Amanda + Jeff = ENGAGED!!!!

I just LOVE Amanda.

Apparently so does Jeff.

I was thrilled when a few days after signing up for a family session,

Amanda contacted me asking for a dual session,

FOR HER ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS.

Everyone knew it would eventually happen.

Jeff and Amanda have been together for years, and years, and years.

But timing is everything.

And although they already have 2 kids,

now is the PERFECT time for them to tie the knot.

They will have the cutest ring bearers ever!

I had a blast doing their engagement photos.

I have been taking their photos for two years now,

but this time was different.

Aside from the rock on Amanda's left hand,

there was just something new...

It truly seemed like a new level of love and appreciation for one another,

and I couldn't be happier for the two of them!

Congratulations Amanda and Jeff!

This picture really makes me miss trees.

Rule of Photography #174- Do not shoot on private property... or just don't get caught.

...and one more.

Just because the poor girl has been waiting soooo long : )

Seriously, being the last post of my marathon sessions has to be TORTURE!

Lindsay and David: ENGAGED

I am so excited about shooting Lindsay and Davis's wedding this September!

No, It's not just because they are incredibly adorable and photogenic (although that does help),

it's because I have watched this girl grow from a sweet little toddler to a gorgeous woman.

Lindsay has always been adorable,

we new she was going to be trouble once she got into high school.

And she was.

Her dad didn't need to worry too much though,

he had a whole team of us approving or disapproving of every guy she brought through the door.

I kinda freaked out a little bit when I found out Lindsay had gotten engaged to David-

but only because I had never met him.

Within 5 minutes, of meeting him, I approved 110% and I couldn't possibly be happier he is the one who placed a ring on her finger.

I am in love with her shoes!!

Aren't these two adorable?

I love, love, love sweet couples!

I love how much fun they have together!

One of the many reasons I love rain!

Congratulations to you both, I couldn't be more proud.

I can't wait until September!

You Can Blame Them.

These two, Ashley and Dan, are the reason I don't book a lot of weddings.

Well, they may not be the whole reason but they are definitely a part of it.

See if I book a lot of weddings, odds are one of them or more will fall on the date a friend of ours gets married.

Thus, I will miss the friend's wedding to work my tush off at another.

I just can't do it.

I love my friends and I LOVE seeing them get married.

So for the next few years, as our friends slowly marry off,

I will strictly limit the amount of weddings I book in a year to avoid the conflict.

It is to my clients' benefit-

Who would want to have a photographer shoot their wedding if their heart is somewhere else?

So you can blame them,

my friends are just too much fun.

Dan and Ashley have been dating since before my husband and I met. We have been wondering when Dan would FINALLY give this girl a ring. Out of 365 days in a year he managed to propose on the EXACT same day that Ashley's older sister, Alicia, got engaged.

The girls' dad must be freaking out.

Personally, I am looking forward to two Stracke weddings next year!

Dan loves his car. When I told him I wanted to stand on it- I think he wanted to smack me, but he let me do it anyway...after he put a towel down. : ) Thanks Dan!

Ashley + Dave

Dave once said to me, "So what? Do we need to schedule a

photo session with you in order to see you?"

As it turned out, the answer unfortunately seemed to be "yes".

Never again will I schedule things the way I did on my last trip to St Louis.

I didn't sit down for more than an hour at a time.

I saw some of my friends, but only for 20 minutes to an hour or so.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed all of the photo sessions

-especially since most of my clients are friends, BUT

next time around the scheduling will be quite different!

I'm thinking a day or two of marathon sessions!

Unfortunately, I only saw Ashley and Dave during their photos,

which really stinks considering Ash and I have been friends for years.

So I am sooo glad they scheduled a photo session so I could actually see them!

Ash brought her dog, Jake, along.

This is the only child I think Ashley would ever enjoy having!

Ash may not be a kid person, but she is in love with her baby dog!

I have seen ash through a lot of boyfriends.

I liked some, and others- I wanted to wring their necks.

I can honestly say none of the guys treated her as well as Dave does.

And let me tell you, she can be a real P.I.T.A. (as can I, hence our friendship)

Dave proposed to Ashley almost two years ago when we were all in Jamaica for my wedding. I could not be more excited to share such monumental memories with my friends.

Ash, you are gorgeous. Don't let anyone ever tell you anything different. This pic wasn't even posed. It was just hotter than you know what outside and Ash was trying to cool off.

Hope you both love them!!

MISS YOU ALREADY!

Merry Christmas to the Frostys!

My best friend is undoubtably one of the best people God placed on the planet. Every year I thank God for her and our friendship. She was the best Maid of Honor for me at my wedding this past summer and I don't know that I will ever be able to repay her for every wonderful thing she has done for me. To show her how much I love her, I decided to be sneaky and take some pictures of what true love really is. What better models to use than her parents, two people who I also love very much.

It was FREEZING when we finally got the chance to meet up for pictures. We were so cold we only took a few shots, but I think they were enough to make their daughter have a nice surprise Christmas Morning.

Happy Holidays Everyone. Enjoy the rest of the season.

I love you Ashley, thank you for being my best friend.

-Amy Meyerott