Wow. I think I’ve been staring blankly at the keyboard for at least 5 minutes.

To you this may seem like just another engagement session post. But to me, this post is everything.

Insert an additional 5 minutes of blank staring here.

This is such a hard blog post to write. Not because it was a hard engagement session, in fact it was the opposite. But because this engagement session wasn’t for just any bride and groom. This session is for Jaye and Rob. My Jaye. The Jaye that most of my brides know by name. The Jaye that for the past seven years has given me wisdom, grace, understanding, patience, and most of all freedom.

Owning your own business is amazing. But let me tell you it is tough business. Most photographers are one-man-shows, but for me it’s a two-woman-show.

I first met Jaye 7 years ago when my husband Rob and I were teaching a photography class for Professional Photographers of America. She asked to learn more from me so I took her on as an intern (something I hadn’t had wild success with in the past) and she was with me for a year. After that year of training in not only photography, but the day-to-day tasks as well, I knew she was something special. Actually, I knew that probably about a month in, but when that year was up I hired her and haven’t looked back since.

Her job description evolved over the years from assistant, to office manager and now I just call her my right (and left) hand. She’s been there for me through crazy times in my business, and even crazier times in my life. Her now fiancee, Rob, literally built my studio/work space from the ground up (he’s an amazing contractor). When she asked me to photograph her engagement session (but still be a guest at the wedding) I don’t think I’ve never been more honored, and nervous, all at the same time.

How was I going to wrap up everything Jaye means to me up in a one-hour photo session?! It had to be perfect!

Jaye, thank you so much for for letting me photograph you guys. It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had on an engagement session, and the most meaningful too. Your positivity, loyalty and work-ethic all make you someone that I look up to and I’m not sure what I’ve done or do to deserve your friendship but I truly cherish it.

People often ask me if I get choked up at weddings. I do, very rarely. Ok fine – I’ve never actually cried at a wedding. Photos get blurry through tears so I’ve had to develop a bit of a thick skin. Thankfully, I’ll be a guest at this wedding rather than shooting it, so…pass the tissues. 🙂

enJoy!

Want to see behind-the-scenes of this engagement shoot? Watch the live video here:

~ From Jaye and Rob ~

What’s your favorite thing to do together?

What would be a great, special date for you two?

What is your favorite thing about each other?

How do you describe your relationship together?