James + Kimmie

A few weeks ago, on their trip home to visit Oregon, James and Kimmie invited me to take portraits of their little family and baby-to-be. Kimmie is the essence of a glowing momma who radiates happiness, and it’s clear that James is already an incredible father. I love maternity sessions because they’re so full of excitement and anticipation and wonder over what the new bundle of love will look like. It was such a joy spending the evening with these two as we talked about life with their future baby boy. It’s a truly exciting season and with parents like this, I cannot wait to see just how handsomely beautiful their little guy is! James and Kimmie, thank you for letting me be the first to take baby Liam's pictures. You are already absolutely amazing parents and I'm so excited to watch as you continue on this wonderful adventure of raising your son. Thank you for letting me spend the evening with you and for being so kind as to laugh at all my cheesy jokes. I'm now bound and determined to find a way to make it to Virginia for Baby's arrival just so that I can take his first (real) photos! I'll consider this fair warning that I may show up on your doorstep the day Liam is born?!

xoxo, M.

Dan + Molly

Dan and Molly are one of those couples that make me smile from ear to ear. Last weekend I was lucky enough to document these two beginning their life together as husband and wife. I think what I love most about the weddings I photograph is being genuinely excited for the adventure all of my brides + grooms are starting. Marriage is hard, tough, grueling work but it’s also the most incredible, fun, rewarding work that exists. It was such a joy to watch Dan + Molly so authentically happy on their wedding day. They were excited about their gorgeous weather, their mountain view, their friends and families who gathered from around the country, and most of all they were excited about each other. I knew these two were something special when I found myself lingering around after the sparkler exit, not wanting to leave the wedding. And while it all seemed to end too soon, I could not be any happier for these two and the many sweet decades of life together they have ahead of them. Dan + Molly, YOU’RE MARRIED!!!! I hope Hawaii was incredible and that you were able to soak up the sun and the waves and each other. Thank you for letting me capture this beautiful adventure you’re on. I hope you know that I feel so fortunate to call you friends!

Lots of love, Michelle

Does this pretty little bridesmaid on the left look familiar? Maybe from her gorgeous wedding in Nashville last year?!

Ben and Erin

I've never had a couple have to take the words 'in sickness and health' so literally on their own wedding day. The night before Ben and Erin's wedding, Erin sent me a text to let me know that Ben had become violently ill at the rehearsal dinner. This wasn't just any sick, it was so-sick-he-spent-the-night-before-his-wedding-in-the-emergency-room, sick. At 2pm., an hour before Ben and Erin's ceremony was supposed to begin, Ben was still in bed feeling absolutely terrible. Yet despite the royally unfortunate timing of the flu and the brutally hot weather, you'd have never known Ben was in pain. Nothing could distract these two from the happiness that was marrying their best friend! I truly believe it when I say I get to photograph the most incredible couples in the world. Ben and Erin's ceremony was so touching and their words so sweet and, as is a reoccurring theme with all of my weddings this year, as Ben and Erin vowed to spend forever together I couldn't help but feel truly lucky to be in attendance.

Ben and Erin (and both of your incredibly warm + loving families!!), thank you so much for your never ending smiles and your kind hearts and your wonderful hugs. Your joy was so beautiful to watch and left me with only the warmest of wishes for your new adventure as husband and wife!

Lots of love and a million thanks!! Michelle

Married!!