I was so excited to see a text message from a dear friend. I was even more excited to see the content!! Josh Stefanski was working with his phenomenal family to create something very special.

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I asked him how he was feeling. There was 30 minutes until it was time. He said he was “terrified.” and I let him know that was an appropriate emotional response.

Josh was about to offer to commit his life to a very special person and he wanted everything to go just right. He had sent for a limousine to pick her up. She was just barely back from a family trip to Italy and now her life would change forever. He had invited dozens of friends and family to wait inside the house. All the lights were turned off and all the blinds were closed.

His brother Josiah had just finished mowing of the grass. His brother Sam was finishing the beautiful setting in the backyard with linens, roses, candles, and vases. His dad was giving instructions to the guests on how to properly hide for the surprise. His mom was setting out food in fancy displays. When the Stefanski‘s do something significant, it is always a family affair. They are in it together and I love it!

From the moment they laid eyes on each other, they couldn’t stop smiling. Whitney and Josh had definitely reached a special climax. You could tell by the joy that would not stop radiating off of both of their faces as she raced to meet him.  Josh poured out his heart and she reciprocated with a resolute yes!! So much beauty in that short moment!!

Congratulations Josh and Whitney! Josh, you always give every part of yourself to everything you set your mind to. I know your marriage will be no less. Whitney, Josh is lucky to have you and I know he will be an incredible blessing to you. I know the best is yet to come! Many blessings to your beautiful future!!

 

 

 

This couple is beautiful inside and out!! Here are just a few of the things that made me love them even more on our epic photography road trip.

 

• Being a staunch Wildcats fan, Josh only judged me a little bit when I pulled out my Sun Devils coffee mug.
• Danielle basically hiked to the bottom of Oak Creek in wedge heels. That is hard-core!
• Driving together I got to hear their dreams for life and for each other and understand how they have truly been custom-designed for each other!

 

Josh is a family friend so I was beyond excited to finally meet his beautiful bride-to-be in person. Needless to say, our time together was one fun adventure that felt more like friends on an epic quest than a photographer on an engagement session. I loved hearing how they met, how they had friends who embarrassed them with their enthusiasm for their relationship before it was a relationship. How they both love children (who literally came up to them out of nowhere to say hello at Dairy Queen on the way to Sedona) and how they both love helping other people. I loved learning about the people they look up to; it is evident that they are inspired by a strong community of friends and family who have helped them come this far and will continue to support them all the way.

Their love for each other when looking into each others’ eyes, talking about their dreams for the future, or laughing together in a fit of goofiness was absolutely special; it was a dream to be a part of it all. To top it off, the natural glow of beautiful golden light right before sunset made everything absolutely magical.

Danielle and Josh, it was so much fun going on our epic road trip adventure together. Remember to enjoy every moment of the engagement. You only get this opportunity once! May these photographs be a reminder of just how special your relationship is every day!

 

 

 

His sweaty hand clutched the object in his pocket. She thought it was just a styled shoot, but he had delivered hundreds of pizzas to surprise her. It was all about timing – the secret was to follow him around snapping photographs until he scouted the perfect location and gave the signal. Then he would ask the question that would change both their lives forever.

He had been saving up for months and she had no idea. The weather was beautiful, the trees were gorgeous, and the outfits perfectly fit their personalities. Now he just had to find the right spot and give me the sign. We traipsed through the woods, meeting people who congratulated them after seeing Kristyn’s styled white dress. They kept asking if they had been married today. “Not yet,” he thought.

After we circled through multiple locations – he wanted the spot to be just right – he settled on a field overlooking a breathtaking gorge. The rest is history. Their smiles were huge, gleaming, non-stop. And I don’t think those smiles will ever fade.

Kristyn and Kyler, I am blown away by the way you care for each other and the happiness you bring each other every day. I can’t wait to see what happens next. The best is yet to come!

 

 

Check out behind behind the scenes!

[arve url=”https://vimeo.com/255216238″ /]

Sarah and Marcus fell in love in high school. They have grown together for ten beautiful years and now they are getting married. What could be sweeter than doing their engagement shoot on the campus where they met on their ten-year relationship anniversary?!! It was like watching a movie unfold as they walked through their old stomping grounds, pointing out where they used to meet by her locker or hang out in the walkway beside the gym after class. It was funny to hear how Sarah would intentionally walk past Marcus at certain times to get his attention. These were all the beautiful places where their relationship started. And that was just the beginning!

 

What was even more beautiful were they joyful looks they gave each other, the genuine laughter, and the palpable love.

 

Sarah and Marcus, your relationship is beautiful. It is intentional. And it is strong. I love the thought that went into this engagement session that was also an anniversary session. Enjoy every moment of this special time. You’re only engaged once! I hope you had as much fun as I did and that these photographs remind you that you already have an amazing foundation. I can’t wait until we get to photograph your big day. It will be just the beginning again!

 

 

I learned a lot from this engagement session. 1) Miracles do exist! You can find snow in the desert (even when it doesn’t rain)! 2) Aaron has diverse music tastes and is especially good at road trip playlists. 3) Rachael is one of the most thoughtful, intentional, and creative people of all time!

 

Needless to say, we had a blast. In case you can’t guess where she got her inspiration for the colors and theme of this day – it was definitely from one of Disney’s greatest love stories of all time, Beauty and the Beast. That was the inspiration for the delicate rose, the deep red cloak, the royal navy suit, and that fabulous gold dress! (And part of the reason we were on the hunt for that elusive desert snow.) I know right?! It’s literally the best ever!! And there was no better way to celebrate our successful photo shoot than Thai food on the way home! See, it was literally the best ever!

 

Rachael and Aaron, I enjoyed our time so much together. It was truly a great adventure. I had a blast catching up on life — you have so much to look forward to in your future. Whether it’s moving into a new place together after you are married, finishing school, growing your career and family, or even just watching fun television shows together, your future is SO bright. But what I loved the most was your deep love and natural joy with each other. It was a privilege to watch you care with such unintentional intentionality. (Yes, I know those words are opposites but it describes exactly what I saw.) Enjoy every moment because you only get this engagement once. And I don’t know about you, but I am sure getting excited for your wedding day. I hope you love your photos as much as I loved taking them. The best is yet to be!!