the life right out of him. I watched a wife welcome her husband back home after a year-long deployment, and wait for his belongings at baggage claim together (such a simple act filled with so much joy). I’ve gotten time to catch up with past brides and grooms, hearing where life has taken them, and for a couple of those couples, I also got to meet their growing babies. And for the people who were in front of my camera for the first time, instead of telling them how to pose, I let a lot more natural moments unfold, which were far better than anything I could have imagined for them.

Some of these stories might get some more attention in my yearly ‘best of MOMENTS’ blog post coming up, but for now, I just want to say a simple ‘thank you’ to everyone who has invited me to document their lives this year. You are such a gift.

“Real but also silly.” My favorite kind of people, and those are exactly the words Chanda used to describe herself and Dan! They brought their parents and their daughter to the Black Hills to witness the first moments of their marriage, then they all went out for some old-timey photos. A pretty great blend of ‘real and silly’ if you ask me! :-)

They started off their elopement with a first look, giving them a chance to soak it all in and enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills (and each other). ;-)

Since their little girl was all smiles, she joined in on the little love fest for a few family photos before the ceremony.

Mary Maisey-Ireland of Your Joyful Wedding does a fantastic job organizing and creating the most personal ceremonies!

Dan + Chanda’s heartfelt vows had us all a little misty-eyed!

After exchanging vows and rings, their little girl joined in for a feather ceremony, which Mary put together the most beautiful words for:

“Feathers have been used in our homes and on our bodies since we first caught birds. They decorated our hair, our garments, our hats. They warm our bodies in the form of down jackets and soften our beds as pillows, mattress toppers and comforters. Some of the world’s greatest literary works were penned using feather quills.

“For some cultures, feathers represent our connection to the spirit world. Native American tribes believe that hawks and eagles carry our prayers to the Great Spirit. The Iroquois used feathers to express gratitude for the bounty of the earth. Christians imagine that angels’ wings are made of feathers.

“Feathers can be about inspiration, about surpassing our limits, taking flight as it were. They can be used to tickle, and they can even remind us to take ourselves lightly.

“All of this symbolism is so fitting for a family. May you use your love to warm and comfort one another, to inspire each other, to give thanks to each other and for the gifts in your life, to exceed any self-limiting beliefs you may have about yourselves, and to remember to always find something to laugh about.”

All of the beautiful-ness you see here was put together by Sarah from The Vintage Lease – she brought the food, arranged the table, and put together the bouquets (and even had extra raspberries just for Dan + Chanda’s little girl while they enjoyed their breakfast/scenery).

*clink!*

Soaking in that Black Hills view!

2018 was another year full of sweet, fun-loving couples who savored every moment of their wedding day, and also didn’t take themselves too seriously (my favorite combination).

Every January, I put together my favorite images from the previous year. This January, we were busy with doctor appointments and praying for calm hearts, while preparing to meet our daughter who was diagnosed with Trisomy 18. Then, she surprised us by arriving a month and a half early on February 1st. Our days were filled with so many mixed emotions. Joy that we got to meet her and love on her, sorrow that we had to let her go so soon, and confusion as to how to move on.

During that confusing time of mixed emotions, I received so many lovely messages from the couples I have photographed. I always feel connected to the couples who trust me to document their wedding (we spend a decent amount of time together – bonding is bound to happen), but when they turned to me with their love and support these past couple of months, I felt such an overwhelming sense of love.

These couples I photograph are more than ‘just weddings.’ They are preparing for and celebrating the first day of their marriage. They are lovely human beings who care deeply about their family and friends, and they simply want to gather and enjoy the day together.

My two main goals for my couples is to document their life as it’s happening, *and* to create some lovely portraits for them to treasure and show their children and grandchildren. So here is my ‘best of 2018’ – the moments, the portraits, and everything in between. Enjoy!!

First up, Michael + Rebecca’s first look that lasted 68 seconds. Go ahead, give someone you love a hug for 68 seconds and see how good it feels!!

David + Marcy traveled to the Black Hills for a fun weekend full of hiking, and they agreed to meet up for a second engagement session. So much fun!!

This anniversary session still has me on cloud nine – who wants to hike up here with me this summer?

The way the breeze wanted in on Thomas + Alicia’s snuggle!! Sometimes portraits turn into moments with the help of mother nature. :-)

It rained all day this day, so we got creative and ducked inside any building that had lovely windows. I love this little portrait/moment they had together!

Another ‘portrait turned moment’ – after these two said their vows, we took off for some portraits (which is also great for a bride and groom to focus on each other instead of reception details). We pulled up to the lake and we were caught in an instant downpour!! We waited in the car for it to let up (I told you about that wedding day bonding! ;-)), but as we walked to the water, another little shower came through and created this magic.

