July Gratefulgrams

"The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances."
{Elisabeth Elliot}

Can I get an amen??

I often think, "Well, if God just changed this & this & this, then my attitude would be different or I'd have more joy..." But the truth is, I'm called to be content & have a joyful heart despite all that may be going on around me. Easier said than done but that's where His grace is. Sufficient for my life.

1. It's hard to believe our little Junebug is already 3 months old! / 2. Photographing sweet friends-turned-engaged-friends is the best! / 3. Zoo dates with Hubby / 4. Keeping a right perspective about the craziness that can be wedding days / 5. Getting back to Virginia for this lovely couple's engagement session / 6. Storytime snuggles

Dave + Leanne | Cobbler Mountain Cellars Engagement Session | Delaplane Photographer

The way he looks at her. The way she smiles back, passing the same unsaid emotion back.

Stop it.

Not really, it's just a silly expression for, "Please, whatever you do, keep doing that during your engagement session."

Photographing Dave & Leanne at one of their favorite local wineries, Cobbler Mountain Cellars, was alllll that & a bag of chips. From the moment we met they were swapping stories & telling jokes with me like we went way back to our childhood years. Add in the fact that Dave absolutely adores his glowing bride-to-be & a beautiful golden hour lighting streaming across the sprawling grapevines & yep, a photographer's dream ♥

Dave & Leanne, y'all were such a joy to photograph! I can't wait for your fall wedding at Cloverdale Barn!

Charlie + Laura | Kennedy Center Engagement Session Sneak Peek

Over a year ago, Charlie asked me to take some headshots for him so we set up a time to head down to Alexandria on a Saturday morning. His beautiful girlfriend & my good friend Laura joined us & we had an impromptu photo session of them together (I can't resist couples in love!!)

Fast forward to 2014, & they're getting MARRIED this fall!!! Charlie & Laura are an awesome couple, incredibly kind, warm & caring friends & selfless small group/ministry leaders in our church with killer style (such a classic, Tommy Hilfiger-esque look!). Beyond excited for their upcoming wedding!! More of their romantic Kennedy Center engagement session to come!

David + Jesica | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Engagement Sneak Peek

There's nothing quite like an early spring morning walk through winding pathways of flowers, blooms and trees with the one you love.

For this sweet engagement session, I photographed David & Jes in one of their favorite spots in Northern Virginia - where David proposed & where they'll say their vows this fall! Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is exquisite, a beautiful backdrop for this couple's tender hearts for one another & the Lord. More of their engagement photos to come!

Sabrina + David | Wilkes Street Tunnel Engagement

Love makes the world go round. That's what I wrote on the sign next to our wedding guest book globe.

When I think of this sweet couple's relationship, it's more love shared across the world. Sabrina & David first laid eyes on each other in ... Ethiopia! That's right! When Sabrina left Virginia to study sustainable farming overseas, she had no idea that God had also lined up a meeting of her future husband, too. Isn't God the coolest? His love stories are always so much better than anything we could ever dream up. 

I met Sabrina at our church last fall & immediately liked her personable personality (she makes you feel like you've been friends for years!) & admired her heart for the Lord. When we first met to discuss their upcoming spring wedding several months ago, David actually wasn't even in America at the time! Because of the length of process & steps involved with David moving to America after their engagement in Ethiopia, we weren't even sure when we could take pictures! Or when the for-sure wedding date would be!

If any of you brides have planned a wedding in another state or back home, you'll know how much communication & diligence goes into working out all the vendors, finalizing appointments & catering tastings without actually being there. Now imagine not even KNOWING when your GROOM would be in the same time zone as you!!

Throughout it all, Sabrina & David remained steadfast in their hope & faith in the Lord. Though they primarily communicated through Skype or over the phone during the whole process, they continued to walk by faith & not by sight. Our church community, Small Group ladies & family/friends everywhere prayed for many weeks that ALL the logistics of David's move would come together. And they did!!! Praise the Lord! Dean & I got to shoot with the now reunited couple on a snowy Saturday in Old Town down by the Wilkes Street Tunnel. We loved the beautiful light streaming on the couple who was so romantic & playful throughout. David, we're SO glad you're here! It's been awesome seeing you & Sabrina together & the way you make her smile. We can hardly wait for this March :)