April & Tom - Engagement

Tom and April, April and Tom.  Could these two look any cuter together?  Both tall, thin, dark curly hair... and both as nice as can be.  I met Tom shortly after my move to KC.  He was the first to greet me on the ultimate Frisbee field.  I was a newbie, and a little (lot) scared, and his kindness meant the world to me.  When it comes to being warm and welcoming, Tom is absolutely king.  April and my meeting was a bit more unusual... I had an extra Sugarland ticket, and she, as Tom excitedly exclaimed, really wanted to go.  She just needed someone to go with...  So I called her up and we had a blind friend date and enjoyed the best performance I've seen at the Sprint Center.  Love me some Sugarland...

It was so fitting to hear these two were finally dating.  It just made sense.  And, as these things go, their dating soon turned into a proposal and which is quickly turning into a fall wedding.  This session was so wonderful - it was the first time back in nature since the icecapades this winter brought, and the sun, the light, the colors, the couple... ah.  Just wonderful.

And adding to the joy - April and Tom won their engagement session during a silent auction fundraiser held for City on a Hill.  If you haven't heard of it, check it out.  It's a ministry serving young adults in the KC Metro and they host a ton of great events throughout the year.  An easy way to meet others, grow in faith, and participate in the community.

City on a Hill is how April and Tom met, so you never know...

Lynnea & Blaine - Engagement

There were so many reasons I couldn't wait for this engagement session.  First, because I'd finally meet Lynnea.  Who Blaine is crazy about.  And, knowing Blaine for the past few years, I was a little protective of who would become his future Mrs.  She couldn't be just anyone.  She had to be awesome.  And funny.  And beautiful.  And really funny.  And really, really awesome.

Secondly, it was my first outdoor session post dreary winter.  Hello sunshine and color and smiling faces.  Hallelujah!

And lastly, because I'm so happy for Blaine.  We met through work at my previous job at a small, practically unknown burrito joint known as a Chipotle.  We were both new to the market.  Me in HR, him in IT.  We had to stick together.  It's a crazy world out there.  He always impressed me with his sincerity, his ability to get a laugh, and just his general kindness to others.  Plus, he could fix my computer which frequently seemed to have issues...

"Blaine - my computer is freaking out.  I can't get it to do anything and the internet won't work"
"Rachelle, have you tried restarting it?"
"Uhhh... well... (sigh).  No."
"Why don't you do that first and call me back."

Everytime.

And nine times out of ten that's all it needed. Blasted.

So, Blaine deserved a great woman in his life.  Someone to match his character and charisma.  Someone to laugh at his jokes.  Within two seconds of meeting Lynnea it was easy to see Blaine's draw to her.  She is so full of joy and laughter!  And that gorgeous red hair - how incredible!  She and Blaine were comfortable and confident together.  And just plain happy. I have never laughed as hard during a session as I did with them.

Lynnea, you definitely passed the awesome test.  I am so happy for you both and can't wait to see you again in May!

Ashlee & Aaron - Engagement

I had to laugh.  Quickly after meeting Aaron and Ashlee, Aaron apologized and said his two least favorite things are having his picture taken and going to the dentist.  I told him we might be off to a rough start because taking photos is my gig, and in the in-between I work at a dental office.  We had a good chuckle about that.  What are the chances?  Aaron didn't have to worry long - give him a cup of coffee and a pair of running shoes and he is good to go.

Their engagement session took place during on an unbelievably piercing cold January afternoon.  Since a full outdoor shoot wasn't an option, we opted for a few indoor locations.  Union Station was the first stop, and we ended up enjoying it so much, we spent our whole time there.

Well... almost. When Ashlee originally emailed, she had one request.  And it was really quite a simple one.  Ever since she was a little girl, she has enjoyed the beauty of twinkling Christmas lights and wanted some photos at Crown Center with the adorned trees.  Absolutely!  How could I resist?  Every year when I journey back home, the family (and sometimes neighbors too) pile in the car and tour our small town's light displays.  We ooh and ahh over the nativity scenes and decorated lawns and rooftop ledges.

So after the indoor photos were taken and the sun was hanging low, we bundled up tight and prepared for arctic conditions.  Aaron and Ashlee were awesome - it was so crazy freezing cold, but they endured and kept smiling through the windchill and frigidity and frost nip.  Okay, so no one got frost bite.  But they could have.  I'm sure of it.  And Ashlee looked absolutely beautiful through it all - zero degrees was no match for this girl's smile.  She rocked the entire afternoon.

Thank you Ashlee and Aaron for the Union Station adventures and conquering the great (freezing) outdoors together.  I can't wait for your July wedding when it will be nice and sunny!

Matt & Genie - Engagement

It was a perfect fall day to enjoy the changing leaves and smiling faces.  Genie and Matt are both med students and met during classes in KC.  She is a classmate of my college roomate, Megan (who - sidenote - owns a paper design company, Little Yellow Leaf, which I highly recommend checking out because... she is awesome) and his hometown is the shared by a few friends from college, and a friend I have here in KC too.  I suppose I mention all of this simply because it never ceases to amaze me how many connections we have with one another if we take the time to find out.  So, Genie and Matt are incredibly smart and fun and I was so happy to spend Saturday afternoon with them.  Thank you both so much!  Please note some photos had minor color correction.  You know, to make them look extra awesome.