And now, we’ll move over to engagement photos. Yes, it’s a time to ‘get good pictures for save the date cards’ but it’s also to showcase a couple in their natural state. Happy, in love, goofy, carefree. I hope you see that in these next few photos! :-)

I told Eric + Brianna to walk to that spot in the sunshine and ‘do a little dance’ – this is what they came up with!! So perfectly them!! Haha!!

Before Lex + Heidi’s engagement session, I asked them a few ‘get to know you’ questions. One was, ‘What quality do you love most about each other?’ Her response was how he made her feel safe and secure. Throughout their session, I kept waiting for this moment to happen naturally – Lex’s arm around Heidi’s shoulders. Holding her safe and secure as they walked along. :-)

Did I mention I like to capture the goofy side of couples? ;-)

The *most* natural they could be – fishing!!

Now, I don’t post a lot of detail photos unless I know the meaning or significance behind it… this heart-shaped ring bowl was hand-carved by the groom, and he surprised his bride with it on their wedding day!

On to the wedding day portraits and moments. First looks are always full of emotions, and I enjoy watching each one unfold!!

And then there was this first look with Amy and her dad. I love their identical reactions – speechless, crying, then laughing!

Now, to the next part of the day – bride and groom portraits! I always give my couples plenty of time and space for their first look, because I never want to cut that moment short. So, after I’ve gotten a wave or a ‘so… what’s next?’ we do a few portraits before the family and wedding party join in.

This ‘portrait’ is not a portrait. They eloped last winter in their backyard, and hired me to photograph some portraits and their reception. But I did something a little sneaky. I got a copy of their vows from a mutual friend of ours, and had them re-read them in this storefront (tucked away from the non-stop rain). My favorite line was how they vowed to love each other in sunshine and rain. They read these vows for the first time in the winter, and now again in the rain. (Who’s getting misty eyed? Just me? Sure, okay.)

By the time I’ve walked around with my couples, most of the wedding party/family have gathered for group photos. But sometimes… we wait… Haha!! I feel like Lex and his twin brother have been in this situation more than once in their lives!!

Waiting for everyone to arrive and get organized is also a great time for candids with the littlest wedding party members! :-)

… and sometimes the littlest don’t want to be in any photos…

Then there was that one time I forced a groom’s brother to stand closer than he was comfortable and it resulted in a very awkward, hilarious moment that I hope they all remember forever.

Who tooted? Haha!!!!

Okay, okay, back to some sweet moments! The ceremony always brings out all the emotions!

Yes, this next images is from a styled elopement, and yes Mary Maisey-Ireland is this invested in every single couple I have seen her work with!

After the ceremony, it’s easy to see how relaxed my couples are. The ‘hard part’ (saying their vows out loud in front of everyone) is over, and the rest of the day is just for fun! And, the light is lovely. ;-)

As you can see, portraits can be beautiful *and* fun! Now, moving on to the reception and dance… This little man is the groom’s nephew, and he turned seven the same day his uncle got married. That night was part wedding reception, part birthday party, and it was totally perfect!

I still love that Gina’s grandfather said the meal blessing for both her and her sister’s wedding a few years ago!

Mike + Becca didn’t have a dance after their morning wedding, so after their guests got settled in at the reception, they snuck back outside and danced to a song playing on Mike’s phone in his jacket pocket.

You’re probably thinking, ‘there’s nothing super special about this photo,’ and maybe you’re right, but I love it so much because I have another picture of these two dancing *just like this* at her sister’s wedding a few years ago, before they were engaged.

One thing I love about first dances is how a bride and groom hold each other naturally. They are so wrapped up in the moment, they don’t have time to think about ‘what to do with their hands,’ and it ends up being one of the most beautiful, genuine moments of a wedding day.

…and then there’s these ‘jazz hands’ from when Mike + Becca finished their ‘first dance.’ Hahaha!!

I also love the variation in mother/son and father/daughter dances. Marcy and her dad picked a classic country song, and swayed back and forth on the dance floor, with a few of these spins (just like my husband does with our four-year-old daughter) mixed in.

Brianna Mae and her dad picked a faster-paced song, providing the perfect tempo for a jitterbug and other fun moves. :-)

But this moment will forever be a favorite – Marcy dancing with her dad, looking up to her mother and daughter in heaven. *all the heart strings being pulled*

Heidi said she’s always been a grandpa’s girl, so when I saw them dancing as I was packing up my gear, I knew I had to quickly put it back up to catch this moment!

To all the couples planning their wedding dance, ask your DJ about doing a ‘generations dance’ – each and every married couple gets on the dance floor, and the DJ narrows the group down to the couple who has been married the longest. It’s a great excuse for all those husbands to ask their wives to dance (because they were basically told to ;-)), and it’s a lovely way to honor the couples who have been through ‘for better or worse.’

Dance off!! I’ve never seen a dance quite like John + Natalie’s – so many sweet moves!!

