It was supposed to be a session at a different location…turns out that location had some crazy hours and was about to close as we would be starting our session. Never one without a plan, we headed to Oak Creek Canyon instead. That’s how I met Nina & Derek in person, pulled over on the side of a Sedona road, coming up with a plan B. They trusted me and followed me up a crazy windy road for 20 minutes before we arrived at our final destination. I knew I loved these two when they were so easy going and excited to explore this new space! I swooned as I learned about how they met while working at Applebee’s and the fun story of his thoughtful proposal that involved riding a tram up to the top of a mountain in Albuquerque, where friends and family were waiting to surprise her, each with an individual role leading up to the big moment…when he asked her to love him forever.

I’m a sucker for stories like that, but what I love even more is the hilarious backstories to those beautiful moments like where she’s holding this huge Applebee’s bag in every.single.photo documenting that momentous event. I loved how they laughed about it and how it’s become this inside joke between them and their family. Because life is like that, somehow simultaneously beautiful and imperfect all at the same time. Marriage, parenthood, and life in general is full of moments that take your breath away, bring tears to your eyes, all with a mix of the unplanned and hot mess instants where all you can do is laugh. Nina & Derek, your session in the woods of Sedona was such a fun reminder how what a blessing and how precious it is to laugh through life with someone, and I can’t wait to capture your wedding in a few short months at The Windmill Winery!