Stephanie and Mike haven’t been together very long; a fresh 5 months, but you wouldn’t know that looking at these images.  Young love is beautiful. Everything is fresh and new. You’re just getting to know each other.

The unique thing about Stephanie and Mike’s relationship is that in order for it to have been possible, it would have had to play out exactly the way that it happened.

MIKE AND STEPHANIE’S BEGINNING

Stephanie and Mike went on their first date on June 1st. However, if you ask Mike, he’d tell you that he met Stephanie at 4:30pm on Tuesday, January 22nd 2013. Actually he met about 80 people at a time that day and it was pure luck that she happened to be one of the people enrolled in his chemistry class.

Being Stephanie’s best friend, I got to hear her talk about “The Professor” for the entire semester while simultaneously having her admit to not speaking a single word to him the entire time.

“I was too shy to ask him questions and waited til the semester was over to ask him out!”  -Stephanie

(I would later find out that it turns out the attraction had been mutual)

When you first start dating someone you like, you start to gather the little things you admire about each other.

“I love how he makes me laugh and his adorable dimples when he smiles!” -Stephanie

“This will probably sound like a cop out, but I haven’t yet found anything about Stephanie that doesn’t amaze me. It’s true. The first thing I noticed about her though?  Her eyes. They captivate me. ”  -Mike

They love being in each other’s company, so long as they’re together, it’s enjoyable. When I asked what they liked to do together, Mike said, “We have a list!  Laughing, eating, and watching ‘How I Met Your Mother’ are all really high on that list.

SESSION PREP

For Mike and Stephanie’s session, they wanted a fun, candid look. They weren’t really going for anything other than “Stephanie and Mike.”  It was more about them having fun and being themselves rather than having it be a manipulation and having them look a certain way. Mike says jokingly, “I really just did was I was told.”

It’s funny because these two didn’t need very much direction. Their interaction was natural and my best friend and her new beau were lit up, smiling like no other.

They brought along 3 outfits and wore 2 of them. They worked together to coordinate their looks. (As is always the most visually appealing)  They brought variety without carting out the whole closet which was nice because they got to have options.

The props we all had talked about quite a bit. Stephanie had done some research of her own and had found several images that she admired on Pinterest. From those images, we built our own concepts. They really wanted to bring a Chemistry book because that is what had brought them together. Also, who doesn’t enjoy a great pun?  Not only did they meet in a Chemistry Class, but they came together because they have great chemistry!  *Duh-Dun-Tsk*

We brought along a vintage camera, Steph’s favorite flowers, and a pumpkin. (Which we later found out was appropriate because Michael calls Steph “Pumpkin”).

THE EXPERIENCE

How was your experience?

“It was a great experience. Stephanie and I laughed A LOT, goofed off, and had fun. We were ourselves which is exactly what we wanted. It was almost as if there just happened to be a camera there while we were enjoying each other’s company.” -Mike

“Merenda and Sean made us laugh and we were more at ease with being ourselves during the shoot.”
-Stephanie

One Piece of Advice for Others?

“Props, Outfits, and Have Fun!”
-Stephanie

“Have fun, be yourselves, and forget that there is a camera there. Listen to Merenda and you’ll end up with amazing photos, but the more you pay attention to each other and the less you pay attention to the camera, the better it will turn out!” -Mike

Were you nervous, anxious or fearful?

“I’ve never done a couples shoot before and I love to have pictures in my home!” -Stephanie

“I was worried about Merenda’s camera breaking when she aimed it at me. It’s a good thing that Steph is pretty enough for the both of us (and then some)” -Mike

Location?
“A great open area. I wanted shots of us together on a blanket.” -Stephanie

The sunset was beautiful. The laughs were genuine and I have never been so happy to see new feelings transform.

As for where they see themselves in five years?

