I love a good international love story! He is from Malawi. She is from Kenya. They met while taking classes at ASU. They laugh at how young they were when they look back at pictures from when they first met. They feel like they have grown up together through such a special season of life.

Ernest is in love with this beautiful, God-fearing lover of life who cares deeply for everyone around her. Nancy loves his amazing ability to listen and genuine care for her and others. They love doing life together and have a strong foundation of friendship and faith. They are sweet and beautiful through and through. He surprised her on her birthday with a very special, private proposal. And of course she said yes.

Nancy and Ernest, you made our cold, rainy day an incredible Central-Park-in-Phoenix experience for the ages! You were full of contagious joy from beginning to end. Ernest you were a super hero as you shared your warm jacket with your beloved fiancé and then did push-ups to stay warm. You are both brilliant, beautiful, stunning, kind and genuine in every single way. You two are heroes through and through and I am so blessed to have been able to capture this wonderful window of time in your relationship as an engaged couple. May these photos be a blessing to you for generations to come!

Joy and love radiate from this couple! And their love story is straight from a storybook. They met each other in fourth grade and grew up together. Everything got real when he invited her to high school prom. Then came first dates, Yogurtini, movies, endless talks, laughter, adventure and college. After all these years, they know each other really well and love so many things about the other person. He loves how caring she is, her joyous smile, her laugh and everything about her personality. She loves everything about him, especially how he cares so deeply about people and is always investing in her intentionally.

 

Things hit a special climax a few months ago. She thought she was headed on a day-trip adventure into the woods near Flagstaff for his birthday. Little did she know, he had already picked out a tree in an aspen grove and recruited their siblings to hide in waiting. He walked her to the exact spot, leaned over and grabbed a ring from his backpack. Her eyes lit up. This beautiful relationship blossomed all the way from a fourth grade friendship into the wonderful gift of marriage!

 

Katelyn and Noah, I had so much fun capturing these special photographs with you both on our epic road trip adventure. May these memories always remind you just how special your relationship is. Enjoy this special season! I can’t wait to capture your special day very soon!

 

 

If you ever met Chad and Ally, then you know that they are going to both make fabulous parents. This was a very special session for me, getting to work with longtime friends. Chad has the biggest heart in the entire world and you know that his little boy is going to be so blessed by his father‘s full attention, wisdom, and goofy sense of fun. Ally is smart beyond all measure and she cares deeply. No one can stop her when she puts her mind to something and she is always looking for the good in people. This couple is a power couple in all the best ways. And now they get to welcome a little baby boy into the world very soon.

This was also fun because it was my first maternity session. I am in love with these photos–definitely some of my favorite desert photos ever. The session was still full of all the typical joy and laughter I love in an engagement session. But it was also full of really sweet, intimate moments as a loving mom and dad dreamed about their future baby.

Ally and Chad, thank you for letting me capture this special moment in the growing Zimmer family history. You are both amazing and I know the very best adventures lie directly ahead for your wonderful family. Much love to you both!

 

You could see it in their eyes – Caitlyn and Daniel were ecstatic. Whenever their eyes locked on each other, their faces glowed and they could not stop beaming. This phenomenon lasted from their first look all the way to the very end of the day with their private sunset husband and wife portrait session.

Faith and family were clearly the foundation of this special event. At one point I had the incredible honor of hearing glorious singing – from the guys getting ready room of all places! Daniel and his groomsmen were a well-tuned choir, singing powerful hymns before the wedding celebration. Watching the bridesmaids and the bride’s mother, Karen, flood Caitlyn and her future with blessings through prayer before the first look was sweet and inspiring.

Caitlyn’s family and friends from her local church beamed with joy all day long. How perfect it was to have the ceremony on the grounds of a place that has been such a significant part of her life. And of course it was also wonderful to have all Daniel’s family and friends from Michigan come! (If you haven’t read Caitlyn and Daniel’s beautiful long-distance love story yet, you can find that here.) I’m pretty sure this awesome family brought the rain last week from Michigan. Supremely grateful for that! The entire day was a joy-filled celebration with Caitlyn and Daniel.

And we can’t forget the delightful donut display board! Family helped construct this masterpiece the week of the wedding and it was glorious. It was the most perfect work of art to help display their splendid cake. It was also the perfect representation of the absolute sweetness of this couple!

Caitlyn and Daniel, your day was beyond wonderful and I was so blessed to be a part of it. Thank you for letting me capture these precious memories. Much love to you both!!

