Ryan & Paige | Burke Lake Park, Fairfax, Virginia Engagement Photographer

Months ago, I ran across Paiges’ sweet parents and they were SO excited that their daughter was about to have the “Will you marry me” question popped!! Right after the proposal happened, they reached out to me with the exciting news that Paige said ‘YES!’ and they were having a winter wedding! I was excited for them and could hardly wait to photograph Ryan and Paige’s happiness! And GOSH! Talk about JOY and love!!! If these photos aren’t evident, I don’t know what is! Haha!

After briefly chatting over the phone how Ryan and Paige met and how he proposed to her, it was clear how God brought them together with a purpose! He doesn’t do anything without a purpose, after all. 🙂 We had planned to get together and photograph their engagement session at a very sentimental spot. There is a church in Paige’s neighborhood where Ryan first told her he loved her as well as where he popped the big question! I love locations that hold meaning, so it was an obvious destination! Just around the corner was the beautiful Burke Lake Park with a variety of scenery between the lake and the fields! After planning for months, we got together yesterday evening (yes, I was able to get their photos up this morning!!!) to photograph their engagement session! Gosh, I felt as though I was photographing MODELS! They are so photogenic, and their love was so easy to document! 🙂 I also adore their love for the Lord and keeping Him centered in their relationship! “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) So true!!! Our joy and love come from within, which is stemmed from Him. These two have ‘allota’ love not just for each other, but for everyone who surrounds them! <3 Just meeting Paige’s parents, I can clearly see how much family means to them. I know that Ryan and Paige’s wedding is going to be a very special celebration for everyone. 🙂 Cannot wait to photograph their sweet smiles and laughs this December!

Ryan & Paige’s Love Story

How Ryan and Paige Met
from Ryan’s perspective

When in Rome… Meet your future wife? Believe it or not, Paige and I met while on a mission trip to Rome. Aside from sharing amazing food together, we got to know each other while doing what we love the most – serving God. Over the next few months we grew to be close friends, and I soon realized that there was no one like Paige in the entire world. As Paige went back to school, we got to know each other on a deep level through letters and phone calls, and I grew to love her deeper than I ever thought possible. I first called her my mission partner, and have since called her friend, girlfriend, and now best friend and fiancé. Words can’t express how thankful I am that in a few months, Lord willing, I’ll be able to call her my wife.

How Ryan Proposed to Paige
from Paige’s perspective

Ryan and I were supposed to go out to dinner that evening. He sent me a message saying he had arrived at my house and when I opened the door all I saw was a rolled up map. When I opened it I saw a treasure map leading to a spot behind my house. I knew this was the spot where he told me he loved me and we had shared many precious memories. As I left my house and came across each treasure I was reminded of phases of our relationship. Each phase had memories to go along with it. As I walked across the field behind my house, I walked through a path of rose pedals and memories. I got more and more emotional along the way. My heart was pounding. The last thing I encountered was a romantic spot on the field with a picnic blanket and the final treasure box. When I opened it I saw “engagement phase.” My heart DROPPED. I looked up and saw Ryan walking toward me. He got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. I was crying and could not believe this was happening. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him serving the Lord together.

Thank you, Ryan and Paige, for having me document your portraits at a very special and dear place. <3 I had the best time getting to know you two better during your session, and I appreciated your outgoing, genuine, lovely personalities!!! You two are gems, and I’m so happy this time has come for you. Enjoy this preview from our time together!!! CONGRATS! XOXO!