eNgAgEmEnT PiCtUrEs

How excited are you to look at pictures of my significant other and I gazing into each others eyes? Very excited I'm sure. Before we get started let's talk about the vision (I always have a vision) I had for these pictures.

• First, I wanted us to look natural and happy. Like many other people my age, I took senior pictures my last year of high school. Like ALL other people my age, I regret them and am horribly embarrassed by them now. Good thing there's a billboard size picture of me glaring at the camera framed on our stairwell! Instead of seeing it as an opportunity for my parents to have some nice photos of me from that time of my life I saw it as my modeling debut. I don't wanna talk about it. So when it came time to take the engagement pictures I wanted to stay away from anything that felt too serious or forced.Just say no.
• I wanted the photos to makes sense in regards to our personalities and interests. I've seen mucho amounts of BEAUTIFUL engagement pictures taken in fields and the woods. It's the perfect outdoorsy backdrop for stunning photos, except we're not really outdoorsy (although I tried to be for years). To put things into perspective, Nick once asked on a hike if there was a Sonic at the lookout point. Ok, you believe me now. So when talking to our photographer about possible locations we decided on the Bishop Arts District in Dallas. It's a hip and charming little area filled with local restaurants and great store fronts. I love that this was the backdrop for our photos because it's reflective of us as a couple. 
• We've all seen those couples pictures that look ummm...a little too steamy and a little too intense. Like, should this be on the cover of one of those romance novels they sell at the grocery store? I don't want grandma to see such a picture on the save-the-date and neither does she. Let's keep things as light and un-awkward for all parties involved.

With all of this in mind, I went on a search to find someone to take said engagement pictures. I'm not sure if calling it a "search," is really accurate though because it took about two seconds seeing as I've known for months I wanted Sara and Rocky to take our pictures. Not only are they super talented but they really and truly care about their clients and that shows through in their work. Spending time with Rocky while taking our engagements felt more like an outing with a friend than a photo session. And as many of you might know, the learning curve while planning a wedding is huge, seeing as you've never done it before. Rocky and Sara have been here the whole way though, providing us with advice on vendors for everything from DJ's to florists. I can't recommend them highly enough. 

worth mentioning: latte, not milk. 

Side note: Nick and I laughed together after we got the pictures back about how Facebook leads you to believe everyone is abnormally attractive and somehow you missed the boat. Here's the truth though, Rocky took about 500 pictures of us and of those 500 sent us 100. Of those 100 there's about 10 where I don't have a double chin and the wind isn't blowing Nick's hair in such a way that reveals he's going to be bald by like, tomorrow. Those are the 10 we put on Facebook.

So whenever you're looking through people's engagement pictures on Facebook please know this: we're all pretty average looking human beings doing the best we can. As you were.