When we first talked about their wedding, back in June, something happened that we’d never experienced with another bride during a pre-wedding meeting before: As Brittany and Justin sat in their house and I sat in mine, on the other end of a Skype call, Brittany got all choked up, and I even saw a few tears. She talked about what she was anticipating for their wedding day, and how she wanted to experience the full range of emotion she saw written on the faces of the couples whose weddings she’d seen on our website. It was so clear so quickly, just what Justin meant to her, and what she meant to Justin. They talked about the details of their wedding — the travel theme, the colors, the venue — but mostly they talked about how much it meant to them to get married.

At their engagement session on The Loop earlier this month, we got to see for ourselves just how much they mean to each other.
Brittany, you looked so beautiful at your engagement shoot — we can’t wait to see how radiant you are as a bride!The happiness in both their smiles was contagious. And the sunrise looked so good on these two!A girl and her man . . . and her dog. Brittany and Justin brought along Whiskey, their super-smart Australian shepherd who posed as well for the camera as most people. We talked about how when Brittany and Justin get married this spring, Brittany won’t be the only one whose last name changes — Whiskey is going to become a Willis, too!With Whiskey there to oversee the shoot, could it have been any more appropriate to photograph Brittany’s gorgeous pear-shaped diamond ring (designed by Justin) on a flask?!
After an outfit change, we wrapped up the shoot at Ames Park. The plan had been to do additional pictures at a local diner, but when the diner was unexpectedly closed even though they’d confirmed the shoot with the owner, they rolled with it and quickly suggested a Plan B that was as good as any Plan A we could think of. See for yourself.
So, so cute, you two! (Don’t they just look like they’re a couple of 1930’s socialites breezing around a cottage on holiday?!)
And we’ll end with one of my favorites — a moment that unfolded organically, and after I’d already switched off my camera as we headed back to our cars at the end of the shoot. These are the kinds of authentic, love-filled moments that make me absolutely love being a photographer!Brittany and Justin, if your engagement session was any indication, you’re going to have one wonderful wedding day next May! We had so much fun with you during this shoot, and we are so excited for your wedding!

~ Laura + Danny