Michael + Megan are certainly a couple who can roll with the punches. When it was below zero for their scheduled Christmas-time engagement session, they said “We’ll come visit you when the weather is nicer.” When I found out Roughlock Falls was still closed for the season, they said “That’s okay, you can pick a new spot for photos.” When I brought them to my new-found location and we had to tip-toe through mud and slush, they continued to hold hands and smile for my camera.

Thanks, you two, for traveling all the way across the state and trekking around in the forest with me! :-) I am so looking forward to your wedding in a few months!

These two are absolute troopers!! I’ll be the first to tell you I was concerned about the snow coming down sideways earlier in the day. Since Jeff and Lindsay were only in town for a few days, we just had to make this weather work!! Now, I’ll be the first to tell you I am so glad we braved the weather (the snow in the hills was absolutely magical) and had pockets full of hand warmers!!

Jeff + Lindsay – Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy week, braving the cold+snow, and for showing me your love. I can only imagine how much more radiant you will be in September!! :-)

I am thankful that Nick met Samantha, ‘wooed’ her, and asked her to move with him to South Dakota.

I am also thankful that Nick had a plan to propose on a rock (ahem, cliff) overlooking the part of the forest where he grew up – and even though Samantha knew he always had this plan, she was still surprised when he actually proposed!!

I am *most* thankful that Nick + Samantha found me and asked to take their engagement photos on his childhood playground. The rocks, the trees, the ghost town – I didn’t want to stop playing taking photos with these two!!

Back to the rock (ahem, cliff) comment from earlier… Samantha told me they got engaged on a rock in Nick’s parents’ back yard. I’m thinking of something like the granite boulders in the Black Hills that pop up out of nowhere and have sparkles and green fuzzy growth. I show up, ask about the famous rock, and they point *up over there* (in the right photo on the upper right side). Ummm, you mean that cliff way over there?! Awesome!!! Not quite what I had envisioned for photos… but we made it work!!

*This* is more like what I had in mind when I thought of ‘engagement photos on a rock’

Nick + Samantha – Thank you so SO much for inviting me out to where you got engaged. Thank you for being so beautifully in love and goofy at the same time – I absolutely love you guys for making snuggling and giggling look so dang good!! :-)

What I love most about engagement sessions is the love… the snuggles, the smiles, the short yet exciting part of a couple’s lives before they become husband and wife. Here are my favorites from 2013 – enjoy!

My favorite things to do when there’s snow on the ground? Sip hot chocolate, hum Christmas carols, and new to my list… take photos of John + Heidi!! :-)

I had an exceptionally fun time photographing these two because their love is so fun and goofy and real! I mean seriously, what fun are snuggles without inside jokes whispered in your ear? Or walking down Main Street, Rapid City, holding hands with your fiancé and not imitating all the presidential statues? What is love without laughter? And “what is life, without love?” (hugs to all my “Friends” fans out there)

I’m sure every girl dreams about the day she’ll get engaged – wondering how the love of her life is going to ask and what the ring will look like. But what happens when you get a ring *and* a puppy? I think that means you win at life. :-) Internet, meet Magnus. He likes to take long walks, play with sticks, and give kisses. Isn’t he dreamy?? :-)

John + Heidi – I am SO glad you braved the cold to do these photos!! I am also praying we won’t be needing any hand warmers in May. :-) See you in five months!!!!!