If you don’t mind a little cheesiness, read on! My reason is my family. Through them, I’ve learned deep appreciation and passion for living in the now. Even now, as I look at these images of us throughout the last few years, months, and days, so much has happened and so much has changed. It’s given me a deep understanding of how short life really is. Each and every day brings more and more change, and our lives evolve continually through time. That’s why it’s so important to me to capture who we are in the now. It’s why living in this moment and being present is a vital part of who I am and how I run my business. It’s what makes me so passionate about my job.
The reason I am where I am,
I do what I do, and I am who I am is because of them.
This is Brandon and James. Brandon is my newly-wedded husband, and James is my crazy, energetic seven-year-old. Both keep me fulfilled in life, beyond happy, and working hard. My family is the root to every single reason. Everything I do, I do for them. I’m unbelievably lucky to call these boys mine.
Through them, I’ve learned deep appreciation and passion for living in the now. Even now, as I look at these images of us throughout the last few years, months, and days, so much has happened and so much has changed. It’s given me a deep understanding of how short life really is. Each and every day brings more and more change, and our lives evolve continually through time. That’s why it’s so important to me to capture who we are in the now. It’s why living in this moment and being present is a vital part of who I am and how I run my business. It’s what makes me so passionate about my job.
Brandon stepped into the dad roll with such grace and patience. I’m constantly blown away by how amazing of a parent he is, and am so grateful to have his support in raising this adorable, little hellion of mine. If my son became anything close to the man Brandon is, I’ll be the proudest mama.
I may be a little biased, but Brandon’s and my love story is my absolute favorite story of all. Brandon and I met when we were 14 years old and have been best friends ever since. We’ve been through life together, grown up together, traveled the world together, and are still obsessed with each other after all this time.
I loved Brandon far longer than even I knew. It was a long time coming when we finally started dating, and the entire world knew how perfect we were for each other far before we did. Eventually, it became impossible to ignore the spark between us, and I had to tell my best friend I was in love with him! It was one of the scariest moments of my life, and one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Excuse the cheesiness, but I gotta brag about my guy. I’ve grown into the person I am because of him–someone I can be proud of. The personal growth I’ve experienced because of Brandon’s unconditional love, undying patience, sincere dedication, and strong loyalty is immeasurable. And that’s what makes a couple the perfect match, right? When they can grow individually and together into something strong and beautiful. I wouldn’t be even close to the person I am today with out his influence and guidance. I owe him everything I am.
He got down on one knee at one of my most favorite places on earth: Cannon Beach, Oregon. The answer was OF COURSE. A thousand times, yes. He’s one of the best things to ever happen to me.
We picked October 4, 2019 for our wedding date, but as a surprise to everyone including us, we actually married February 23, 2019. We went back to Cannon Beach six months later because our best friends had never been there and while we were on that trip, Brandon and I decided that we wanted to elope and get married in such a special place to us. We planned our wedding day in two days, buying our full attire at a local mall and calling a wonderful photographer friend in Washington. We told family a few days later. It was the best decision in the whole world, and we still got to have our amazing wedding celebration in October! It was extra special to have James there, since we couldn’t be with us for the elopement.
You can check out more from our wedding day by going to my blog post all about my wedding. The link is at the bottom of the page!
I also have a link to our elopement blog post so you can see more from that, too! It’s also at the bottom.
Both days, while so different, were some of the happiest days of my life. There’s a specific “look” photographer’s search for on a wedding day between the couple. It’s the look that communicates all the depth of love, trust, and gratitude for each other. Seeing that on my own face was one of the most empowering moments. And seeing it on his face was one of the most emotional.
We got to honeymoon in another one of our favorite places on earth: The Grand Tetons, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It’s an incredible special place in my family history, and Brandon has fully embraced the beauty and majesty it offers. We spent the week snuggled in a warm cabin in the mountains enjoying the stars and the first snow of the season.
Traveling the world with him has been the most incredible journey. Every trip is better with him there, every spectacular view is more amazing, and every success is sweeter with him by my side. I swear he makes me love harder, and live better. He even makes my photography better.
Brandon makes my little family complete. We’re so lucky to have him. And my son absolutely loves him. Though I may be bias, my family is definitely the cutest. We spend most of our time working hard, traveling far, and loving life. We’re growing and learning, just like James. That cute boy is so energetic and charismatic; such a little charmer. He keeps me on my toes 100% of the time, and I work hard to make his life the best it can possibly be. One day, I’ll be able to take him on more of our amazing, round-the-world journeys, and he’ll get to experience amazing things! But for now–he’s got school. I have a first-grader! How would I even live without this little, crazy kid? I can hardly keep up with how fast he’s growing!
I don’t know where I’d be without either of these boys. Definitely not anywhere close to where I am now, that’s for sure.
And where I am has been one of my favorite places to be so far. ❤️ Living each moment, enjoying who we are in the present is such a gift. It’s why I love photography and have such a passion for what I do. Life swiftly moves on, so welcome every moment with gratitude and treat it like it will never come again–because it won’t. And that’s why taking these photos, hanging them on our walls, sharing them with family is so important. It’s a celebration of life as we know it right now, and it will never be the same again.
