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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October 5, 2018

Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer

Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer

Not only is fall is in the air (maybe not necessarily on this hot October day) … But for this blog post, LOVE is DEFINITELY in the air!! Looking through these photos may appear like young love, but they have built a beautiful friendship over the years as the foundation to their future. From the moment I met them, I knew there was something so refreshing about their vibe. During their engagement session, it was clear that these two were meant to find each other! <3 They weren’t afraid to be silly, playful, and flirtatious towards each other and the camera. I could tell that they weren’t putting on a show for the camera, but instead, they are genuinely head over heels in love for each other!!! Photographing their inspiring love and bond fueled my passion for what I do! I can hardly wait for their wedding day next spring at the beautiful Oatlands Historic House and Gardens! 🙂

When Kevin and Briana first pulled up to Sky Meadows State Park in Delaplane, VA, Kevin admitted that he didn’t like having his photo taken. I accepted the challenge and was determined to change his mind! 🙂 I think most men think that photos can be super fake and staged … And sure, they can be depending on the type of photographer someone hires (editorial/fashion vs. candid/documentary style). I help guide my couples into flattering poses, but I I cannot stage those heartfelt, candid photos that you see below! That is all them, and I LOVE that! <3 By the end of our time together, Kevin confessed that it was fun and not what he expected. 🙂 WIN! At one point of their session on Monday, I asked Kevin to grab Briana’s hand for a dance. Briana spoke up and said they do this in the kitchen … As if I didn’t love these two enough! I hope that practice dance in front of the camera has them ready for their first dance in less than a year!!! 😉 AH!

Kevin & Briana’s Love Story

How Kevin and Briana Met

Our story started in 2013 when we were both working at Buffalo Wild Wings. As it happens in the restaurant industry, we often found ourselves out late with friends enjoying the limited responsibility and abundance of free time one has in their early twenties. Our similar style of humor and love for a good time brought us closer, and we quickly realized we were more than just friends. We count ourselves as the rare lucky ones who found their “person” early. We’ve spent almost all of our twenties together, and with that got to experience all that that time period yields. During the last five and a half years we’ve built on this foundation and have fostered not only the most sincere love and respect for each other, but the deepest sense of friendship as well. We are constantly spouting off inside jokes, singing commercial jingles, competing for who loves the dog more, and trying to make each other laugh. Life with your best friend is just so much fun!

How Kevin Proposed to Briana

In April of 2018, Kevin needed to travel to Tampa for work and saw it as a great opportunity for a long-weekend trip for just the two of us. As Kevin closed out the week at work, I was able to lounge at the hotel pool indulging in my book and the sunshine. On Saturday, after a busy afternoon with his company’s sports competition, we went out for a romantic dinner. Kevin had made reservations at an amazing sea-side restaurant where we were seating literally on-top of the water, and where we could see a wedding taking place off in the distance (oh the foreshadowing!). After dinner, Kevin said he wanted to take me to this beach where you can see the airplanes take-off and land at the airport, one of my favorite things! We were walking along the beach when suddenly, a random guy asked if we would like our picture taken. After he had taken a picture with our phone’s camera, he asked if he could take a picture of us on his professional camera. I thought this was weird, but honestly didn’t have time to process what was about to happen. Once the guy put his camera up, I heard Kevin whisper “I love you baby” in my ear, and when I turned he was down on one knee telling me how much he loved me. I was so caught off guard, I actually kept yelling “shut up!” in disbelief. Once I wrapped my head around what happened, I yelled “yes!” and started to cry. After the initial moment, Kevin introduced me to the photographer who he had hired to set up the whole proposal. The photographer stayed around for another hour taking pictures of us in our newly-engaged-bliss!

Thank you, Kevin and Briana, for bringing so much light and joy into this session!!! I can tell that it is totally normal to catch you two laughing and smiling at each other. 🙂 Love that! I can only imagine what this means for your wedding day — Even more joy! Counting down the days until then!!! Congrats and enjoy this preview from our time together!! XOXO!

Makeup: Deija at the MAC store in Dulles  | Dress: Lulus

Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer Kevin & Briana | Sky Meadows State Park, Virginia Engagement Photographer

Congratulations!!!

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