Category Archives: engagement

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Alexi and Jason ~ High Falls Engagements

Sometimes when I meet with brides about shooting their weddings and it feels very business like, we process what we can do for one another, analize the match, sleep on it and see what happens and other times I leave thinking to myself, “Whether or not she hires me, I would love to be her friend.” That’s the vibe I had after meeting with Alexi and talking about life, travels, love and the future. So obviously I was extra happy when she informed me that I had won out the competion and we could begin planning for their engagement photos.
They are both fans of the outdoors, they love animals, and are the opposite of high maintenance so we choose High Falls Park in the heat of the afternoon and laughed and had a blast. Tru the dog kept us all entertained. We sweat a LOT too.


Marcela + Luke’s Engagements ~Bogota, Colombia~

This is a real life fairytale story. By that I mean that it could only be orchestrated by something so much bigger than the two of them. Afterall, Luke is from California and Marcela lives in Columbia. What are the chances of these two crossing paths? Well, if you leave it up to them, probably very small but if you add God, destiny and purpose into the equation, it’s like a freight train with no brakes. That was the case with Marcela and Luke who met in 2007 in a gigantic youth conference. Luke was a big pile of jelly when he saw her and it didn’t take long for the Holy Spirit to confirm that she was, indeed, his future wife.
Can you imagine? I mean this is the most awesome, confirming voice you can ever hope to hear whispering in your ear that the one who your very eyes behold is meant to be your spouse. I don’t need to tell you that Luke was wrecked. Capitol W.
And so it began. 4 years later, during the week of the same conference, their wedding plans unfolded. Accompanied by friends and family and yours truly, we shot their engagement session in downtown Bogota.

Esta es una historia de vida de cuento de hadas real. Con esto quiero decir que sólo podía ser orquestada por algo mucho más grande que los dos de ellos. Después de todo, Lucas es de California y Marcela vive en Colombia. ¿Cuáles son las posibilidades de estos dos caminos que se cruzan? Bueno, si lo dejo a ellos, probablemente muy pequeña, pero si se añade a Dios, el destino y el propósito en la ecuación, es como un tren de carga sin frenos. Ese fue el caso de Marcela y Lucas que se reunieron en 2007 en una conferencia de jóvenes gigantesca. Lucas era un montón de gelatina cuando la vio y no pasó mucho tiempo para que el Espíritu Santo para confirmar que era, de hecho, su futura esposa.
¿Te imaginas? Quiero decir esto es lo más impresionante, la voz de confirmación de su parte nunca se puede esperar para oír susurrar en su oído que el que he aquí su ojos está destinado a ser su esposo. No necesito decirles que Lucas fue destruido. Capitolio W.
Y así empezó todo. 4 años más tarde, durante la semana de la conferencia misma, sus planes de boda se desarrolló. Acompañado por amigos y familiares y un servidor, que disparó su sesión de compromiso en el centro de Bogotá.

The rehearsal dinner was intimate and emotional. There was a very deep exchange about to happen, the Barrios family was about to watch their youngest daughter marry and move to another country, a win-lose situation for sure. The Page family was about to see their oldest son marry and bring his wife home to a new country to integrate into their family and culture. It was more than a wedding, it was a farewell, an invitation, and an incredible release and responsibility between two families. A bond that runs deep between fathers as one hands over his baby girl to the son of the other. There were tears, oh, the tears and laughs filled with hearts overflowing with every emotion you can imagine.
I should mention here that the groom’s family, the Page’s, are my spiritual family from California. Words cannot express the love and affection that I have for them and to be a part of this wedding was not only an honor but a labor of love from the depths of my heart.

La cena de ensayo fue íntimo y emocional. Hubo un cambio muy profundo a punto de suceder, la familia Barrios estaba a punto de ver a su hija menor casan y se mudan a otro país, una situación de ganar-perder con seguridad. La familia de la página estaba a punto de ver a su hijo casarse y traer a su esposa a casa a un nuevo país a integrarse a su familia y la cultura. Era más que una boda, fue una despedida, una invitación, y una versión increíble y la responsabilidad entre dos familias. Un vínculo que es muy profundo entre los padres como uno las manos sobre la niña con el hijo de la otra. Hubo lágrimas, oh, las lágrimas y risas llenas de corazones llenos de todas las emociones que pueda imaginar.
Debo mencionar aquí que la familia del novio, la página, son mi familia espiritual de California. Las palabras no pueden expresar el amor y el afecto que tengo para ellos y ser parte de esta boda no era sólo un honor sino un trabajo de amor desde lo más profundo de mi corazón


The groom’s sister, Gabrielle, made a beautiful photo album of the history of her family, beginning with Luke and Marcela and drifting backwards to encapsulate their own family and their fathers/mothers, grandfathers/grandmothers and so on. It was beautiful and such a wonderful gift for the Bride and Groom.

