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

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October 21, 2014

Toby & Jenn| Delaplane, Virginia Park + Winery Engagement Photographer

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dog run around SO fast consistently for an hour! Who would have thought a small dog could have so much energy?! Well, I guess small dog owners get that. I grew up with a large dog, so all I could do the entire session was laugh! Myla had a playground all to herself and she was EXCITED to say the least! You will see her below throughout the shots running around in the background. Little photo bomber! 😉

Toby, Jenn and I met for the first time at Sky Meadows Park and as the session went on, I could not help but notice by how cute they are together! The way Toby wrapped his hand around her cheek to bring her in for a kiss was just heartwarming! Loved documenting these sweet moments for their engagement and can only imagine what their wedding day will be like! 🙂

late_august

Toby & Jenn’s Love Story

Toby and Jenn met two years ago at an outdoor Oktoberfest festival.  Toby started teasing Jenn right away, telling her that he was a Hollywood actor and pulling up a picture of his doppleganger.  Jenn wouldn’t have any of it ….and dished out some of her own sarcasm and jokes.  They shared a few more laughs and Toby was hooked.  He called her his “favorite” right away.  Jenn was skeptical.   But luckily …. Toby was a man on a mission.  He spent the rest of the day asking Jenn’s best friend for advice on how to get Jenn to go out with him.  Totally clueless to the fact that her best friend was giving Toby “hints,” Jenn was flattered by Toby’s persistence and doing all the right things and agreed to a first date.

Toby was a complete gentleman on their first date.  He wined and dined Jenn at one of his favorite (and now one of Jenn’s favorite) DC restaurants.  Their second date was amazing.  It was 9 hours long – they watched football together, walked around the neighborhood, and enjoyed food/drink tastings at local restaurants.  There was an obvious connection and in just a few weeks they were exclusively dating, and in 1.5 years they were engaged.

The proposal was perfect.  Knowing that two of Jenn’s favorite things are the beach and her dog, Myla, Toby decided to incorporate both into the proposal.  While on the beach, and when Jenn wasn’t looking, he slipped the ring on her dog’s collar.  When Jenn discovered the ring, he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him.  After she said “yes”, they went back to the beach house to celebrate and have champagne with her parents.

The three of them (Toby, Jenn, and the dog) are happily living together, enjoying every moment of their engagement bliss and looking forward to what the future has in store.  🙂

late_august

Thanks Toby and Jenn for an amazing session!!! Could not have imagined a more ideal day for your portraits! 🙂 Enjoy some of my favorites!!! xoxo

toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-5_webtoby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-8_webMeet their little ball of energy, Myla! And this is what she looked like the entire session … running around us! Haha 🙂
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-4_webI want to photograph in this lighting every time I have a session! PLEASE!
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-9_webCute family! 🙂
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-13_webtoby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-11_webDon’t you love Myla running behind them? Adorable!!!
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-17_webtoby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-20_webAwww! 🙂
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-25_webtoby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-26_webtoby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-29_webLOVE LOVE LOVE!
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-30_webtoby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-32_webFall is HERE!
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-34_webtoby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-35_webtoby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-36_webBeautiful!
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-40_webGreat job Toby!!!
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-49_webtoby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-38_webBeautiful view!
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-50_webI am OBSESSED with her Anthropologie rose skirt! Seriously, I’m join got find this! 🙂
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-51_webtoby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-55_webtoby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-56_web

Amazing sunset to end the session!!! 🙂
toby_jennifer_sky_meadows_park_barrel_oak_winery_virginia_engagement-54_web

Cannot wait for your summer wedding next year!!! 🙂

  1. Beautiful, Stephanie! I love the colors in these images! xoxo!

  2. Jayne Maguire Merrill says:

    Congratulations! What beautiful engagement photos! You must be OH so excited. fondly, J