Will is here! 

Our sweet baby arrived March 5th, and we couldn’t be more in love! I know the blog has taken a nice, long hiatus since the fall, but I wanted to really soak in the end of the pregnancy and the first month or two with our little family. These precious days of them being this tiny go by so fast! 

I know it’s going to be a little crazy trying to get back in the swing of things with our full-speed toddler and now adding a newborn into the mix, so I very much appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as I work to get things updated in our new normal! :)

Can’t wait to get back to shooting and sharing more sessions soon! 

Warmoth Family Session - Botanic Gardens, Stillwater, OK

With my fall mini sessions around the corner, I wanted to share a fun, beautiful family session from last fall on the blog! 

The colors we had at the Botanic Gardens last fall were nothing short of extraordinary, and I can’t wait to see what this year brings! I couldn’t believe how gorgeous those mustard yellow leaves were, alongside the oranges, greens, and perfect pop of maroon from their outfits. It was a photographer’s dream.

Then, to top it off, this family is just the best! We’ve been friends for several years now, and I love the way all the kids (I feel like I can barely call the girls “kids” anymore with all their graduating and being in college and whatnot!) have such a blast posing together. I’ve done sessions of a couple families recently that each had four children, and it’s one of my favorite things to get individual photos of each kid, along with every sibling combination. I feel like doing some of those pairings (as opposed to every shot of the kids containing all four siblings) can make such cute options and give better variety when building a gallery wall in a house. 

I hope you enjoyed this look back at last fall, and if you’d like to grab a mini session in Stillwater, they’re coming up soon! You can see the sign up here to get all the details: Fall 2018 Mini Sessions

Mary & Derek, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Stillwater, Oklahoma - Part One

From the first time I met with Derek and Mary, I knew that this would be a wonderful wedding day. When we got together for coffee, Mary was a little bit shy and quiet, and Derek was a little more talkative and rambunctious, yet they balanced each other well. Throughout the meeting, their love for one another was visible in sweet and subtle ways, and they joked about falling in love, becoming “real” adults, and wedding planning.

In addition to how great of a couple they were, I was even more excited for their big day when I found out I would get to capture photos in the new, gorgeous Catholic church in Stillwater! I watched its construction over the past couple years and have been so anxious to see inside. It did not disappoint! The light coming through the windows around the sanctuary was simply dreamy, and the building as a whole was really remarkable.

After the ceremony, the new Mr. and Mrs. Rayner got to enjoy their reception with family and friends!

To head to Part Two, click here.

Mary & Derek, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Stillwater, Oklahoma - Part Two

If you missed Part One, check it out here!

After taking some family portraits, Mary and Derek headed into their reception! They shared a sweet first dance, and were soon surrounded by friends and family who shared their excitement over the couple’s big day. A delicious dinner was provided by Freddie Paul’s, followed by a beautiful cake by I Think So! Cupcakes and tasty donuts from Krispy Kreme!  

Seriously - I’ve said this before, but breakfast food is the best. Have any sort of breakfast item at your wedding and it’s a win (particularly in my book). 

We wanted to take a few more group photos with extended family while in the reception, and I loved this one shot I snagged while we were waiting for the whole group to assemble for the photo. Mary and Derek are surrounded by commotion and people moving every which way, but they just stood still for a moment to hug each other and laugh together while they waited. Photos like those are a very accurate reflection to me of a wedding day - there’s always a little chaos, but in the midst of it, the bride and groom looking at each other and seeing the person that they’ll get to be with forever. 

I’m so grateful to Derek and Mary for having me as their photographer, and I know they’re going to have such a beautiful marriage from this point on!