They’d been dancing around the idea for a couple years. Seeing each other in the same social circles, even attending the same college. “I had my eye on her for awhile,” Mike told me during their engagement session. And how could you not? Bridget is smart, tall and beautiful. I was delighted when she contacted me about shooting her wedding. I went to school with her older sister. And now, well… I feel old, old, old but completely honored.

I love these two together. They are just perfect. Not afraid of the camera at all, free, fun-loving and down to earth. I had an absolute blast hanging out with Bridget and Mike. Even a little cold and wind couldn’t keep them from smiling. It’s an honor when I get to photograph friends from my past who I’ve reconnected with. It feels like my little wish for a successful business is happening. It all feels ‘full circle‘ when people from my hometown trust me enough to document milestones in their life. I know it sounds sappy, but it’s really the best gift a photographer can ask for. Well that and an 85mm 1.2….

We started along the river being the JW Marriott. It was a little windy and cold, but totally worth it.

We headed inside the hotel to warm up and hang out on the stairs.

What I love most about Bridget and Mike is their ability to just be. Be in the moment. Be with each other. They just simply work together.

We found this empty sofa upstairs at the JW and I asked them to sit down and talk to each other. There was a skylight to the left of them and I used the ambient light plus a little fill flash to light them. I loved the way the orange popped out from the background. At first I was worried it would create a color cast, but the fill flash fixed this. I moved around them so I could get the lights in the background to stand out. (f/3.5 @60 sec 400 iso 24-70mm lens at 70mm)

Next it was back outside to the “Blue Bridge” as we call it in GR. Bridget randomly started dancing and Mike followed. Love!

And no, I totally did not tell them to do that with their arms. They are just that stinking cute!

What I can’t get over in this image (and I didn’t even notice when shooting) was how Mike has his hand over his heart in the left image. And the way he’s looking at Bridget, OMG I about melted when I saw this while editing!

So much love to Bridget and Mike. I can’t wait for their wedding in July!