Lastly, something a little ‘new’ – some family photos I’ve had the honor of being a part of this past year. I don’t really consider myself a newborn or family photographer, but it’s so heartwarming to see my brides and grooms become parents and experience a new kind of ‘best day ever.’ For example, watching a ‘bride and groom’ hold a newborn and watch their toddler find joy in throwing rocks into a stream on a cool summer evening. Doesn’t that sound like a ‘best day ever’ kind of day to you?

Skinny newborn legs in daddy’s hand!

Mama snuggles are just the best.

Going through my favorites from the past year – I clearly have a thing for baby toes!!

Lastly… Walter the cat!! I’ve been to his house a few times, but I hadn’t actually seen him in over a year. When he came out from his hiding spot, baby Freya and I were both so excited!!

Whew! I think that’s all… for now… I had such a hard time narrowing these down! There are so many more sweet + funny moments from 2018, I’ll probably share more on my Facebook or Instagram accounts (because as anyone I’ve ever photographed knows, when I say I’m done, what I really mean is I’m not done and I just can’t help myself when it comes to good photos)!!

When Sarah from The Vintage Lease asked if I would be interested in photographing a styled elopement, I said YES without any hesitation for a few reasons:

1. Her work is so lovely and thoughtful, and I know her enough to trust her vision completely.
2. Elopements are small, so recreating any part of this shoot for a real wedding would be so easy and realistic!
3. SUNRISE IN THE BLACK HILLS, need I say more?

On the day of the shoot, I was so excited for what Sarah had put together, but I also wanted to be super intentional about making this look as real as possible, so we had our already-married models do a first look. They were so sweet to play along with all of our ideas, and I hope this styled elopement can provide plenty of real inspiration for anyone out there planning their own elopement. :-)

The groom then surprised his bride with some new earrings to match her wedding ring.The gorgeous ceremony site provided by Custer State Park, and lovely dress from Freckled Fox in Spearfish.The next ‘set up’ that actually turned more real than any part of the day was the couple meeting their officiant – Mary Maisey Ireland from Your Joyful Wedding. I have had the honor of working alongside Mary at many weddings, and she always has a way of putting everyone at ease. Yes, this was an awkward morning (a married couple pretending to elope), but Mary did what she does best and greeted the couple with warmth and sincerity, gave them an overview of what was about to happen, then led them to the spot we picked for them to ‘get married.’Even for an elopement you can walk down an aisle (or grassy pathway)! Again… yes, these are staged photos, but this couple, as well as Mary, were so sincere that I was about ready to sign a marriage license to make this elopement official!! Another thing Mary does that I LOVE is that she gives couples some space for their first kiss as husband and wife.  Even already-married couples can’t stop kissing once they’re pronounced husband and wife!! ;-) Also, I love how the sun is peeking over the Hills, embracing Jake + Tessa for this moment!Now, I’d like to brag on Jenny’s Floral for a bit. Her business in downtown Custer is full of fun home decor, including several items made by local artists, and there is always a happy helper behind the counter, oftentimes Jenny herself. Every time I photograph her bouquets, I fall more and more in love with her work. Every single wedding we’ve done together is a ‘favorite!!’ And this ring from Riddle’s Jewelry? SOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love that morganite has become so popular – the faint hint of pink is so subtle and sweet, I couldn’t help but stare!Jake + Tessa, our models, also own Ebony & White Design, a local woodworking business. They make the most impressive custom furniture, as well as personalized wooden signs, such as this! How perfect!!
Finally, Sarah’s masterpiece. While we walked around taking portraits, Sarah set up this lovely table just a few feet away from the elopement site (on more level ground – haha)! She grew up collecting antiques with her parents, and has recently turned that passion into a business, renting and styling anything vintage (sofas, chairs, glassware, everything you see here) for small weddings and events. Again – this ring!!! The rose gold wedding bands really highlighted the morganite. Who doesn’t love blush?! Another local find was this gigantic caramel roll from Calamity Jane’s Mercantile in Custer. I *might* have picked up a few extra for all the behind-the-scenes vendors who came out before sunrise for this amazing day.

So, what do you think? Does any part of this styled photoshoot make you want to elope? Or get out to watch the sun rise? Or eat an enormous caramel roll? If the answer was yes to any of those, I think we’ve succeeded. ;-)

 

A huge thank you to the following vendors for putting together this styled elopement:

The Vintage Lease – Sarah had the vision to put this together and style the table

Your Joyful Wedding – Mary, the master of ceremonies and life in general (yes, she’s that good!)

Jenny’s Floral – Jenny puts together the most amazing bouquets ever!

Hubbard Visuals – Nick and Kaylee put together a lovely video of the occasion

Riddle’s Jewelry – provided the gorgeous gems

Freckled Fox – Beth and Amanda (a mother and daughter team in Spearfish) provided Tessa’s lovely dress

Ebony & White Design – Jake & Tessa Wolter – the wonderful models and woodworkers

Calamity Jane Mercantile – the caramel rolls!!!

Emily Costopulous – elopement announcement

Studio LB – I had the honor of photographing all this beautiful-ness!