La hermana del novio, Gabriel, hizo un álbum de fotos hermosas de la historia de su familia, empezando por Lucas y Marcela y la deriva hacia atrás para encapsular su propia familia y sus padres / madres abuelas, abuelos / y así sucesivamente. Era hermoso y tan maravilloso regalo para la novia y el novio


Marcela’s parents are international pastors over many churches in Europe. Her father has been a Congressman for years in Columbia and her mother has a grace and responsibility about her that quietly evokes respect. I say this to give you a feel for the mood of the evening when speeches and blessings were given by every friend and family member present and M.r Barrios could not contain the depth of emotion as the reality of his daughter’s departure from his every day life was more than he could bare. This went on for what must have seemed like eternity and my own heart burst as I witnessed this father’s love for his daughter and the upcoming chapter in her life.

Los padres de Marcela son pastores internacional en muchas iglesias en Europa. Su padre ha sido un miembro del Congreso desde hace años en Colombia y su madre tiene una gracia y la responsabilidad sobre ella que evoca en silencio al respecto. Digo esto para darle una idea del estado de ánimo de la noche, cuando los discursos y las bendiciones estuvieron a cargo de cada amigo y miembro de la familia presente y Barrios Señor no pudo contener la profundidad de la emoción como la realidad de partida de su hija de su vida cotidiana se más de lo que podía desnudo. Esto sucedió por lo que debe haber parecido una eternidad y mi corazón estalló como fui testigo de este amor de padre para su hija y el próximo capítulo en su vida.


Thank God for joy is all I can think of when I look at this photo. I was so grateful for those who stood up and were able to lift the intesity of the moment ot bursts of laughter. It was like a burst of cool air in a humid desert. Relief from the heaviness of it all and pure revival in the heart.
I watched the waitresses stand in the back of the room and cry as they listened to each father bless the Bride and Groom. I saw the waiter stand silent as he listened to Luke profess his utmost adoration for Marcela and thank his parents for their incredible example of love and commitment. I was super grateful for interpreteurs relaying messages throughout the evening because it was obvious that regardless of countries, cultures, languages or nationalities, Love has no defining boundaries. What an incredible moment to participate in. Thank you, Luke and Marcela. My eyes are watering as I relive the evening and I feel so fortunate to know you both.
God bless you and your incredible families.

Gracias a Dios por la alegría es todo lo que puedo pensar cuando veo esta foto. Yo estaba tan agradecida por los que se puso de pie y fueron capaces de levantar la intensidad de los estallidos de los momentos de OT de la risa. Fue como una ráfaga de aire fresco en un desierto húmedo. El alivio de la pesadez de todo y la reactivación pura en el corazón.
Vi las camareras de pie en el fondo de la sala y llorar al escuchar a cada padre bendiga a los novios. Vi el camarero de pie en silencio mientras escuchaba a profesar su adoración Lucas máxima de Marcela y agradecer a sus padres por su increíble ejemplo de amor y compromiso. Yo estaba agradecido super interpreteurs transmisión de los mensajes en toda la noche porque era evidente que, con independencia de los países, culturas, lenguas y nacionalidades, el amor no tiene fronteras definir. Lo que un momento increíble para participar pulg Gracias, Lucas y Marcela. Mis ojos son de riego como revivir la noche y me siento tan afortunada de conocer a los dos.
Dios los bendiga a ustedes ya sus familias increíble.

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Tamara + Ron {engagements}

I love being around engaged couples. I love observing how they interact with one another and the non-verbal communication that goes on between them.
Ron gets attention from total strangers because he’s so buff. They think he’s a football star.
Tamara is just a star, period. She shines.

Rhoneda + Anthony {engagements}

They have incredible energy together and it keeps things exciting being around them. Anthony is constantly joking around and making her laugh which in turn makes me laugh. Joy is one of those things that feels intoxicating so it was no problem to drive to Athens, where they met, to shoot for a few hours.
Anthony lives in Los Angeles where he works in the film and movie industry and Rhoneda is here planning their fabulous wedding for November. She is soft spoken, sophisticated and full of class. She keeps him organized and as he puts it, looking stylish. You’re doing a great job, Rhoneda.


I had to put this photo in because every time we passed a recycle can he wanted his picture taken. Rhoneda got him started a while back and they both say that he is out of control now. I remember when I met with them in the spring, he took my water bottle with him so he could recycle it instead of thoring it in the trash. I know it made me think about recycling a lot more. I was happy to report to then of my progress and gladly took his picture with the bins.

I’m really excited about their wedding in Cordele this Novemeber. It’s going to be full of pure awesomeness.

Zandra + Michael {e-session}

In Zandra’s words, “We met in the parking lot at church one gorgeous spring day.  It was not by chance.  I think Michael had it all planned out. I say (jokingly) that he had been stalking me.  Of course, his account of how we met is different; he says I was scoping him out for weeks, but my story is the “true” version.  Michael and I have known each other for almost 3 years.  It did not take us long to realize we wanted to spend our lives together.  We got engaged earlier this year, and in just a few months planned a wedding and here we are! 

 It’s a Nigerian wedding and I’m really excited about it. Don’t know what that looks like? Me either….Stay tuned…..