Puerto Rico

Back from relaxation... back to reality

More photos to come soon from my family's trip to Puerto Rico!

Safari

Recently, I've had flashbacks to Africa.  Maybe its the warmer weather or the bright skies.  I've found myself driving and all of a sudden thinking about Africa or remembering driving down a road, dodging traffic, goats, and people.  I love these flashbacks, it helps keep my memories alive and helps me to remember "Thats right, I DID live in Africa!"  The other day I took a new route to work.  Just one different road, but it was a cobblestone road.  The roughness of the road, and my car bouncing along the stones reminded me of the safaris I used to go on.  I miss the adventure of driving my own car along the rough and broken roads.  There is so much beauty out there on the African plains.  I would encourage everyone to travel to Africa once in their lifetime.  But if you can't, let me bring it to you!  Pull up a chair, find that Lion King soundtrack I know you all have, and enjoy!

Kim and Jeff's Maymont wedding

When I first moved to Richmond I visited Maymont.  While walking around the Italian gardens, I thought to myself that this would be the most amazing location for a wedding.  The more I visited the gardens, the more I dreamed about shooting a wedding in the spring in this very spot.  The week of the wedding was full of thunderstorms and rain showers.  Kim and I followed the weather closely but were hopeful for a sunny day.  Sun is exactly what Kim and Jeff got!  Because of the rain, the flowers were in full bloom.  The colonnade was incredible with the cascading vibrant purple wisteria.  Everything was exquisite.  Jeff and Kim had a blast on their wedding day and I so enjoyed being apart of it!  They were adorable in their affection for each other.  Thank you both for letting me be apart of your beautiful wedding...it was fantastic!

Justin & Amber's Engagement Day

This is by far, the most important/special/exciting engagement shoot I've ever shot.  Why?  Because my brother was the one who got engaged!  I recall the very first time I heard about his now-fiance.  Justin told me he had met a girl who literally lived next door to his college house.  Being the protective older sister, I asked him if she was good enough for him.  He responded with a confident "Kate...Amber is legit!"  A few days later I met Amber.  She was/is indeed, "legit!" Our family has fallen in love with Amber.  She is the sweetest girl.  From the moment we all met her we knew she would fit right in with our family.  Justin and Amber compliment each other so well.  The phrase "meant for each other" truly is defined by these two.  It has been a joy to watch their relationship grow over the past year.  When Justin first shared with us that he was looking for a ring, we we thrilled for the two of them...It was hard to keep the excitement level in check around her!

This past weekend, it all went down.  There are quite a few photos because, hey, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment!  I'll summarize the story in order to explain some of the photos. Justin had planned an amazing date for them: walk through a park, around a lake, and finally ending with a picnic in a tiny field completely surrounded by woods.  As they ate their strawberry shortcake, Justin pointed out the random Easter eggs around the field.  Amber collected all the eggs and inside found pieces of a puzzle which together created a poem.  As they put together the puzzle and read the poem, she realized one piece of the puzzle was missing...the last one.  At this point, Justin took Amber's hand, stood her up as he got down on one knee.  He pulled out the ring box and inside was the final piece of the puzzle with the final line of the poem: "I Love You."  Oh yeah, and the bling was inside the ring box as well!  Her face was priceless.  I'm so thankful I was able to capture these moments.  It was an honor to be there!

Amber and Justin...here's to your engagement and wonderful future together as Mr. and Mrs. Justin Joyce! Love you two.

Erin & Mark Engagement

Looking forward to ya'lls fun, beautiful Virginia wedding in September!