Erin and Jonathan met in class while attending Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo.  Nothing ever really moved past the few casual hang outs and eventually, the two went their separate ways.  Then, as fate would have it, the two would run into each other after a women’s basketball game that Erin was assistant coaching and they would start dating.  Erin eventually moved to Arizona and after a few months of long distance dating and visiting, a very smitten Jonathan made the move to follow his love.  The Texas native Jonathan now works on the family dairy farm in Buckeye, Arizona alongside Erin’s brother.  He would have never guessed this would be what he’d be doing, but he absolutely loves it, he told me while driving me around on the farm cart as we moved shooting locations.

It was this past Valentine’s Day when Jonathan proposed at a dinner at the zoo.  There was a specific table in mind already set up and arranged, but it didn’t go quite smoothly when the waitress who didn’t recognize Jonathan attempted to direct him to a different table and he had to insist they sit at THAT pretty set up table.  Their song came on, Jonathan asked Erin to dance and as he spun her around and held her shimmying back and forth, Erin felt him shake nervously.  She turned around to sit down and there sat a little box.  She figured they were earrings until Jonathan bent down on bended knee and proposed to her with a gorgeous emerald cut sapphire engagement ring.

And after “Yes!” their engagement story begins, starting at the family dairy farm that Erin grew up on, where her older brother and his wife, currently live and manage the family dairy farm.  They are my 9-10-11 couple!

I should also add that Erin is one of my best friend Meagan’s younger sisters.  Congratulations Erin and Jonathan!  I had so much fun and big thanks to Wes for driving us around.  Never stop kissing you two – I probably don’t have to tell you that Jonathan. :)  To view the entire session VIEW THE SLIDESHOW!

Diana Elizabeth kept referring to the farm animals as “wildlife.”  Clearly, she is a city girl.  Could she ever be a farm girl?  Probably not but she just adores the creatures and scenery farms provide.  If she could shoot on farms for every session, she most definitely would.

Engagements

Joanna is Jacob’s first, and last Valentine.  Jacob, the EMT (future fireman) met the giggly gorgeous woman of his dreams, Joanna at a birthday party less than a year ago and this year, they will marry on the same day they met, June 4.

I first met Joanna through email and I could tell that we would click instantly.  It was so evident through our overuse of exclamation points, gushing over wedding plans and the idea of using tons and tons of props for this vintage Valentine’s Day themed engagement session that we would have a blast together.  Even meeting in person I was excited to hug them both!

We headed to The Farm at South Mountain where Joanna showed off her awesome Betsey Johnson dress that she put over a hot pink tutu, and brought some meaningful props, and some just for fun to equal a wonderfully fantastic time.

“Thank you for being you,” said Jacob and Joanna after our session. My heart melted.  Thank you Joanna and Jacob for being who you guys are.  You are amazing, lovable and so much fun. I am so blessed to have you in my life and I cannot wait for your wedding, we’re going to have so much fun!

Venue: The Farm at South Mountain / Makeup: Lizzy Marsh / Hair: Vonn Wynn / Dress Designer & pink crinoline: Betsey Johnson

Diana Elizabeth has officially eaten all of her pink strawberry heart shaped marshmallows.  And, she doesn’t even like marshmallows.  So that means yes, she bought them because they were pink and heart shaped.  She is a sucker for all things pink and cute.

Engagements

Shiloh knew exactly what he was doing when he and Allison were in the kitchen and he jokingly wrapped a bread tie around Allison’s ring finger.

“One day,” he said to her.  She giggled.  He took it off and put it in his pocket, without her knowing.

Two years later, Shiloh used that same bread tie band and headed to the jewelry store and gave it to the jeweler to find Allison’s ring finger size.

While on a trip together in Italy, Shiloh handed his camera to fellow tourists, asking them to take a photos of he and Allison by the Trevi Fountain.  It was there, in front of the beautiful and famous Trevi Fountain where Shiloh would get down on bended knee and ask Allison to spend forever with him.