Que Sera Sera…

]]> http://gordon58938.cmdwebsites.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=102 0 http://gordon58938.cmdwebsites.com/blog/?p=60 http://gordon58938.cmdwebsites.com/blog/?p=60#comments Sun, 13 Oct 2013 01:55:09 +0000 http://gordon58938.cmdwebsites.com/blog/?p=60  

Chelsea and Casen are the type of couple you look at and just know that they are meant to be together.  Couples like these two are the type I live to photograph.  They’re the type of couple you know that are going to last because everything is so natural.  It’s evident in their gaze that they love each other so very much and to top it off and solidify their fate, shortly after I had the privilege of photographing them, Casen surprised Chelsea with a proposal and they are now engaged!

CONGRATULATIONS to the BOTH OF YOU!

I’ve been fortunate to know Chelsea since High School.  She is one of the sweetest girls I know and truly beautiful inside and out.  After meeting Casen, I can honestly say that he is definitely the most perfect match for her missing puzzle piece.  They compliment each other quite beautifully.

CHELSEA AND CASEN’S LOVE STORY

The two love birds met through mutual friends.  Chelsea’s friend was dating Casen’s best friend and thought that the couple should most definitely meet.  When the timing was right, as fate would have it, they met and the rest was history.  They dated for a month and pretty soon they became official.  They’ve been together for 2 years now; and of course, are now, engaged!

They love doing things together.  Casen and Chelsea have what any couple hope to have; they’re best friends.  They love hanging out with and taking their adorable dog Gunny to the river, going to apple hill, and hanging out with friends at the brewery.  They enjoy being creative together and taking photos while visiting different spots and also, enjoy re-finishing furniture.  They love Dexter and Breaking Bad, spending time with their friends and family, and just taking the time to spend quality time together.

When asked where they see each other in 5 years, they say, “Married with Kids? LoL” (Well I certainly hope so, those will be some good looking kids) ;)Chelsea plans to be a dental assistant and Casen for sure doing something he loves!

 “When I first met Chelsea, I wasn’t sure that she was my type or that she would be the last girl I ever dated.  It took only two weeks for her to prove me wrong.  I fell in Love with Chelsea.  I fell in love with the most beautiful person inside and out; an Angel.  She has a way with people that amazes me and it is a great joy being around her.  Chelsea has been there for me through difficult times and was my saving grace after surgery.  I love everything about her and it’s impossible not to.  She brings out the best in me and I could not ask for more from her.  I am in love with my best friend and she is the best thing that ever happened to me.”       -Casen

“I love that Casen is himself 100% of the time and not only that, but that he loves me 110%.  He is so natural with the way he loves me.  I love that he loves his mom more than anything.  I know I was in love with him when I witnessed how he acted around his mom.  It was so sweet and ensuring.  I love that he loves my family and is always urging that we go and hang out with my grandparents.  He is so amazing.”  -Chelsea

SESSION PREP

 For their session, Chelsea and Casen really wanted a fun, colorful, young-love kind of look.  They coordinated their wardrobe choices beautifully wearing complimentary, bright colors to give their images a bright cheery ambiance.  Their wardrobe choice was appropriate, comfortable, colorful, and definitely Casen and Chelsea.

 Their advice to other couples:  “Just be you!  Don’t think too much about it!”

I couldn’t agree more!

I suggest to all my clients to embellish the shoot, their images, and experience with props or extras.  Nothing that will take away from the subjects themselves, but a little something to personalize.  I was very excited when they brought along their handsome dog Gunny!  Though bringing an animal along can sometimes prove to be a daunting task especially with the time constraints of a mini session, (Chelsea and Casen were a little concerned that might try and catch some falling leaves and take off) however, Gunny was a delight!

 “Gunny is the best prop out there!  He’s a perfect little picture taker!”  -Chelsea

 THE EXPERIENCE

 How was your Experience?

 “It was so much fun!!! Casen has such a spirit about him that he makes everything special and fun!  I loved loving on him take after take!”

 One piece of advice for other couples in the Futures:

 “If taking pictures is hard for you, try and remember when you first fell in love with your significant other.  I promise you will smile and everything will come natural.”

 As for location?

“It was perfect!  Loved everything about it!”

Well, I certainly loved everything about these two.  Their love for each other was evident.  Everything was so natural and their pup Gunner completed this charming trio.