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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March 17, 2016

Chris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement Photographer

Chris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement Photographer

It seemed like Chris, Natalie and I hit it off from the start! We didn’t have the chance to meet in person until the engagement session but just through our phone preliminary meeting, I felt as though we had been friends for years! That feeling didn’t change when I met them for the first time last week for their engagement session. 🙂 They are so down to earth, genuine, caring, loving and considerate. Not just towards me but towards each other which is always super photogenic! One thing we are super excited about is that I’ll be visiting O’ahu, Hawaii this June for a wedding and it turns out that Chris and Natalie are moving out there in April! Cannot wait for our adventures together this year, in and outside of VA!!!

I was in the midst of moving into my new house last week and thought how appropriate it was to take a breather and head to Richmond for one evening. I had a list that I could not keep up with but didn’t realize until I was in Richmond how much I needed that time away. It was so good for my creative juices, especially since they had chosen a couple of spots downtown that I have never visited. One of those spots they chose was the Historic Tredegar! We had a blast running around the ruins part of the building as it is very unique from where I typically photograph. Come to find out, my grandfather actually had one of his cannons made there at the Historic Tredegar! SO awesome!!!! 🙂 I loved checking out that little bit of history by the water, especially when it involves personal history! It wasn’t too soon after our excitement that we realized we were actually LOCKED IN!!!! I’m surprised that no one told us that the place was closing down, which is typically the case. We had to crawl under the gate to get out which was too funny since Chris and Natalie could not stop apologizing for the circumstances.  I personally thought it was hilarious! 😉 Cannot wait for more adventures with them!

CHRIS & NATALIE’S LOVE STORY

How we met story from Natalie:
I first met Chris when he was on a business trip with my uncle to Washington, D.C. They are both officers in the military and my uncle had opted to stay outside the city at my grandparent’s house. When I stopped by one evening during their trip, I was introduced to his very handsome aide, Chris, but they were on their way a few days later. I heard a few months later that Chris had been deployed to Afghanistan and my uncle moved on to a different position. Almost a year and a half later, my uncle was stationed at the Illinois border and had convinced Chris, back from his deployment, to work for him again. I was staying with my aunt and uncle at the time, and kept running into Chris at events. On Chris’s birthday, my uncle kept badgering us to talk to each other. Chris asked me to hang out that weekend, then made me dinner and I was smitten!
Proposal Story from Chris:
Knowing the holiday season was so special to Natalie, and that we were going to be seeing friends and family in Washington D.C., and Boston I knew it was the perfect time after spending months finding the perfect ring! We planned to exchange gifts Christmas Eve morning in Richmond before heading north to D.C. After tearing through wrapping paper, Natalie sat a little somber knowing another Holiday was almost over. To beat the traffic, I hurried her to pack a suitcase so we could hit the road. While she was in the bedroom, I hung the ring in a gift box on our tree like an ornament. Yelling to another room, I insisted she had somehow missed a gift and she needed to open it before we left! Just as she opened the box, I got down on one knee, and asked her to marry me. Natalie was speechless and cried, but she eventually said yes!
THANK YOU Chris and Natalie for a great time venturing around Richmond! I had the best time getting to know you both and cannot wait to see you throughout the year! Enjoy some of my personal favorites! XOXO!
Chris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement Photographer
Oh yessss … THIS definitely happened! LOL!
Chris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement PhotographerChris & Natalie | Downtown Richmond, Virginia Engagement Photographer
  1. […] wasn’t that long ago since Chris, Natalie and I met up in downtown Richmond, VA for engagement portraits. I remember it was a little chaotic because I was in the midst of moving but it was nice to get […]

  2. […] reconnected through the wedding planning/moving process, especially once Beth Ann realized that Natalie was one of my 2016 brides! So cool! They know the next time I visit, girls hang out is a must! 😉 I […]