This past weekend we met at the Arizona Grand Resort where the pair were busy doing the cute smoochy stuff before I was even ready.  I would be checking settings and the two would keep the love going – just what I love.

Congratulations Allison and Shiloh!  I felt giddy just watching you both so in love.  Enjoy the next three months and never stop the nuzzles!

Don’t miss all of the love! CLICK HERE to view the slideshow of the entire session!

Diana Elizabeth has not been to Italy but would love to go.  A friend of hers once asked on Facebook for Italy sightseeing hot spots.  Diana just replied, “Sights? How about the men?”  She was joking. Kind of.

Engagements

Hope you all enjoyed the last weekend before Christmas! Can you believe it?  After I am done working on three awesome shoots from this weekend (my second weekend in a row of doing three shoots in a weekend), I am officially on vacation until the New Year!  Vacation really means I won’t be shooting but we all know I’ll be working because I can’t stop!

For now, while I’m trying to wrap up my editing, I’ll leave you an upcoming e-session with Allison and Shiloh.  I can’t tell you how in love these two are and how easy it was to capture it!  More on them tomorrow.

I still have Christmas shopping to do, for reals.

Diana Elizabeth attended Jason Hope‘s Ludacris-tmas party and was happy to watch Rachelle McCray do her thing and interview the celebs that were in attendance.  Highlight was Cold Stone Creamery (Diana is that simple of a girl) and E!’s Giuliana Rancic remembering Diana when she worked at E! and even said it was nearly six years ago at Highlands when they first met.  That time she was dating Jerry O’Connell (Giuliana, not Diana).  To see a pic of Diana with friend Charlie (Rachelle’s bf) click here.  The theme was all white.

Engagements

It was senior year of high school in math class where they would meet. Seating was arranged by last name and so that put Ashley behind Bobby.  She stared at the back of his head and also observed day after day, his long legs stretching into the center aisle.

Bobby was the high school jock, playing basketball and baseball while Ashley, petite and girly, would dash off to ballet class. They had no mutual friends and although they had been at the same high school for years, it wasn’t until that math class, and their close seating proximity where their lives would cross paths.

By Homecoming, that’s when things really started to happen.  Though Bobby and Ashley went with other dates, throughout the evening they found themselves enthralled with each other that by the end of the night, they continued to hang out to get to know each other more, leaving their dates behind.

They joked that they weren’t a very touchy feely couple, but I don’t believe them.  Every time I was in the middle of changing my lens they would do something cute and I’d have to tell them to stop and wait for me!

So excited for you both Ashley and Bobby!  Thanks for inviting me into this time of your life, you were so precious and I loved seeing how much you both apparently adore each other!

I noticed they were both wearing similar cancer bracelets and asked about their significance.  Ashley explained that Bobby’s father is currently battling stage four brain cancer and her godmother is battling ovarian cancer.  Find these bracelets at www.supportstore.com.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Sweet embrace.  Kudos to makeup artist Lizzy Marsh who has done my makeup too!

I caught myself smiling a lot as I was going through the editing process of selecting pictures.  I love the way Bobby looks at Ashley.

When I positioned them on the fountain edge, I asked Ashley to just sit how she feels was comfortable.  She practically sat on Bobby’s lap which was adorable.  Oh, and they wouldn’t stop kissing!

Love the excitement on Ashley’s face!

I swear Ashley should be a model. Girlfriend knows how to give the right expressions!

To view the entire engagement session, CLICK HERE to view the slideshow.

Makeup: Lizzy Marsh

Diana Elizabeth had a fun time at Scottsdale Fine Arts with at least two dozen other photographers.  All were battling location spots and shooting family portraits for Christmas.  It was insane, and yet humorous all at the same time.

Engagements

Jessica lived in North Carolina and had spent the Fourth of July with a longtime girlfriend who had recently moved to Oregon.  After the weekend was over, her girlfriend told her to email the photos to Justin, a friend of hers, who also lived in Oregon.

