When I first met with Amber at Starbucks…we literally talked for three hours. Nathan started wondering where I was/if I was okay. But we had so much in common that it felt like I had known her for years! Her and Dustin have been together since high school and she describe him as her “big teddy bear” and her best friend. And when I finally met Dustin, it felt like I’d already known him just from hearing Amber talk about him.

I was so excited when Amber first emailed me, because they are getting married at one of my favorite local venues, Selah Springs. They also decided that they wanted to shoot their engagement portraits there too. 

Even though this was more or less last minute a last minute shoot, I had a blast with these two. They wanted their session to be in one of their favorite places...Wildwood Park in Radford, VA. Sara and Justin like to walk down the trail and find their way to a park bench by the creek. So of course, we had to take pictures with that bench and all around this little gem of a park. 

While I was shooting Sara's ring, they were telling me the story of how Justin proposed. GUYS, take notes! Justin went back to the local restaurant were they had their first date and started planning his surprise. When the couple went for dinner, Justin had arranged for them to be seated at the same table that they had on their first date. It was then the Justin asked Sara to marry him. After Sara said yes, Justin had one more surprise. He took her to the back of the restaurant to a large "party" room, that was filled with their friends and families. I mean come on, it was so sweet!

Sara and Justin, thank you guys so much for letting me spend some time with you and for being such a fun couple! I truly enjoyed it and wish you both the best. 

             

               I have been so excited to work with these two, let me tell you. Their wedding isn’t until August so I’m thankful that we got to shoot their engagement session last night. Hannah and Cameron definitely seem like my kind of people…they like to hike, go on bike rides and in general are so much fun to be around. When we met for their wedding consultation, I asked them how they met and they started in on the story. After they got through the first meeting and started talking about the first date…they both said “it was the worst first date ever!”. But Hannah and Cameron decided to give it another shot and now they are engaged! 

               Make sure you look for their wedding in August at the Diamond V Farms in Bedford. It is going to be beautiful! For their engagement session we went out to Hannah's aunt house in Pulaski, VA and I am so glad we did. It was so pretty out there. 

In November of 2013, I was blessed with a chance to learn, meet and create with some amazing photographers in Lynchburg at a wedding photography workshop. Still being a "newbie" in the photography industry, I jumped at the chance. Some people in the industry don't want to teach what they have learned, they would rather keep to themselves, not Jessica  of Jessica Mae Photography.

She wanted to share things that she has learned. I loved the fact that she kept this workshop small and was able to give each of us one-on-one time to review our portfolios and talk with us, not just AT us. Some people think that being a photographer, all we do is take pictures..."how hard can that be?". Well there is so much more than that. I'm sure my fellow photographers will agree that education is a huge part of our time. Looking for inspiration, reading blog after blog, and attending workshops are all part of the process. And I am so grateful that I was able to attend this workshop for it has given me new ideas for moving forward, inspired me to keep learning and given me a sense of community in the process.

Please, please make sure you check out Jessica's photos from the workshop. Part of her charm as a photographer is the fact that she shoots with film. Yes, film! It is absolutely amazing to see her work. Click here to see her shots from this workshop. And make sure to check the credits at the bottom.