True Love.

So last month I had an awesome opportunity to second shoot a wedding with the wonderful Chris Whonsetler :)  He was gracious enough to let me tag along behind him asking all kinds of questions, moving his equipment, asking more questions followed by me asking....well, more questions :)  So I wanted to share a few photos that I look while helping him get some more candid shots.  This was my first wedding!  I can say that I still have things to learn and I can't wait to get more practice for the 2 weddings I have this summer :)

This wedding was for Clinton & Bethany.  I spent the majority of my time with Bethany while she was getting ready with her bridesmaids.  I had a blast :)  Bethany is one of those girls that are just genuinely sweet.  She was so welcoming when me, a stranger, walked into her room and put my camera in her face!  My favorite part was when "Mmm Bop" by Hanson came on her iTunes :)  Bethany & Clinton--I wish the best for you both and I know God will truly bless your marriage.  Thanks for letting my tag along with Chris on your special day!

 The pin on her garder is a family heirloom :)

The girls shared a wonderful prayer for Bethany and Clinton before she walked down the isle

 

What a beautiful bride!

 She's married :)

 The happy couple

 One of my favorites :)

 

The pastor forgot to say "you may kiss the bride" at the ceremony.....so they made up for it at the reception!

And I will leave you with everyone gettin' down at the reception :)

Bethany & Clinton, thank you again for letting me be a part of this special day :)  It was so beautiful to see the love you both have for each other and I hope that you keep that love for years to come :)

Michael+Holly+Rylan+Baby Dawson

So a couple of weeks ago I traveled over to Kokomo, IN to take maternity pictures for our friends Michael & Holly.  She was about to pop--so I am glad we got them done when we did! :)  They were expecting a son and they named him Dawson Tyler.  He was actually born last week!  They also decorated his nursery in a Cubs theme because they named him after a player named Dawson (can't remember the exact player though....) and since the weather has been so horrible we decided to take the pictures in their house--which posed lighting issues for me......but we worked it out :) 

This family means the world to me.  Michael is in our group so we travel with them a lot and they still choose to be my friend :)  Which is a blessing.

 One of my favorites :)

 

 Rylan behaved so well!  All I had to do was let him take some pictures and he sat still and smiled! :)

 

Another one of my favorites!

 

 

Rylan is such a sweetie.  He loved telling me about his baby brother! :)

 A night at the Early household! :)

And of course....Big Brother :)

Thanks for being patient with me guys!  I had such a blast capturing these memories for you.

Friendship.

Friendship.  It seems so simple when you are young and have no responsibilities.  But when you start to get older....it seems to get more and more difficult as the days and months go by.  It becomes more of a choice rather than asking permission on a Friday night.    When you get to the choosing part, people start to just....die off.  And you are left with the people who choose you.  Who choose your friendship, your support, your love.

This past weekend I spent in Nashville, TN with one of those friends.  We grew up together in church but didn't become really close until our senior year of high school.  After that, we had a special connection and I have never been able to pin point what that quite is!  Sometimes I think Bethany just understands me (which is hard to do...).  I commend her for that, because I can be a complicated person!  I love her so dearly and I am so thankful she chooses our friendship :)

One thing I forgot to mention--she is expecting!  (Just like everyone else around me....)  So I wanted to share some picture of her and her husband I grabbed real quick before I left yesterday :)  Bethany, thank you for being such an encouragement to me and for taking the time to care about my life :)

Her cake at the Baby shower--the thyme in the nursery....Owls :)

 Momma to be :)

Bethany and her beautiful Mother

Bethany and her Grandmother

Bethany and her sister, Joann :)

Bethany, her husband Xander, and their dog Bowzer :)

Bethany & Xander--thanks for letting me crash at your place this weekend! :)  I had an awesome time, and I can't wait for Brinkley to arrive!