When Justin opened up his inbox well, you could say that he was pretty much taken aback by Jessica’s beauty.  She was stunning, and he wanted to get to know her.  This story began seven years ago.  The two, both on opposite sides of the country, kept in touch through AIM.  After a year of chatting, as timing would have it, Jessica had a conference to attend in Oregon.   That’s where and when they would meet for the first time.

She told Justin she was downstairs in the hotel lobby, when in fact, she was waiting outside his hotel room door.  Anxious, Justin, who played a wide receiver in high school, walked out of his hotel room with a football, as he tossed it from hand to hand.  To this day, he isn’t quite sure why he didn’t leave the football in his room.  As they chatted, he continually fumbled with the ball in his hands, nerves, he guesses.

You could say the two clicked instantly in person.   After high school, both attended the University of West Virginia where they continued their courtship throughout college.  The recent grads are new to the Valley and are planning their October wedding back on the East Coast.

Congratulations Jessica and Justin, you both were so much fun!  Thank you for making this easily, one of my favorite sessions of all time.

Jessica and Justin brought cupcakes to the shoot.  Not just any cupcakes, Sprinkles cupcakes.  They even brought a chocolate one for me, so sweet!

Thought it’d be fun to see what they’d do with cupcake icing…let’s call this wedding cake feeding practice.

I told Jessica that I thought she should be a hand model.  I love how she elegantly cupped the back of Justin’s head.

Jessica, your smile is so pretty.

There were so many of these during the shoot…

Because a football was there to witness the first meeting, it only seemed suitable that one be present at the engagement session.

To view Jessica and Justin’s entire engagement session, CLICK HERE for the slideshow.

Diana Elizabeth remembers when AOL Instant Messenger was popular.  You would hear doors close or open when people would sign on or off.  She always left hers on when she was a freshman living in the dorms.  She had special sounds for special people and always put away messages up when she was away at class or at a frat party.  AIM and Snood, the latest obsessions.  Oh, the days.

Engagements

“Jeff and Brianna met one summer night at a concert.  Jeff dedicated a song to Brianna in the audience and his romantic gesture made quite an impression and they began dating.  After two years of dating, Jeff proposed on Brianna’s 24th birthday.”  That is what is written on the back of their Save the Date postcards, and that pretty much sums up this lovely couple.

You may recognize beautiful Brianna in her shoot I did here.  I know, I’ve come a long way as a photographer since then.  This pretty girl has an infectious laugh, a caring heart, and more patience than anyone I know.  She also makes up the most ridiculous blended words that I swear should be in the dictionary, but aren’t.  The best part, Jeff, and how much he loves her for it.  Jeff is the lead singer for Riot for Romance I love their song “Hey Girl.”  I often find myself jamming out to their music in my car.

I can’t say enough how complimentary they are for each other.  If there’s one thing I always notice as a photographer, it’s how couples look at one another when they don’t even know I’m watching.  I love the way Brianna looks at Jeff and I love the way Jeff loves Brianna.

Congratulations you two, I cannot wait for your wedding in February.  So  happy you found each other.

This might be the most perfect kiss on the nose if I’ve ever seen one.

Bubble time!

Brianna couldn’t stop laughing with Jeff in her neck, and I just thought this was one of the cutest pictures.

The gorgeous golden light on Bri’s face. I love Jeff’s smirk.

I love this time of the year in Arizona and was thrilled that the clouds stuck around so I could get some great sky!

Diana Elizabeth would like to thank her little shadow Kelly for coming.  Kelly is in 7th grade and is the cousin-in-law of Diana’s “sister” Ariel.  She’s super interested in photography and came along to observe and snap some great photos of her own.  She knows way more about photography than Diana did at her age.  Watch out world.

Engagements

Remember Brenna and Nate’s engagement shoot?  You know, the one of Miss Arizona USA 2006 (and Top 10 at Miss USA might I add) and a rock band guitarist?

