Forest Engagement Session / Kentucky Photographer

We got to visit where they are getting married and you guys, IT’S PERFECT. October 9th cannot come soon enough! Their chemistry is unmatched. I’ve been dying to do a ring shot on a mushroom for as long as I can remember, and as we were walking through the woods, all of the mushrooms were calling my name. I told Cassie and she was so excited about it so we spent probably 20 minutes hunting the perfect mushroom. I thought I had found one prior, but it was covered in powder and my fingers were tingling so that probably wasn't the best idea.

Cassie and Austin were seriously so easy to photograph. They were worried about being awkward but I don’t think I felt awkwardness once and that is super cool for a 2 hour photo shoot. I think it’s so cool that they took us to this little nook on their families property, somewhere only those who live there know. It was magical, I can only imagine it’s beauty when the water flow is stronger.

We ended their perfect engagement session with their tie dye tees and a hammock. This is their natural habitat, one of the many things they love to do together.

Kentucky Wedding Photographers / Max Patch Mountain Campground Engagement Session

We had plans of going up to Max patch Mountain but as we were on the road, about three people stopped us and said, “DON’T DO IT!” Well, Tessa and Lars are adventurous, so we attempted to go up the mountain but when we came to the sheet of ice that caused us to immediately slip and slide, it was a no go. TOO SCARY! So we backed her up, and back down the mountain we went. We did see a jeep that had completely slid off the road, and was basically hanging in a tree… that was scary but thankfully the people were ok. So inevitably, we had to hang out around the campgrounds which was totally worth it when we found a little trail covered with snow. The farther down the mountain you went, the less snow there was on the ground. I loved hanging out with Tessa and Lars and I am SO EXCITED for their wedding day! Only 6 more months!!! Thank you for attempting to go to Max Patch with me guys! :)

Kentucky Wedding Photographers / Snowy Engagement Session

I actually came to know Emily when her and her best friend (also one of my past brides) Montana, got their BFF photos done by me back in 2015, maybe?? I am so happy they trusted me then and stuck with me after all of these years. I think I might even attach a few of those at the end of this blog so you guys can see! The next time I got to hangout with Emily, was during Montanas wedding! I also got to meet Andrew very briefly. I remember seeing them together on the dance floor and how in love they were.

I’m all about getting to know my couples so I was thrilled when I got to ride around with Emily and Andrew from location to location. I even got to peep Emily’s wedding dress!!!!! IT WAS STUNNING, JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU GUYS SEE IT! When I first started talking to Emily about her engagement session, maybe a few weeks ago, she said, “I really want snow” so I said, “let’s cross our fingers for it!.” This morning, I woke up and the ground was covered. I immediately messaged Emily to see if they were available and WOOHOO we made it work! I am so happy we did because it was GORGEOUS. The trees were frosted with snow, the ground was covered. IT WAS A SNOWGLOBE DREAM and I’m so happy I got to spend it with these two.

and…. a few from 2015!!!! I’m thinking I need to bring back the fake sun flares LOL

Engagement Session at Shaker Village / Kentucky Wedding Photographers

Kripa + Jordan met during Residency at UK. They enjoy getting drinks and hanging out with friends when they aren’t working so it only made sense that we went to the first place they hung out, Charlie Browns Restaurant on Euclid Avenue in Lexington. We then went to the one place that represents Kentucky so well - Shaker Village! They are getting married in Chicago so Kripa wanted something a little less urban and more about where they met and come from together. To say we had an amazing session would be an understatement. I love that we ended at sunset in a field. That light was so romantic and dreamy. Kripa and Jordan, thanks for hanging out with me!

Kentucky Wedding Photographers / Cincinnati Engagement Session

It’s busy busy busy season around here so blogging time is few and far in between. I’m working on a few blogs this morning, however because it’s important to me that you guys get to see what I’ve been up to. So first on the agenda, is Kayla and Caesar.

Kayla and Caesar met up with me in Cincinnati for their engagement session. The first spot we had picked, was actually over crowded with wedding days. Congratulations to those couples, but they kind of rained on our parade. We made lemonade out of lemons though, and found another cool spot overlooking Cincinnati. Caesar had actually fractured his foot a few days before, but that didn’t stop us! Caesar crutched around like a champ and was able to make it work without the crutches for the photos. I absolutely adore these two. I had so much fun just talking and joking with them in between photos.

Both in the dental field and currently living in Columbus, Kayla and Caesar enjoy hanging out with their friends and chilling at home, soaking up time with each other on their time off. My kind of people. They are getting married at The Magnolia (our favorite venue!) next August and we are SO STINKING EXCITED.

I hope you enjoy this preview of their engagement session.

