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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November 17, 2020

Alex & Lu | Washington DC Engagement Photographer

Alex & Lu | Washington DC Engagement Photographer

It may have been a very foggy morning in Washington, DC, and as Alex and Lu’s engagement photographer, I hoped for a beautiful sunrise for them! But that October week seemed to be foggy every morning, and because our time was a little limited, we went for it and made the best of the time we had together! 🙂 And thanks to Alex and Lu, they made the session bright and beautiful!!! I couldn’t believe they pulled it off after getting up at 3 a.m. to have hair/makeup done!!! I need to know their beauty secrets. 😉 HAHA! I definitely had to sport coffee and sunglasses after their session was done because I was not pulling off the early-riser look. 😉 

I loved the classic style they brought to their engagement session! Alex and Lu’s clothing complimented the “DC look” so well, especially the pink flowy dress with the Lincoln Memorial!! 🙂 It was the perfect feminine pop against the iconic white columns. I’m so glad we took advantage of our time around the Lincoln Memorial because it’s a very special place for Alex and Lu. I won’t spoil their love story, but you’ll have to read the significance below!! 🙂

Alex & Lu | Washington DC Engagement Photographer

Alex & Lu’s Love Story

HOW ALEX & LU MET

from Lu’s perspective

Alex and I met on the dating app Coffee Meets Bagel in April 2017. It was my first time using any dating apps, and I just wanted to see how it worked. I wasn’t very serious about it and didn’t think I could find my life partner. So while I was swiping through the app one day and found Alex’s profile. I saw his pictures and was immediately attracted!! My first thought was that I would like to meet him… Lol! So after I liked his profile on the app, he liked me back, and we were matched!!!

After a few days, we started talking online, and Alex texted me to ask if I wanted to go out to dinner together. I said, “YES!” I was so excited to meet him! We met at Founding Farmers Tysons and talked for a few hours. He was very nice and offered to drive me, so we decided to hang out together a few days later after our first date. We went to DC, walked around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and had our first kiss. Hahaha! 🙂

HOW ALEX PROPOSED TO LU

from Lu’s perspective

At the beginning of this year, Alex and I went to the Tysons Corner Center. When we passed the Blue Nile, he suddenly said, let’s go take a look at rings! It was during the holiday season, and many people were in the store. When he said that, I was a little shocked and wasn’t ready. I said no, next time we can look. 😉 LOL! After shopping, I realized he was going to propose to me!

I told him I wanted to choose the engagement ring by myself. Haha! When we got home, he showed me he did a lot of work and research online, and after that, we decided to choose an engagement ring in the store together. It was a special order, and one month later, Alex picked it up and put on my finger! 🙂 A lot of memories came up. No matter how’s life going on, he will be forever on my side, and we will have a lot of adventures to explore!

THANK YOU!

Thank you, Alex and Lu, for bearing through the foggy conditions to make these photos happen!!! 🙂 You two looked so beautiful, despite the 3AM wake up call! I can only imagine how beautiful your wedding day will be!!! 🙂 And may you be blessed with beautiful weather in June! <3 Thank you for having me photograph these portraits for you!!

Hair & Makeup: Best Face Forward

Stephanie Messick Photography, LLC is a Florida Panhandle Beach Family, Wedding, and Engagement Photographer, also serving Washington DC, Northern + Central Virginia. Learn more HERE or contact her HERE and ask about the Destin, Florida Portrait Photographer Special if you’re visiting! Or contact her for information when she will be in Virginia for weddings/sessions!

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