Well we’re less than 50 days away from the big day!  This past weekend was Brenna’s bridal shower held at McDowell Mountain Ranch in Scottsdale thrown by seven bridesmaids, one of which includes myself.

The details were divine, (check out the cake!) and well, of course so was the bride.

Congratulations Brenna!  I cannot wait to stand up there with you and witness your forever I do!

Matron of Honor Leeann, playing an iPod that had Nate’s voice on it as Brenna had to guess 18 answers about Nate’s favorite things.  Does she look familiar?  Perhaps you’ve seen her on the GoDaddy.com Super Bowl commercial, or seen her as PowerBall?  She’ll even tell you all about how to get started with your GoDaddy.com domain.

Venue: McDowell Mountain Ranch in Scottsdale / Cake: Sugarlips Cakery / Bride’s dress: Hottie / Bride’s shoes: Jessica Simpson / Bride’s headband: Ross / Invitations: Silver Spoon Studio / Catering: Heidi’s Events & Catering

Diana Elizabeth painted her toes bright orange for the last time this year.  She was very excited to start wearing her go-to color OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark on her fingers and toesies but decided she’d give the bright colors one more round at the salon before stashing them away.

Engagements

Vegas was the destination.

Tyler was heading there with some buddies from work and Christina was going to a Britney Spears concert with girlfriends.  So it seemed unlikely that either would meet “the one” on the Southwest flight departing from PHX’s Sky Harbor International Airport.  They bumped into each other at the ticket gate while scrambling to check in their bags and had a short conversation.

When Tyler walked on the flight and saw that Christina had saved him a seat, well, he was elated – who cared about his buddies! He was going to spend all weekend with them, but this beauty (a former Fiesta Bowl Princess, Miss Arizona USA finalist, and model), well the 40 minute flight seemed like 40 seconds and he couldn’t get enough of her.  The two exchanged phone numbers and Tyler couldn’t keep his mind off her all weekend. Christina swears after that conversation, she knew Tyler encompassed all that she ever imagined since she was a little girl.  He was smart, funny, good looking and they saw eye to eye on moral values and beliefs, he was the one.

11 months later, Tyler took the day off of work on the Friday of Valentine’s Day weekend to prepare for the proposal.  He spent the day staging the house with white tablecloths, dozens of candles, and fresh roses so the house would be perfectly romantic when Christina came home from work.  Christina expected nothing more than just a lovely Valentine’s Day dinner, and after enjoying the salmon dinner that Tyler had successfully cooked, despite his lack of skill in cooking, he told Christina to reach under her chair.  Taped under her seat, was a box with the ring.  As she discovered it, a look of confusion, then surprise came across her face as Tyler rushed to her side on bended knee, asking her to be his wife.

Christina, you are drop. dead. gorgeous.  Tyler, you are a smart man.  I know this because you chose to make this beauty your wife.  Happy planning you two and thank you for allowing me to capture your love. There were so many good ones, be sure to CLICK HERE for their slideshow.

Christina and Tyler are the “perfect pair”

To see more of Christina and Tyler’s engagement shoot, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!
Pink bike courtesy of Erika & Glynn’s Beach Cruisers.  The pink bike, which I now own!

Engagements

I’ve never done this before, but apparently you all love Brenna and Nate.  Hello, who wouldn’t? And no, don’t even think about it, I already get their first born because how else do you think they paid for a shoot with me?

I’m posting a few more favorites for those who didn’t look at the slideshow. Back to your favorite love birds, and one of mine too.

At ASU Gammage (it sort of bothers me that I know this now, being a UA Wildcat and all)

Cute story about this little church on ASU campus.  Brenna’s parents were wed in this church over a Labor Day weekend.  Brenna wanted to make sure she and Nate had a photo right in front.

And after Brenna’s parents were married, they snapped a photo of her mom sitting on the tree and her dad behind her. So, we had to get that too.  I just got goosebumps typing that.  Amazing how a few decades later, their stunning daughter would take her engagement photos in the very same spot.

Engagements