Kelly & Brian’s Engagement | McClaughrey Springs Woods | Palos Heights Photographer

Words are seeming to fall short in describing these last 3.5 months. “Amazing” doesn’t quite seem to do it justice. I’ve traveled 9200 miles in my car, been through 14 states, seen cornfields, mountains, canyons, deserts, beaches, and Redwoods. I’ve witnessed breathtaking sunsets, life-threatening storms, and awe-inspiring coastlines. I’ve reconnected with old friends and made some new ones, while plugging into all the micro-cultures that the beach and mountain towns along the way. For all of this, I’m grateful. It has been a truly life altering experience and one that I hope to expand on in a later post.

As I carry these experiences with me into the busy months of weddings and engagements before me, there’s a renewed creative vision and inspiration. I’d like to say that I’m bursting with with creative juices all day, every day. That would be nice. But if I told you that, it would be a lie. Like any artist, there is an ebb and flow to my creative inspiration. Right now, however, my inspiration cup is brimming, and I’m as eager as ever to pour it into the couples that I have the honor of working with this summer.

I recently returned from Savannah, GA where I kicked off wedding season with a beautiful southern wedding I had the opportunity to shoot with one of my close friends. They’re onto something with that whole southern hospitality thing, and as far as ceremony locations are concerned, it doesn’t get much better than a quaint little white church surrounded by towering oak trees laced in Spanish moss. With wedding season underway, these past few weeks have also been full of engagement sessions. I’m anxious to share them all, but especially excited to get things started with Kelly and Brian’s engagement. All those who know Kelly and Brian know how fun, genuine, and gracious of a couple they are. I have been so fortunate to work with so many amazing people and it’s always such a privilege to have friends ask me to capture such a significant day in their lives. I can’t wait for their wedding in a couple of months!