I’m Stephanie, a wedding + lifestyle photographer based in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Warrenton, Virginia. Whether I’m by the mountains of Colorado or Virginia, my soul feels at home, surrounded by rural living and the raw beauty of nature. I genuinely love what I do, and feel so passionate to share the enthusiasm and joy of these celebrations with you!

DOCUMENTING LOVE'S UNSCRIPTED CHAPTERS FROM COUPLES & FAMILIES IN COLORADO + VIRGINIA

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February 26, 2014

Evan & Ally | State Capitol, Virginia Engagement Photographer

Evan and Ally. Together, they are silly, sweet, genuine and so in love. And I glance through my couples of 2014 and realized that I have attracted that kind of bride. 🙂 I’m soooo about it! We met at Maymont Park in downtown Richmond before the park closed and finished up at the State Capitol in Richmond where it was the perfect way to top off the evening! They even brought along their adorable pup, Teddy, for some photos and I was SO impressed by him! He is a dog model waiting for his moment … he definitely got it! After taking photos on the stairs, Ally’s mom was chatting with a Police Officer and coincidentally it was the exact officer, you will read below, who ran their IDs! So of course we had to get a shot with him. So funny how stories will circle back around!

I have to say when they told me about how they got engaged, my jaw dropped and could not help but to laugh from the situation! What an unforgettable way to celebrate saying “YES”! Lol! Here’s their story below. 🙂

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Evan & Ally’s Love Story
from Ally’s perspective

Evan and I knew each other through high school and college, but we weren’t really friends. It was May 31, Evan’s birthday. I was on Facebook and decided to wish him a happy birthday. Little did I know that one post would turn into a Facebook convo which would lead to text messages, then phone calls and finally a first meeting. It all kind of went from there. 

Since we have been dating, I have always requested clues for gifts… Call it the kid in me, the anticipation is just too exciting! 

This Christmas was no different. Every Thursday I would request another clue. So far I had collected the following: (1) geometric wonder (2) he kind of made it (3) very hands-on. I had a theory in mind and I hoped I was correct. Never did I expect to receive it when I did! It was Thursday, December 5 and I was so looking forward to seeing Evan. That week had been MISERABLE. I got there, anxious for a date night. We decided on Europa for dinner since I had a Groupon that was about to expire. On the drive to Downtown Richmond, Evan asked if I would like to go visit the Capital after dinner. It had rained, but was a pretty, December night. I had never seen it, so I said, “Sure, why not.” After dinner we parked the car close to the Capital and got out to take a little moonlight tour. There were barricades to the front steps and signs posted “NO PEDESTRIANS” because they were setting up for inauguration. Evan, of course, started walking around the barricades. I stopped him and said, “Whoa, we are not suppose to go there.” And he replies, “What is the worst that will happen, they will tell us to leave?” He later realized he had put his foot in his mouth…

We are standing in front of the steps, hugging and admiring the view. I was still awaiting my Thursday night clue. Then all of a sudden, Evan said, “Your clue is,” as he got down on one knee, “Will you marry me?” I was happy, shocked and shaking. All I could do was hug him again and let out a sniffly, “Yes,” into his chest. We enjoyed the moment for only a moment before we were “greeted” by two police officers. They asked why we were up there, didn’t we see that it was blocked. I quickly replied, we just got engaged. One of the officers said and brief congrats and asked for our drivers licenses. After running a check to make sure we were good kids, they wish us another congratulations and told us not to return. 

I tease Evan and say I will never forget that night, to which he replies, “I would hope not.”  

late_august
Thank you both for a wonderful time in downtown Richmond! Such a pleasure getting to know you both and REALLY looking forward to your August wedding! Enjoy the preview of your engagement session! xoxo

2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-2_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-10_webAlly, you are stunning!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-8_web
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-11_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-12_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-15_webCute!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-16_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-18_webAwww <3
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-21_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-22_webCannot tell you how much I LOVE this.
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-24_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-29_webLOVE!!!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-31_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-33_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-36_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-37_webGorgeous!!!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-40_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-41_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-43_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-45_webOne of MANY favorites!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-46_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-50_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-51_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-53_webThis is really adorable. 🙂
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-55_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-49_web
Love!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-59_webTeddy is soooo precious!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-60_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-63_webCute!!!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-64_webHer black dress against the white Capitol Building was the perfect choice! So classy!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-69_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-70_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-73_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-75_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-76_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-79_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-83_webOH My GOSH this made me laugh so hard seeing this photo of Ted running to his mamma!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-85_web2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-86_webGosh, you two are adorable!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-87_webSporting the VT spirit! 🙂 Even Ted!
2014-02-23_Evan_Ally_richmond_capitol_engagement_photographer-90_web

Thank you all for an AMAZING time!!! Cannot wait to see you all again! xoxo

  1. Elle says:

    These are gorgeous Stephanie. Phenomenal job! I love her shoes!

  2. Shannon Shaughnessy says:

    Oh my goodness. I’m dying over this polka dot dress, any idea where she got it from???

  3. Ally says:

    Thank you all for your compliments! The dress is from Betsey Johnson.