Fort Monroe Engagement Session | Hampton Wedding Photographer | Jon + Shannon

Fort Monroe Engagement Session | Hampton Wedding Photographer | Jon + Shannon

Let me just start out with this: sunrise light is always worth the early morning wake up call. Since Jon and Shannon were in town from Nashville for only a few days we were nervous about the weather for their session - and yet, everything turned out better than we could have imagined. We met in the early morning at The Chamberlin Hotel in Fort Monroe and chased the beauty of sunrise all morning long.

Jon and Shannon met in college at a city far away from Jon's hometown, and they spent time together and apart during their relationship. In the end Jon followed his heart and made a life in the beautiful city of Nashville so he could be close to his future bride. Shannon, already in love with the city she called home, fell even more in love as the man she had been waiting for her whole life moved close to be with her...

Christopher Newport University Engagement Session | Newport News Wedding Photographer | Brian + Liz

Christopher Newport University Engagement Session | Newport News Wedding Photographer | Brian + Liz

Sometimes when I meet couples I can instantly tell how they feel most comfortable - where they connect the most and how they naturally interact. For Brian and Liz this happened in the moments when Brian simply held his bride close and they cherished the quiet moments together. During these times it was so obvious that their 7-year relationship had weathered the storms of life and brought them to this beautiful place on the eve of their marriage this summer.

These two chose to have their engagement session at Christopher Newport University, their alma mater from many years ago. The cloudy skies made the colors vibrant and their smiles lit up their faces as we dodged stormy weather, gusty winds, and a torrential downpour. At the end the sky gave us a gift in the form of a rainbow over Brian and Liz as they gazed at each other in eager anticipation of what lay ahead...

The Biggest Change in Our Marriage | Monday Musings

The Biggest Change in Our Marriage | Monday Musings

I have been married for over 5 years and I can't believe I am able to type that. Anyone who has been in a long-term relationship knows that the only thing constant in life is change. Individual change, relationship change, and life change are all part of the normal cycle of sticking by someone through the years.

When I was in high school I was the girl who showed up late to school every single day so I could park in the staff parking lot (sorry, Mom!). I was the girl who graduated as valedictorian but got many frustrated comments from teachers that I wouldn't stop talking during class. I was the girl who, when we first got married, would roll out of bed at the last possible minute to wave goodbye to Nathan as he left to work - then sometimes I would jump back in bed before I, too, had to leave for the office.

That girl is but a distant memory...