Lauren Wakefield

I think I can honestly say I have never laughed so much during an engagement session.   These two are so infectious.  Their laughter…their kindness…the pure joy you feel when you’re around them.  I had only known them for five minutes and I felt like we were old friends.  Just catching up and laughing until our sides hurt.  The whole time…I couldn’t help but imagine how happy their life together was going to be.  There were several times I caught myself with the biggest smile on my face.   If for no other reason…just knowing that these two had found their perfect match.  Jen and Dan…thank you so much for giving me the chance to get to know you guys.  I had SO much fun with you and I hope you have the most amazing wedding in Aruba (so jealous!).

I heard the whistle from my phone letting me know I had a new text message.  I picked it up and didn’t recognize the number.  As I kept reading I realized it was Robby.  He was texting to let me know that he had a surprise gift for Erin that he wanted to give her during their session.  Just a little something to make their photos even more special (insert sigh for adorableness).

We planned out the perfect moment and as I watched him hand her the card he had so cleverly hidden in his back…I could just see it.  His eyes never left her and he just watched as she carefully read the words he had written.  The look on his face was unmistakable.  It was the kind of look that promises he will spend forever surprising her with love letters and tiny boxes wrapped up with bows.  The kind of look that screams…you’re all I need.  As he leaned down and kissed her shoulder…I silently hoped that these photos would portray the love that was in front of me.   The timeless love they have for each other.  Because it’s as real as it gets…

We were in the middle of France…cooling off in the ocean when a random stranger walked up to us and introduced himself.  When you’re backpacking through Europe, it’s not strange to make random friends along the way.  People from all over the world would quickly become your best friends.  As we stood in the ocean…talking about where we were from and where we were headed he quickly became one of those friends.  We met up at a local bar later that night and before we knew it we were traveling through France together…having the time of our lives.  Sid and I (my backpack through Europe buddy) loved all the friends we were making and Tyler was no different.  What we didn’t know was that Tyler wasn’t just going to be someone we randomly met on the beaches of France…but that he would turn into a life-long friend.

As we parted ways…like most people we met…we figured we would never see him again.  Maybe keep in touch with Facebook but we all knew that would fade.  Fast froward a few months and we get an email that Tyler is moving to Chicago for work and in life’s true, crazy fashion we were once again running into each other somewhere unexpected.  Grabbing drinks at a local bar…except this time we were home.  Five years later and Tyler is one of our best friends.  Someone we still sit around with and laugh about how crazy it is that life led us all here.

When Tyler met Ashly I just knew.  In the nicest way possible…Tyler was picky.  VERY picky.  I tried for so many years to wrap my head around this perfect girl he had in his head but I was convinced she didn’t exist.  Until I met Ashly.  They fit together so perfectly.  He’s funny and she laughs at all his jokes.  She’s a dreamer and he pushes her towards going after every one.  They believe in each other and what lies ahead and I couldn’t be happier for them.  When I think about bumping into Tyler in France to life now…I know this is how it was supposed to happen.  That my life was meant to have him in it.  And I know Ashly was meant to be the one by his side.

From the beaches of France to engagement photos in the city…Ashly and Tyler…

I officially would like to shoot every session at sunrise.  The light was amazing.