Andrew + Katie | Lake Michigan Surprise Proposal

What better way to spend a summer evening than with one of the sweetest couples? Keep reading to see the highlights from Andrew + Katie’s lakeside engagement in Sheboygan, Wisconsin!

Andrew + Katies Engagement

This proposal was one for the books. Andrew + Katie were in Wisconsin for vacation with family, and weeks prior Andrew had planned out everything to make for the PERFECT proposal. From picking the location to convincing Katie to pack a nice dress, down to not letting her take her nail polish off and booking me to drive up from Missouri - this man PLANNED.

I drove up the evening prior and spent the day scouting Friday morning. If you haven’t visited Sheboygan you should. It’s the cutest little town right on Lake Michigan. I spent the morning bird watching while I checked out the light house before enjoying breakfast at Field to Fork. From there I checked out Kohler-Andrae State Park. With beautiful sand dunes and wildlife every where - it was a perfect adventure. I grabbed a quick snack from Slo Food Market (If you check out on place - make it this store), and headed back to the light house to pretend to be another random tourist photographing the birds.

Lucky for me - Katie had never met me before so sliding under the radar was easy. I minded my own business and waiting for Andrew & Katie to come into view. Andrew texted me to let me know they were done with dinner and walking my way, and had let me know the day before what they would be wearing and to say everything came together perfectly would be an understatement.

Romantic Missouri River Picnic | Leigha + Garrett

romantic sunset picnic in Washington, Missouri

I spent the most perfect Sunday evening on the edge of the Missouri River in Washington, Missouri for Leigha and Garretts engagement. They seriously lucked out with the most perfect summer evening.

This love story is about Leigha + Garrett, but if you know me - you know I am the biggest sucker for love. Whether it be romantic or platonic, I absolutely love to love - unconditionally, with no hesitation and little regard for my own gain or self preservation. So, when Leigha gave me the vision board for her dream engagement session; I ran with it. We’re talking champagne flutes, fresh strawberries, pepper jelly, and scouting for the perfect location. This wasn’t just a shoot - this was date night for my first 2024 Bride & Groom.

We started out evening at John G's Bier Deck. Leigha and Garrett met there, and with out this classic Washington spot - may have never written the love story they call their life. After a few beers, we headed to the riverfront. These two thought we were just having a picnic good enough for a few pictures and they were so wrong.

We laughed, we danced, we got swarmed by a handful of grasshoppers. It was a dream. A dream with Leigha’s Grandpas picnic basket, fresh flowers, and Leigha & Garrett’s first set of champagne flutes. To say I was honored would be an understatement. To say I am excited for their wedding would simply never do how I feel about these two justice.

Spring Elopement at Olympic National Park | Richie + Sam

Richie + Sam had the perfect spring elopement at Olympic National Park. These two were straight out of a romantic novel I swear. Keep scrolling to see the full beauty of their day, and to learn more about the locations we spent the entire day exploring!

When I say Richie + Sam eloped, I mean they eloped. The real kind of “eloped,” like drive-across-the-country-from-Missouri eloped. Yes, they literally ran away from the Midwest we know and love to head to the PNW to elope! So don’t let anybody tell you you can’t do that anymore. These two are the perfect example of how the word “elopement” can mean whatever the fuck you want it to mean. Whether you want to elope at a chapel in Vegas, travel across the country spontaneously, or plan a full-fledged, intentional elopement with your closest loved ones 6 months in advance.

We explored the famous Olympic National Hoh Rainforest, venturing through the vibrant green trees as sun rays peaked through the canopy. They enjoyed quiet moments in the forest together, side-by-side, with a beautiful bouquet in hand - fresh from the Pike Place Market. We explored the stunning Elwah River Valley, Cresent Beach & Rialto Beach’s and Madison Falls. We took in lakeside views, fresh salt water in our hair and wrapped up the day soaking up fresh mountain air.

What a perfect spring day with two wonderful humans. Thank you for trusting me to capture your magical love for you in the middle of this incredible outdoor beauty.

A sweet review from the most wonderful bride

Sam is the finest photographer I have worked with yet. She has done boudoir, engagement, couples, and elopement photos for me, and I just fall into a deeper admiration each time. No matter the job, she pours her entire heart and soul into it. She is always furthering her own education, staying up to date with trends and making the experience with her clients one they will always remember for all of the right reasons! The most recent photos were for my husband and I's elopement at Olympic National Park in Washington State. The entire day ran smoothly despite having to change a few things around, all while Sam was ready for anything at the blink of an eye. Her impeccable attention to detail, care towards what we wanted, and overflowing talent overall was beyond what we could have ever been hoping for. We truly couldn't be happier with our decision to have Sam be there to capture our life's moments, big or small, and will be recommending her to EVERYONE!