This session is very close to my heart. Karen has been my best girl friend for 13 years. I have also known Scott for that long. The three of us met in church just after I had moved to Missouri from New Jersey and was feeling homesick and uprooted. However, I was welcomed with open arms and soon became part of a core group of youth that did everything together. I truly couldn’t have asked for better, more loyal, or accepting friends.

I had always thought that Karen and Scott seemed perfect for each other, but they kept it on a friend level as teens. Scott moved away after a few years, but they kept in touch. He eventually moved back, and they soon realized that the thought of being more than friends was very appealing 🙂 Within a year, they were married.

Karen and I joke that I always happen to be around when a major event happens in their lives. Well, not so much joke as tell it how it is. I was with them on one of their first dates (it was a group date), I was with them on their wedding day, I was with them when they picked out their first dog from the shelter, I was was with them on their first vacation together (along with another friend), I was with them when Scarlett was born (9 months after that vacation ;)) and then the day I took these photos, I was with them when they bought a car.

We have grown up together, laughed together, and cried together. Thank you both for being there for me during the best of times and the worst of times. You are more than friends. You are my family. I love you, and I’m so honored to count your beautiful family as my own.

These are some of my favorite photos ever. I told Scott to whisper something into Karen’s ear. I don’t know what he whispered, but judging from her reaction, I’m guessing it was pretty good 😉 I love the progressively shocked look on her face, ending with the laughter. So them.

I love how Scarlett’s looking at her mama. So sweet.

Karen, to put it simply, you’re stunning. I know Scott agrees with me.

Oh boy did I laugh at this one when I saw it.

One of my top 5 favorite portraits I’ve ever taken. Definitely my favorite from this session.

And then we found an old, abandoned boat in downtown St. Joseph, MO. Strange? Yes. Perfect photo op? YES!

These last two are my other favorites. I love these people, and loved being able to capture their love 🙂