Zach and Teresa

I am so excited to do this beautiful, inside and out, couple's wedding next month in Western New York! Truth be told, these photos were taken over the winter, but I haven't taken the time to share them...and it's certainly not because I have any issues with sharing them. It’s simply my arch-enemy, Time.

Alllll of my faithful clients know this about me: My priority lies within a few things; Jesus, my family, and getting my client’s photos to them in a timely fashion. They know that they come before anything extra, like posting their photos online. Most of them don’t care if I do or not and thanks to AI, an increasing amount is asking that I not publicize them. I totally get that one!

From my perspective, sharing on my website or social media the work I have done is not high on my list anyway. God has always provided despite the lack of my online presence. Clearly, He’s bigger than social media. ;) But, I still enjoy highlighting people and companies when I can squeeze it in.

This enchanting couple lives in the Western New York area where my husband, Ralph and I are from. I have known Teresa, or “Little T,” as she is sometimes referred to, for almost ten years. I met her through “Mama T,” aka Theresa, a mutual friend of ours. Because there were two with the same name, they needed to distinguish between the two.

My first memory with her was flying to Utah with “Mama T,” Curtis, and another friend for an event. We were the two youngest and naturally gravitated to each other. That trip connected us because of our love for Jesus. Over the years, we have shared many holiday and special events at Theresa and Curtis Hoffman’s house. They have invested much of their time in the two of us, as well as others. We both have an immense gratitude for them, to say the least.

My family and I have lived in Florida now for three and a half years, but our connections with family and friends like the Hoffman’s and Teresa have remained. We see them just about every time we visit Western New York.

When Zach, her boyfriend secretly contacted me to photograph the proposal while he was going to be in Clearwater with his family for work, I was sooo excited!! This was worth the two and a half hour drive to be a part of. We pulled the surprise off successfully. Wow, was that entire process both nerve-racking and exhilarating at the same time!!

I hid in plain sight by keeping myself covered up in a hoody and sunglasses with my back to her, photographing my niece, who was facing them as they were walking up to the spot that Zach and I pre-planned. My niece was in town visiting and it was Ralph who had the great idea to use her, since Teresa wouldn't recognize her. When Zach and Theresa got close enough, she gave me the look that said they were close by. I simply turned in their direction and started photographing this precious moment in their lives.

I was especially amused when Teresa realized, after Zach finished proposing, that the photographer was me. It made for some cute photos.

Since I live on the other coast of Florida, I had only been to Clearwater beach a couple of times. Zach had researched locations online and came across one that we both thought would be good, but when he arrived to scope it out, it was not so nice anymore from hurricane damage. Clearwater beach was in walking distance to where everyone was staying so that was obviously on the table, but I felt the pull to look beyond that.

After looking at a map, I found the beautiful Sand Key Park, which was on the coast not too far from the beach. Obviously any beach is beautiful, but we had some concerns with volume of people. After video chatting with me at both Clearwater beach and Sand Key Park, Zach and I both agreed that Sand Key was by far the better choice.

On the day of the proposal, my husband and I arrived a couple hours earlier than the scheduled proposal time. Since I hadn't been to this area of Clearwater beach, I wanted to lock in the best spots to take photos and to make sure that we were totally prepared for the proposal. I did NOT want to be the reason for a ruined surprise.

This location did not disappoint! It was actually very cold between the temps, clouds, and wind that day, but we all ignored it, letting the excitement from the whole thing keep us warm enough to get through! Plus, it made for some pretty awesome, cuddly, black and white photos. :) Here are a few of those:

Photographing couples before their wedding is very important for many reasons. We all need to become more familiar with each other. I need to know how my couples connect, what they tend to do once the camera rises to my face, and what it’s going to take to best capture them. It doesn’t matter if I know them or not.

Aren't they delightfully adorable? I told Teresa after these engagement photos how easy she is to photograph. Her response to me was that it’s only because she is so comfortable with me. What a compliment!

Whether I just met someone a few seconds before I took their photo or have known them for years, that is the common phrase I hear from people when they share their experience with me. It is an intentional gift that God has given me that I pray I am using well for His glory.

Zach, who my husband referred to as a GQ model, was just as pleasant to photograph and be around. He has such a genuine care for those around him. Together, and given the circumstances, they made my job very easy.

I will let the photos do the rest of the talking, but first I have to say that I am honored to be chosen to photograph Zach and Teresa's wedding! Going beyond that, I look forward to watching them grow in their marriage and being an encouragement to them over the years!!!