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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November 5, 2014

Matt & Nicole | Downtown Staunton + Grey Gables Farm, Virginia Photographer

Oh how I adore Matt and Nicole! Not just because they are JMU Alumni! 😉 GO DUKESSSSS! It’s obvious how much they love each other especially when looking through their photos! I had the best time getting to know them as a couple and I know that God brought these two together for a reason. I can just tell from the short time knowing them that they bring happiness and joy into peoples lives. Their contagious smile and laugh can brighten anyone’s day! 🙂

We met in downtown Staunton where Matt works at the cute Mary Baldwin College. It’s MUCH smaller than JMU, but I love how cozy it is sitting on the side of a mountain. We put our calf muscles to work and found great spots overlooking the mountains in the distance. Matt then mentioned that the college is known for great calf muscles. 😉 Haha! I loved how willing they were to jump into a little area of tall grass! I’m not kidding, that grass wasn’t easy to get through but it was SO worth it! After finishing up our time at Mary Baldwin, we took off to the beautiful Grey Gables Farm in Swoope, VA! The lovely Paulyn met us at the barn and immediately took us up to the breathtaking overlook! What a perfect ending to the session! After we hugged and said our goodbyes, I spent my 2 hour drive home emptying out my shoes full of tall grass, pricklers and random stuff. Hey, sometimes that is what it takes! 😉 Haha!

late_augustMatt & Nicole’s Love Story
from Matt’s perspective

In January of 2010, Nicole and I met at James Madison University in a dining hall “by accident” through the forgetfulness and, yet, initiative of a mutual friend.  I was in my Sophomore year and Nicole was a Freshman.  We began spending a considerable amount of time together playing Wallyball, watching movies, going out to eat, and hanging out by Dukes. I finally asked her to be my girlfriend on May 23rd, after I met her family in Mechanicsville, VA.  We spent the next two years at JMU, spending time together whenever we wanted, until I graduated in 2012. Our relationship became long distance when I began pursuing my Master’s Degree at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.  For two years, we each made the 5 and a half-hour trip to visit one another.  In the summer following graduation, however, both of us had had enough!  And so, on June 29th I asked Nicole to be my wife in front of a fountain at Busch Gardens despite several obstacles (including a bomb threat!).  I surmised that this would be my only opportunity before she began her Doctoral program that she would not suspect.  Once the question-and the ring-was out, she did not react in the way I would have expected. Nicole has a rather loud and outgoing personality, but she did not say much and seemed rather disoriented. She was in shock. So I had been right and succeeded in surprising her! Not until she called her best friend did the tears begin.  The initial “yes-probably” quickly became a confident “yes” after she was assured of the reality that was occurring in front of her. Nicole and I are excited to become husband and wife on August 16th, 2015.
late_augustThank you Matt & Nicole for a wonderful time running around Staunton and the beautiful Grey Gables Farm!!! Cannot WAIT for your summer wedding! Enjoy some of my favorites!!! xoxo

matt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-1_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-6_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-7_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-9_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-46_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-10_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-12_webThese fall colors … OMGOSH!
matt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-17_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-20_webLook at their smiles! 🙂 So sweet!
matt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-22_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-26_webI LOVE this lighting!
matt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-30_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-32_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-34_web🙂 !!!!
matt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-35_webOne of my favorites … well, I have MANY favorites!
matt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-39_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-44_webmatt_nicole_staunton_virginia_grey_gables_farm_engagement_photographer-45_webOff to the beautiful Grey Gables Farm! 🙂
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Look how she looks at him. 🙂 SO adorable!!!
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LOVEEEEEE!
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Thank you Matt and Nicole for an incredible time last Thursday!!! Looking forward to your big day next year! xoxo

  1. […] photographing an incredible Saturday wedding, I was really pumped for Sunday! I was reminiscing Matt and Nicole’s engagement photos on the way to their wedding  and could not help but get excited! I remember falling in love with […]