It is an honor and a privilege to do the work that I do. Some people may view my job simply as taking pretty photos, but truthfully it is so much more. If I am being honest, I used to think it was just taking pretty photos. I would focus on the pretty. If a session wasn’t filled with stunning backdrops and perfectly planned outfits, I didn’t feel like I would have the ability to do great work. It was a shallow way of seeing things. But the more this business grew and the more I searched for meaning and purpose in my work, the more I realized that what I do really does matter. Because it isn’t about the photos. AT ALL. It is about the people in them. Their stories, their memories. Their joy and their pain. I am truly capturing life. The past few years we have ran a people centered business. I am guessing if you followed my work for a while, you would totally see when that switched happened. It was the moment my work became about more. And the funny thing about opening yourself up to people and running a business personally is that you get people to open up to you in return. The last few years as I have opened my heart more and more to the people behind my lens, the more I get to serve and love them well. And the more they trust me to capture their precious memories.

Today’s session is one just like that. You will recognize this sweet couple! They were one of my wedding clients last year. It was an honor to document their beginning as husband and wife. Katlyn is also a person that blesses and builds up others around her. Ever since she first contacted me when she was engaged, she has been supporting my work. Always liking and commenting and making me feel good. And through that process, I have gotten to know her and Matt as well. So when she contacted me and said she had a surprise she needed my help with, I was completely honored! Katlyn was expecting and wanted my help sharing the good news with Matt. You guys, how much of an honor is it to know someone is pregnant before their own husband does?!? So Katlyn and I worked together to plan a surprise photo shoot for Matt. Of course, Katlyn wanted to do these immediately because she couldn’t hold onto the secret, so we aimed for the very next day. Matt got off of work a little later than planned and we were literally chasing the sunlight to capture this moment. Matt had no idea. We started off shooting a few portraits that he thought I needed for a project. And then I handed them each a chalkboard to write something they loved about each other on. And that is when Katlyn surprised him! The moment was sweet and perfect! We ran out of light that night (and they had a lot of celebrating to do as well!) so we agreed to meet up another date to finish some portraits of the two of them in this new stage of life. The day we met was perfection! We got lucky enough to find some spring blooms and some sunshine! Enjoy these sweet photos of them!

If you like this post you may also like Matthew & Katlyn’s wedding, engagement or Katlyn’s Bridals!