 

 

Bouquets/Boutonnieres Tammy Plummer | Floral Design Judy Heusman with help from aunts and mother of the bride | Musicians Benjamin Freeman, Jon Ross, Tawnya Raber and Janna Srutowski | Master of Ceremonies Mike O’Brien | Venue Northwest Community Church | Officiant Roy Agustin

I love romantic desert sessions! And I love long-distance love stories! Needless to say, this session was a delight! Daniel was in Florida when he heard about this girl in Arizona that caught his interest. He was intrigued because she had all the qualities he was looking for—she was tall, beautiful and loved Jesus! They both had a strong foundation of shared values, strong families and strong community. It started with a simple email, which blossomed into a long-distance romance and resulted in a growing love. Their precious first notes have all been printed and saved – over 50 pages of treasured emails.

 

He flew out to Arizona earlier this year just as the pandemic started to spread. This glorious couple continued to build their intentional relationship and fall steadily in love with each other. They both knew that this was a divine romance and that it was growing quickly towards marriage.

 

He took her on a hike to the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff. She wanted to believe that this is when he would propose but was afraid to get her hopes up. He totally threw her off when he took a nap on the way up. (She figured there would be no way he was calm enough to take a nap if he were planning to propose.) He had, in fact, cleverly hidden the ring in his pocket. They enjoyed a beautiful hike and found just the right view.

 

This is the moment his heart started to tremble inside. He knelt down on one knee. Before he could even finish offering his forever love, she had already accepted his proposal. Now this couple is soon to be wed with the greatest of joy and anticipation.

 

Caitlyn & Daniel, I am so excited for you both! Being engaged is such a special once-in-a-lifetime season. I hope these photographs always remind you of your deep love for and commitment to each other! Congratulations you two!!

 

What a special and beautiful day Kylee and Edward’s wedding was!! The weather was simply glorious. The venue Forest Highlands Golf Course was like an enchanted magical forest. Close friends and family surrounded this beautiful couple. The whole thing was like a dream.

The entire day was beautiful. This gorgeous bride and handsome groom had written the most genuine and caring vows for each other. The stunning dress came complete with a fabulous, long train and cathedral-length veil. Kylee‘s mom helped arrange hundreds of perfect flowers in bouquets and décor around all corners of the ceremony site and the banquet room. Then there was the simply glorious vegan cake! Literally, every detail was intricate, elegant and beautifully suited for this special day. The bride and groom, the details the friends and family – literally everything was just absolutely beautiful!

Kylee and Edward, it was such a special experience to capture your wonderful day. You are an amazing couple with an incredibly bright future ahead. May these memories always remind you of the special day and the powerful love you both share. With lots of love, congratulations to you both!!

 

 

Bride’s Dress Elite Dress Bridal| Bakery Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery | Floral Design – Kylee’s Amazing Mom Carrie | Groom’s Suit Nordstrom | Hair & Makeup Jessica Izaguirre | Rings Alvin Goldfarb Jeweler | Venue Forest Highlands Golf Course

 

Magic! Yes, magic! Real life magic is a wonderful and beautiful thing. There’s something transcendent when a husband and a wife choose each other forever in the presence of their closest friends and family. I believe magic moments are made up of simple, often seemingly small moments that weave together to create an epic and auspicious memory. This is why I call my photographic endeavor The Moment Photography. Our lovely setting was Hope Barn and Gardens. Kaitlyn & Dennis were the lovely couple. And this special day was filled with all such manner of special, beautiful, magical moments.

You could see it in the light that greeted both the bride and groom‘s eyes as they met each other during their first look. You could feel it in the quiet moments when they prayed together early in the day. You could see it in the joyful tears and tight embrace of loving family members. You could see it in the father’s ginormous smile during family photos moments before he was to give his daughter away. You could see it in the absolutely perfectly exquisite and gloriously complementary details throughout the entire wedding day; many of these gorgeous details were intentionally handcrafted by the beautiful bride. It was an absolute joy to capture this stunning couple from beginning to end. We even escaped for a few minutes for a romantic husband and wife sunset portrait session in the desert. Yes, there was magic in the air.

Kaitlyn and Dennis, you are one stunning couple. You were so fun, thoughtful and kind throughout your entire wedding day. You complement each other beautifully, and it was a wonderful experience to capture the magic moments of your special day. May these photographs bless you and your family for generations to come.

