One evening last summer, Ben and Ashley travelled out to my home for their relaxed engagement session. It changes every year, the approximate time the wild Black-Eyed Susans in my front yard are going to start showing off, and unbeknownst to them these two caught them on a perfect evening. Add in the perfect golden sun right before sunset and we had the perfect recipe for a gorgeous summer shoot.

Ben is pretty chill, but I don’t think he was super thrilled about an evening of pictures. However, as Ashley as my witness, after their session he got in their car and said, “you know, that was actually kinda fun.”

When Ashley told me that later, it took all the self-control I had not to break out in a happy dance. Other than capturing gorgeous, or monumental life moments, my goal as a photographer is for my clients to feel comfortable and have a good time. An engagement session is SO important to making this happen on a wedding day. When a couple has that pre-established “oh, hey I know you, I trust you and we’re cool” with me then we just roll on with the good times come the big day.

These wild black-eyed Susans grow in my front yard around our pond, it’s one of my favorite things about summer and they never fail to add an extra level of whimsy to the background of my work.

This light is what my dreams are made of.

Prepare yourself for a few of my favorites next. It’s a real life Nicolas Sparks novel coming right up.