Andrew and I are ENGAGED!

   Last Saturday evening, my incredible boyfriend Andrew got down on one knee and popped the question in the most amazing way possible!  It has a pretty complex/awesome backstory, but basically - 

We went to the restaurant where we had our first date (Dave's) and talked about dreams we have for our future together...

We wrote our dreams on an epic chalk wall that our church (RISE) created...

 ...and then he proposed to me to make all those dreams come true!  I felt so blessed as I was able to immediately cross off the first dream we listed: "Get engaged." As if that wasn't enough, we went back to my house and I was WAY surprised to find a huge party waiting for me!  Over 30 of my closest friends and family were waiting for us to arrive, and we were able to celebrate Andrew & my engagement all together.  Andrew put a ton of thought and effort into all of it, and I feel so loved.  All-in-all, I had no idea what was in store for me that evening, and it was PERFECT.

To see more of my personal photos leading up to the event as well as read more of the proposal story, check out my Facebook album "I'm happy knowing that you are MINE!" 

Way more important than my photos, however, are the photos that my dear friend Anna Grace Abell (of Anna Grace Photography & Design) took of the PROPOSAL!  She was one of my small group leaders (aka, my Mama Bear) in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and it was SO special to have her and Andrew surprise me by documenting the proposal.  PLEASE make yourself smile by visiting her photography blog and checking out the proposal pictures! 

The fun doesn't stop there, though... Anna Grace decided to get even awesomer (somehow) and offered to have an engagement photoshoot the very next day!  Keep up with her photography blog, because our engagement photos will be up during this next upcoming week! 

Now, go tell someone you love them and give them a hug. :)

God bless,

Kelly

Hillary & Chris: Couple Shoot!

Hello all! 

   If you'll think back to April with me, you may remember that I took college graduation photos for a high school friend of mine, Geraldine Fiesta.  We had fun taking photos on the JMU campus and in the arboretum - click here to check out that post!  Geraldine is in a sorority, and when one of her sisters asked for photographer recommendations, she mentioned ME!  And thus, I met the wonderful Hillary.  Hillary contacted me late May saying that she wanted to surprise her boyfriend Chris with a photoshoot!  He would be visiting mid-June to early-July... Big props to Hillary for early thinking & planning on that one!  June 26th finally rolled around, and I headed out to the arboretum once again.  I was SO excited that the weather was in the mid-60s and low 70s instead of the scorching hot weather we've had recently!  During the photoshoot, I loved meeting & getting to know Hillary and Chris.  They have a long-distance relationship most of the time because Chris is in the Coast Guard, but their love and dedication shone through as we took pictures - some posed, most candid.  In her first message to me, Hillary said they are "terrible about actually taking pictures," but I don't know... they were total naturals in front of the camera!  

   This was also the first photoshoot I've done in which I only used my 50mm f/1.8 lens.  At times the lack of zoom options makes it difficult, but not once was I tempted to get my standard kit lens out!  I had it with me the whole time, but I am loving getting to know my 50mm better and getting more comfortable with using it consistently. 

  Enjoy the pictures from the beautiful morning! 

Here they come! I wasn't sure if Chris knew about the surprise at this point... so I stayed hidden for a bit :) 

It was around this time, walking through the tree-bordered bath, that I heard a little bit about their weekend trip to New York City! The travels were crazy, and the dress Hillary is wearing is a result of lost luggage... Not a bad result, though, right? 

I LOVE how the orange of the beautiful dress popped from the green scenery!

One of my personal favorites! --

   Some of my favorite photos are RIGHT there at the end, which goes to show that stamina from people on both sides of the camera is so important!  There may come a time when we run out of poses, but times when photo quality gets worse are few and far between.  

   Thanks again to Fiesta for recommending me to be Hillary's photographer, thank you Hillary for this awesome opportunity, and thank you Hillary & Chris for being so gosh darn cute together! 

God bless,

Kelly :)