Five and a half years ago, Jarrett and Leanna were planning their wedding. Five and a half years ago, I was planning my wedding and preparing to move across the continent. Five and a half years ago, I met with Jarrett and Leanna over a cup of Starbucks and loved every minute of dreaming wedding dreams together.
My cross-country move meant it didn’t work out for me to photograph their backyard wedding awesomeness, but in the power of modern day social media we stayed in touch and I have watched from afar as they’ve walked life (the ups, the downs, the good, the bad) and navigated with such strength and grace five years of marriage.
When Leanna asked if I would be able to photograph anniversary photos during my trip home to North Carolina earlier this month, I almost had to say no — I had been fully booked for several months, so the only option available meant meeting at 7am. Talk about dedication: they were willing to meet me just before sunrise for a glorious, moody, dewy, brilliantly magical anniversary session.
Some of my all-time favorite images are from my last sunrise session (note to self: take more sunrise photos!) AND it rained the whole session! So does that even count as sunrise? (P.S. Just before I scheduled Leanna’s sunrise session, I put one on the books for November — ready or not, here comes more magical mornings!).
Leanna and Jarrett are exactly my kind of people: happy to sacrifice a little sleep for sake of the art, very willing to laugh and have fun even though I’m asking for them to canoodle in the wet grass at sunrise, and ridiculously hilarious as they love each other.
I wish I could remember all the lessons they’ve learned in five years (they kept me laughing while packing good truths in between locations!), but there was one that sounded something like “When [my wonderful, caring, supportive spouse] says ‘you’re right,’ I know [my wonderful, caring, supportive spouse] is lying.” (Name removed to protect the innocent. :-P)
Happy official fifth wedding anniversary, you guys! (A couple days late. :-P) May the next fifty be just as marvelous as the fifth as been.
P.S. We photographed in the same place where they held their backyard wedding five years ago. How’s that for perfect symmetry??
When Josh & Sara chose snowy Grouse Mountain Engagement Photos, I’m not sure any of us could have predicted the immense level of … [cough] …. dedication required to look so beautiful on such a blizzardy day. Yes, that’s right: the snow was coming in heavy and didn’t stop during our entire time together. BUT…
She handed her ticket to the bored high schooler. He didn’t really want to be there. A fair’s a fair, said his eyes. And too many enthusiastic, sugar crazed individuals were making his life miserable. But at least it was a paycheck, even if it was tedious work. She ignored his rude cynicism and bounced…
Granville Island engagement photos are among my favourite. Especially with the gem-among-gems Kristina and Jordan, exploring the colorful and scenic corner of Vancouver was a blast. Even better? To start at Point Grey Park for a view of the city and to commemorate their very first almost-date. A Valentine’s Day, a party with mutual friends,…
It was the sweetest of things. Aaron grabbed Heather and pulled her close — knowing full well, of course, that the camera was watching him. I think he was trying to show off. He had claimed her. Wooed her. Sent yellow roses. Put a ring on her finger. Made her happier than seemed possible. And…
The great thing about Ruth and David, though, is that not only do they love each other, but they are also ridiculously, adorably, perfectly suited for each other. And that is NOT an exaggeration. Plus, I have proof. Visual, documented, undeniable proof of their ability to love each other, laugh with each other, poke fun…
She ran toward him, arms flung wide. Giggling, she didn’t even try to dodge the rain drops. Half her heart stood up the path, waiting for her. Patiently. Gently. Happily. He waited for her. Soaking in the rain as gleefully as she basked in his love, she reached his side. Throwing her arms around…
![Engaged: Ray and Laura [In The Rain]](https://jennimarie.com/wp-content/uploads/i-qPs36wm-L-768x511.jpg)