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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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Gallery images

A Skyline Drive Fall Virginia Mountain Engagement

What a romantic evening! The sky showed off for Olivia and Marshall’s Skyline Drive Virginia mountain engagement session! And their sweet laughs/smiles lit up the photos more. <3 I appreciated them driving from the DC metro area for these portraits in the mountains. Shenandoah Mountain photos are some of my favorite sessions in Virginia! Talk […]

Miles, Elizabeth, and I met one morning in Washington DC to document this sweet engagement season that seems to fly by. They were excited to have their portraits taken in a meaningful place to them! I love it when couples incorporate their favorite sports team too (as you’ll see at the end of this blog […]

David & Michelle | Skyline Drive, Virginia Engagement

While Michelle and David are waiting for their big day next fall, we celebrated their engagement by taking photos on Skyline Drive in Virginia! It was a beautiful evening on top of the mountains! And it was my first time meeting them in person — They were just as sweet as on the phone! Michelle […]

Nick & Julianne | Bears Den Bluemont, Virginia Engagement

When I spoke to Nick and Julianne about a meaningful location for their portraits, the Reston Towncenter came up. After all, they live in Reston, and Nick proposed there. 🙂 So we planned to take photos around the town and their home with their pup! But about a month before their portraits, Julianne reached out […]

Ryan and Paige woke up early to make this session happen — But they made it look like a piece of cake! Months ago, we talked about a backdrop for their engagement session, and the Washington DC monument “row” came up. I like to call it a “row” because there are so many iconic landmarks in […]

Ryan & Kelsey | Old Town Alexandria, Virginia Engagement Photos

Oh, the way these two look at each other. <3 I love looking through these photos from Ryan and Kelsey’s Old Town Alexandria engagement portraits! It seemed suitable to have their portraits taken here since they live in this charming town. Old Town Alexandria is known for its cobblestone streets, brickwork, history, waterfront area, southern […]

Rocky Mountain National Park Wedding Photos

Just hours before their flight back to the east coast, James and Claire woke up early to take some photos in the sunshine! If you saw their dreamy Dream Lake wedding photos from the day before, we didn’t even have the chance to change into Claire’s traditional attire because of the frigid temps! By the […]

Dream Lake, Colorado Wedding Photos

James and Claire flew from the east coast (do you recognize them from their Chincoteague Beach session?) and were surprised to find that spring in Colorado really meant SNOW at Dream Lake for their wedding photos. And to be honest, I expected snow on the ground, but I was not expecting a snowstorm during their portraits, […]

James & Claire | Chincoteague Island, Virginia Beach Engagement Portraits

To enjoy the beach (if you live in Virginia) might mean driving to Virginia Beach, OBX, Myrtle Beach, or Delaware (all popular choices). But one of my favorite beaches is Chincoteague (Assateague) Island in Virginia, and I loved that James and Claire wanted their portraits there! When I was younger, my Girl Scout troop would […]

Wine & Nosh at Spruce Mountain Ranch is organized by the incredible Sarah Viera Events and the talented Southern Charm. This bridal show is an intimate boutique experience for couples. And unlike typical bridal shows (which can be overwhelming and feel very salesman-like) Wine & Nosh is an upscale, curated vendor team with the heart to serve couples […]

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

find inspiration

Gallery images