According to Brittany, their first date came after she lost a bet and had to kiss him. According to Brandon, Brittany lost the bet intentionally.

Whether or not Brandon’s suspicions are right, it worked out for both of them: They got engaged eight months later, and Danny and I had the pleasure of photographing their beach wedding in Ormond this past May, before they settled into life together in the Midwest, near Brandon’s Army base.

Due to Brandon’s hectic military schedule, we didn’t have a chance to shoot any engagement pictures last spring, so when  they came back to Florida for Christmas, we jumped at the chance to get some casual portraits of the pair. Their “engagement” session has been a long time in the making! And it was worth the wait. We had a gorgeous afternoon at Ormond Memorial Gardens, chasing the sunlight and laughing about everything from the rules of sharing a bed to the stray cat Brittany took in and Brandon gave away the same day.

We also got some amazing pictures with them. Wow. Just wow, you two.
This is why Danny and I love working together so much: While he was getting the picture above, I was taking the ones below.
Both Brittany and Brandon were looking pretty great that afternoon — but I’d have to say the camera kept working its way over to Brittany. I think it liked her. Lots. In fact, I know it.
When you’re shooting pictures at Ormond Memorial Gardens, some waterfall pictures are absolutely mandatory. Really, they are. Danny and I have some of ourselves in front of it during our own engagement session, nearly three years ago.
Two things I learned about Brandon during our shoot: 1.) It’s clear he really loves Brittany and wants her to be happy, and 2.) He makes her laugh nonstop, and she’s powerless to resist.
Lens flare is one of my best friends — I just love the rainbow that leads straight to Brittany and Brandon in this next picture.
Earlier, I might have mentioned that Brittany was looking quite beautiful during our shoot. Well, scratch that: She was looking gorgeous, and so glamorous, even in jeans and a tank top. “Gorgeous” and “glamorous” aren’t words Brittany and I would usually use to describe each other’s appearance when we see each other, because we most often cross paths when we’re in our grungiest stable clothes, mucking stalls and grooming our horses at the stable her mother manages. But, just like on her wedding day, Brittany looked radiant. I think she glows when Brandon’s around.
If you’ve been following my blog, you’ve probably noticed that this post is heavier on black and white photographs than the majority of my photo shoots. Don’t worry; Brittany and Brandon get color versions of most of the pictures, too. But I just loved the way the warm black and white tones heightened the romance. They had plenty of chemistry. I think it’s even more tangible in black and white.
And then this happened. All his military training and all her horseback riding-produced thigh and core strength could not make this work.
They’re cute. Both of them.
This next picture makes me want to giggle every time I look at it, because I can imagine Brittany as a little girl when I see this expression on her face.
I love ring shots — whether the rings are one fingers, or on something else, like an obliging hibiscus. And I love the dreaminess of the picture below on the right. And the picture after that, filled with anticipation, and a little heart-fluttering. So right at this point in this blog post, I’m about happy enough to burst. That’s one of my favorite things about pictures: How many emotions they can elicit, long after they were taken. 
Brittany and Brandon, I’m going to say it one more time. You were incredible, and you looked incredible! We were honored to photograph your wedding, and your belated engagement session, in 2011, and we wish you a 2012 filled with even greater happiness!

~ Laura