Taylor & Michael

When Taylor reached out to me about their elopement day, she said that she wanted to keep things simple & sweet. She told me that her and Michael were expecting, they were going to the courthouse to get married, but they still wanted to have some alone time and take portraits. We collaborated on finding a location that was scenic but also not too far out of the way for the rest of their plans. Jacobsburg State Park was the perfect location to take these two, (three!).

When we first met up at the park, we chatted in the parking lot of a few before heading in. Since this was my first time meeting them in person and also my first time photographing them, I took a few minutes to explain how things were gonna go. I told them that the day was about them and their relationship. I told them that I would guide them through everything, and however they usually do things ( hug, kiss, walk, etc ) to just go ahead and do them that way. I’m never going to put the camera up and say, GO! They laughed at my craziness, but in all seriousness I wanted them to know that I wasn’t going to leave them hanging. When it comes to most couples, you probably having been photographed professionally before and I know it can be scary! Within the first five minutes, they were invested in themselves and making the most of their experience. They had just gotten married and this time was for THEM.

We wandered the park stopping in different spots that spoke to us and I just got to know them better while taking their portraits. At one point, I asked them if they were planning on doing a first dance later at their get together and they said that they hadn’t thought about it. I then asked, if you did have a first dance, what would the song be? I played it on my phone, and photographed them having their first dance together at Mr. & Mrs. I definitely saw some tears in there, and I had a moment to myself of “wow, I helped them create this memory, this is so cool.” I won’t lie to you either, I was crying myself.

When I left their session, I felt so full of love and happiness I felt like I was going to explode. Taylor & Michael are two of the kindest people I have ever met, and I wish them all the best on their new adventure together!