The question of whether or not Anne & TJ "met" at camp is one that is up for debate.  They both grew up at Bluewater, spending weeks of their summers on it's beautiful beach, swimming in it's crystal clear waters and making lifetime friends.  Just not each other, yet.  

It wasn't until a road trip to a conference that Anne recognized TJ again, and TJ hoped she would recognize him again and again.  Through a few random encounters and a week at camp serving together, Anne still wasn't quite sure.  But a magical thing happens on summer staff and not so very long ago Anne and TJ really truly met each other at camp.  

And on a rainy Saturday two weeks ago, in the same spot near the beach where they had their first "I like you, you like me" conversation, TJ knelt down and, soaking wet, asked the world's best "I love you, you love me" kind of question, sealed with a diamond ring.

The title might be just a little tongue in cheek but the setting was gorgeous, the details were perfectly cultivated and the models were stunning.  I have so many things to say about this styled shoot but instead I will let the photos speak for themselves. 

I was honored to work alongside some remarkable vendors who made this vision a reality.  Make sure to show them some love on social media by clicking their links at the bottom.  

I love lifestyle sessions.  I love bringing the life in people's homes into the light of my camera lens and letting reality shine through, not just posed and perfect but the real and the vibrant and the hilarious and the quiet.  

I met up with Colleen, Stephen and little Isaac a few weeks ago just after Isaac turned one.  They wanted photos to document the happy occasion and when I suggested a lifestyle session as opposed to the typical one-year photos she was happy to make that choice.  I can tell you all about how much I loved the photos and these three and all those kind of things but instead Colleen was kind enough to write about her experience:

As I mom I love this moment when Isaac fell down and immediately ran to his mom.  Seriously this photo makes my heart swell.

I love stories of big proposals, I mean who doesn't?  Millions of rose petals or hot air balloon rides or a great big scavenger hunt, those are pretty fun.  But, truthfully, I love Scott's proposal more.  Because a few years ago when he walked into a coffee shop in downtown Bellevue he only wanted a cup of coffee and instead met the love of his life, but he had to wait.  She was already taken.

So when one of Linnea's co-workers had noticed Scott's affinity for Linnea's smile and laugh she took the chance to let Scott know when Linnea was available again.  So, he waited an appropriate amount of time and asked her out.  They shared a love for laughter, craft beers, big dogs and eventually each other.  

A few months ago, Scott went in to pick up Linnea's engagement ring and decided he didn't want to wait another moment.  He walked into their West Seattle home and without a big to-do said to a nearly sleeping Linnea, "Do you want to get married?"  She said yes and the wait for forever to begin was over.  It might seem small to some people but with the two of them, and their awesome dog Harry, things are casual, authentic and present.  So we spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon in West Seattle and we started out at the most awesome dog-friendly watering hole I've been to in a long time, Beveridge Place Pub.  Things just got better from there.