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

@stephaniemessickphoto

find inspiration

Gallery images

July 15, 2014

Dustin & Brooke | DC + Alexandria Engagement Photographer

Dustin, Brooke and Brookes mom first met me in my office space months ago and I immediately fell in love with this bunch! Maybe it was the fact that they were excited to see Pixie? 😉 I could chat with them for hours and lose track of time easily! Dustin and Brooke have such a sweet young love. Don’t believe me? Read their love story below, watch their proposal video and look through the photos! Haha! I absolutely adore them!!! Brooke is his princess. A dream come true. What girl doesn’t want to feel this way?! In return, Dustin is Brooke’s prince charming who makes her smile continuously. I can only imagine the excitement and happiness that will happen on their special day as they are ready to embark on this journey together as husband and wife!!

late_august

Dustin & Brooke’s Love Story from Brooke’s perspective

How we met:  Dustin and I met at a mutual friend’s graduation party the summer of 2012. It all goes back to when I was running music in the sound booth for the party but the real conversation started outside over a game of cornhole! At first it was hard to figure out if he was flirting with me or just being nice so I wasn’t really sure what to do with him. Haha! Later that night I was about to drive back to our friend’s house but I wasn’t sure how to get there so Kelsey, my friend’s sister, and Dustin’s sister, Bre, wanted to ride along with me. I was more than happy than happy to have them both ride with me but since Bre’s parents weren’t around I had her ask her Dustin if it was okay. He gave her permission but as we were leaving he made a joke about how he had to “drive there all alone.” I answered sarcastically, “Well, you can always ride with me too!” but to my surprise he took me up on my offer! We arrived at the house early and without a key so we sat in the car talking about life and about music. We realized how much we had in common and I realized that I was starting to like this guy! We started to date a month later and then we did long-distance for a year! Now we are both in Texas and enjoying every moment we have together.

 The Proposal: My sister, Siera, was turning 16 on February 5th. I was still attending school in Texas so my family decided to fly me home as a surprise for her! Sadly Dustin wasn’t able to come with me (or so I thought). As I was on a plane flying home to Alexandria, Dustin was on a plane flying home to West Virginia! We had a family dinner to celebrate Siera’s birthday but the next day was full of surprises for her! My Mom, Siera, and I were planning to spend the night in Pittsburgh and see the musical ‘Wicked’ but first we had a surprise birthday for an older gentleman that attended the church I grew up in. As we pulled up to the church and walked in my mom asked for my coat, glasses and purse. I thought she was being nice but then I heard the music. My mom pointed toward the center aisle doors that were propped open. I took a step and said, “No! No! Not today!” because I was in shock!! They were able to pull it over on me!! As I walked down the center aisle of the church I grew up in I admired the candles that lined the walkway. I saw Dustin sitting on a stool with his guitar at the end of the aisle singing a song for me. Once I reached the end Dustin came off of the stool and walked to where I was standing. He read me a letter and then got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! I said yes, he put the ring on my finger but that wasn’t the end. He ran out and said that he would be right back. All the sudden I see my little brother run in, then his little brother and soon both of our families were standing with us. We then prayed for the first time as a family and celebrated together as well!

late_august

Want to watch this SUPER sweet teary eyed proposal video?! I loveeeeeeeee this!!!! Made me tear up watching it!

Thank you Dustin & Brooke for traveling around through the traffic to make this session work out … especially braving the weather as they were calling for thunderstorms! 🙂 Cannot WAIT for your wedding day in May 2015!!! xoxo

dustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-1_webYou’re beautiful Brooke! dustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-3_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-6_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-8_webLove! dustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-9_webLove how he makes me smile. 🙂

dustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-13_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-18_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-19_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-20_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-22_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-28_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-31_webLove the colors! dustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-35_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-37_web🙂 dustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-41_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-42_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-47_webSO sweet! dustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-50_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-51_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-58_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-61_webLove this right shot! dustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-65_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-66_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-68_webdustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-73_webPerfect ending! dustin_brooke_dc_alexandria_engagement-74_web

CONGRATS on your engagement and I cannot wait for photograph your big day! xoxo

  1. Ruth Frazier says:

    May God bless you always on your journey to a new life together.

    The Frazier Family wish you all the happiness and blessings

  2. Barbara Cumbo says:

    Congratulations.