 

 

Bride’s Dress Pronovias| Bride’s Ring Shane Co| Bride’s Shoes Keds x Kate Spade | Bridesmaids’ Dresses David’s Bridal | Catering Butcher Block Catering | Floral Design- Kaitlyn (Using Sola Wood Flowers) | Groom’s Suit Nick’s Menswear | Groom’s Shoes Thursday Boots | Groomsmen Suits Nick’s Menswear | Hair Stephanie Hoang (Last Wave Salon) | Makeup Cristal Daniela | Music Just Weddings DJ Service | Venue Hope Barn and Gardens | Officiant Paul Sorensen

 

This couple is sweet to the core. We had such a blast together on our escape-the-heat Engagement Portrait Session. We drove, we shared favorite movies and laughed throughout the day. My true confession is that our car ride conversations totally led me to purchase some delectable Cinnabon rolls the next day and watch We Bought a Zoo for my next family movie night!

 

My favorite thing about Kaitlyn and Dennis is the way they complement each other so well. They propel each other forward toward their best selves and their best lives. They encourage each other, strengthen each other and love each other deeply. It is beautiful to watch and I’m so excited that the wedding is almost here!

 

What a treat! For this session we returned to the exact spot where Dennis proposed to Kaitlyn. What a special and meaningful photo shoot. Here is the exact spot in a beautiful, wooded canyon near Sedona!

 

Dennis and Kaitlyn, you are an amazing couple. I’m so blessed to be a part of your special day and cannot wait to capture all those beautiful memories. May these couple portraits always remind you of the deep love you have for each other. Lots of love for you both – I can’t wait until your big day!!

 

 

He scurried through the park, luggage in tow on a hot day towards a magical castle in Universal Studios. His goal was to propose to the love of his life. Originating from two different desert locations, they met in Seattle of all places, making coffee together at Starbucks. Now he was on his way to propose to his one love. Rushing in to surprise her on her vacation, he found his soon-to-be fiancée. He asked the magic question on the bridge in front of the castle. She said yes. The crowd clapped with loud applause and promptly purchased them both butter beer to celebrate.

This is one amazing couple. You can tell their relationship is built on a fabulous friendship and an undying commitment to love the other person well. Edward loves that Kylee is his steady rock. Kylee loves the way Edward is always appreciating her and telling her how he loves her. Their strengths totally complement each other and it is beautiful to watch. Together this is one powerful team.

Kylee and Edward, I love these pictures and I can’t wait to photograph your beautiful day! It’s almost here! You have persevered through one crazy year and now you shall soon be able to commit your love to each other forever. I’m so honored to be a part and cannot wait. May these pictures always remind you of your deep, sweet love for one another. It is glorious!

 

The glow. It’s what makes weddings so special. Glowing faces full of joy, glowing interactions ripe with emotion, and glowing symbolism in every moment. That’s why I like to call my company The Moment– it’s all about capturing those glow moments. And this day was absolutely full of them.

 

Rachel‘s eyes glistened with joyful tears as she got ready with her mother and then again when she did a first look with her father. (For all brides – you know those tears are beautiful – but you have to dab them away quickly because the makeup is still fresh early in the day!) There was definitely a gigantic glow on Gabriel‘s face as he saw his bride coming down the aisle. When Rachel‘s beautiful smile met his, I think he was literally about to burst out of his body! There was a beautiful glow in the soft moments where Rachel and Gabriel would sneak a cuddle with their faces and just enjoy being together, being married. The glow was in the sound of laughter that filled the air. This was a magnificent time of celebration! So much glow all day long!!

 

This day was also about incredible love and commitment. Not only did Rachel and Gabriel pledge their undying love to each other, but their friends and family committed to them as a couple as well. It was beautiful to see Rachel‘s maid of honor over Face Time. She wasn’t able to be there in person because as a nurse she was on the front lines fighting the pandemic. So what did she do? She got her dress and makeup on right along with the girls virtually! (And we made sure to get a bridesmaid photo with her and the bride together of course!) It was incredible to see the support of one of Rachel‘s good friends and Gabriel‘s older brother who customized the cake toppers with special masks. Totally priceless! They came out perfect!! The commitment and support was palpable. It came from the friends and family who were live streaming from afar and from those sitting right there in the church. Yes, this was a very special day.

 

Rachel and Gabe, you are a phenomenal couple. Your day was full of so many tender, beautiful moments. You also have an awesome streak of crazy good fun! I am so excited for your future together. May these photographs help you remember just how truly special your wonderful day was. Congratulations!!

 

 

 

 

Special thanks to the most excellent hosts at Arrowhead Country Club. And of course we had to take a few mask shots too 😉