Sentimental Farm Engagement Session / Kentucky Wedding Photographers

Taylor and I spent the evening with the most beautiful couple and Family. We started off the session at the breath taking overlook at Dale Hollow Lake State Park. On top of this overlook is where Spencer popped the question in July of 2018. On our hike up to see the lake we stopped at some gorgeous spots where the sunlight leaked in so perfectly. Brayden their son loved digging in the dirt and racing us the whole way up. After the over look we headed to another very special location, their farm where they hope to one day build their forever dream home. We spent time with their very friendly cows who loved photo bombing. We ended the evening with a lucious sunset with this perfect family.

We LOVE that they picked these locations because they were meaningful to their love story. We want you to be able to look back on these moments when you are 80 and remember exactly how you felt and how special not only the people in the photos are to you but the location as well.

-Sami Jo

Romantic Engagement Session at Red River Gorge / Kentucky Wedding Photographer

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, what a dream Lindsay + Drew are!!!!! They let me style this shoot completely and even were ok with visiting the gorge. Little did I know, this was their first time there together. We actually did their engagement session back in May, with high hopes that it would be so sunny and the sunset would wow us. HOWEVER, even with the clear skies, it came a MONSOON at the end of their session. No gorgeous sunsets, just dark rolling clouds. It worked out though, they were so romantic all over each other in the rain. But I knew that Lindsay really wanted the sun so I suggested we plan something for later in the summer. That’s what this magic was all about, and they KILLED IT. SUNSET AND ALL. Lindsay even trusted me to pick the dress she would wear, so I rented it off of Rent The Runway. Which is a great idea by the way, if you want something super formal but nothing in your closet rises to the occasion.

This was also the first time I got to hear their first date story. How their 13-14 year old selves hopped out of their parents cars and walked into the arcade to hang out with each other. How Drew thought Lindsay’s hair stunk because she had straightened it just before. They are so cute together, and totally meant to be, even after all of those years growing up together. Thanks so MUCH for hanging out with me again guys, I hope this sunny day was everything you dreamed of.

Engagement Session at Holly Bay London Kentucky / Kentucky Wedding Photographers / Amanda + Matthew

Amanda is also a local photographer so you can imagine how nerve wracking it was when Matthew messaged me and wanted to book a session for the two of them! They let me picked the location so of course I was going to pick my favorite Summer spot, Holly Bay. There are some rock cliff things and a gorgeous sandy beach! It’s perfect for those romantic, playful sessions. About half way through our session, I went to switch lenses and Matthew followed me to let me know he would actually be PROPOSING!!!! The pressure was on but I was determined to make this the most perfect moment for them. I pretended to take some solo photos of Matt to have Amanda sneak up on him. Immediately after that, I did the same thing with Amanda except when she spun around, Matthew was down on one knee. A perfect proposal for a photographer.

You can’t deny the chemistry between the two of these love birds. They make each other laugh and Matthew would do anything to make sure Amanda was happy. They were totally up for anything, and didn’t bat an eye when I asked them to GET IN THE WATER IN THEIR CLOTHES. HOW STINKING ROMANTIC!

We were hoping the rain stayed away and as it did, we still had the moody storm clouds luring above the water. It was gorgeous and really gave the session a very passionate feel. I am so happy for the two of them. SHE SAID YES!

Congratulations you two!

Kentucky Wedding Photographer Engagement Session at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park / Lindsay + Drew

I’m so stinking happy to have met Lindsay and Drew. Lindsay is ADORABLE with the cutest grin I’ve ever seen and Drew loves Taylor Swift just as much as I…. they are a win-win couple :) They also have an insanely good taste in style. For their engagement session, we had hoped for a sunny day with a gorgeous sunset… Lindsay said that the first time we spoke in the winter! So, we picked a flexible date, waited for the sun and decided to go for it! I drove down to Louisville and as I arrived, the sun immediately hid behind the clouds and turned into a deep overcast. I pulled into the Sawyer Hayes parking lot, disappointed in the weather but ready to rock whatever came our way! We walked the trail a little, until I realized I LEFT MY SD CARD HOLDER IN THE CAR! we went back to get it and all was well. I appreciate them being patient with me :) Although it was overcast, the trees of Tom Sawyer State Park were a deep luscious green. We soon arrived at the spot where Drew proposed!!! (see below the abandoned stone tunnel/bridge). With help from Lindsay’s sister was how he picked the spot! The next location we went to was a HUGE FLOWER FIELD!!!!! The storm clouds had REALLY rolled in at that point, so I knew we had about 5 minutes before it was raining. The rain came, and we ended their session, dancing, running and kissing in the pouring rain! Lindsay was jumping up and down so stinking adorably ( I know, I’ve said that 100 times now but she’s so cute). They were so fun and up for anything. Lindsay and Drew will be getting married next May at the Yew Dell Botanical Gardens. STOKED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

I already love Lindsay’s family because she told me about how her Dad won’t let her lift a finger when it comes to the tedious things of planning! He wants to take care of it all for her. How stinking sweet! Doug, you are the man!

I cannot wait to photograph these two a little later this year again and then again next May on THEIR WEDDING DAY!