February 2, 2013 by Terri

Aaron & Elizabeth…At Last | {Puyallup Engagement Photography}

Aaron and Elizabeth…at last is their moto and are they ever excited about the “at last” part! They are finally getting married and as you will see from the photos, they are so in love with one another, it just beams through in their photos! I had met Elizabeth a couple of years ago when I shot her business portraits as well as their darling daughter, Aryianna! Elizabeth is a realtor and so when we met last summer to talk about purchasing a rental home, she share that she was engaged…and the wedding is set for this coming August! We talked a bit about the details, but then went on to the house discussion. This past fall, we started talking about the details and planned for some engagement photos after the first of the year. We met up in South Prarie and then headed out past Carbonado to this great old (one way) bridge for the photos. After a week (or more!) of fog, cold and even some rain…we had a dry day and even some sunshine, although it still was quite chilly! A gorgeous location and the view of the river below was spectacular! I hadn’t met Aaron before, so it was nice to get a chance to visit with him and to see Aryianna again…she’s a sweetheart and very excited about her “job” at the wedding as a flower girl…she will be the CUTEST one ever!! This couple is so grounded, they know what they want, what’s important in life and truly value their family and friends…I loved spending time with them and am so excited for their big day this summer!

This is their motto…AT LAST…as they’ve been together for 12 years and everyone is finally say “at last” you are getting married!

Such a special part of their lives, Aryianna, is not only a beautiful girl, but very sweet and bright! Their dog, Jersey, also joined us for some of the photos…the complete family!It was definitely chilly, so I tried to give them every opportunity possible to snuggle to warm up…and they didn’t seem to mind it a bit!!

Couldn’t resist Aryianna and Jersey together…the “kids” and since Jersey is getting older, I wanted to be sure to capture some photos of Aryianna with Jersey!I LOVE the look of total adoration that Elizabeth has for Aaron…it’s a beautiful thing to see!The smile and sparkle in Aryianna’s eyes is the sparkle that I love seeing in children and this cutie has such a great personality…I could spend an entire session with just her!And, Aaron has that same look for Elizabeth…complete and total love!!

At last…the date has been set, plans are being made and it’s going to be a beautiful and fabulous day…not only for Aaron and Elizabeth, but for all their family and friends who are there to celebrate this wonderful occasion with them! I can’t wait!!

December 26, 2012December 26, 2012 by Terri

Jordan and Emily | {Beautiful Couple}

Early in November, I had the pleasure of meeting this couple, Jordan and Emily. We had communicated through email for a couple of months about the session…the date and details…and when the date finally came, I was excited to meet them. These two are both college students at Western Washington State University, although they met in high school and have been dating for over three years. We were fortunate to have a dry day with plenty of sunshine…which is not always the case around here that time of year…although it was QUITE chilly! Emily popped out of the truck with this great little black dress…and I asked if she wanted to bring a sweater or jacket to wear between shots…she said no…she would be fine! Of course, it gave her a great excuse to snuggle up with Jordan during many of the shots and I quickly learned just how special these two are! I LOVED getting to know them, learning about their courtship and relationship and just how much family means to both of them. It’s remarkable to see a young couple with such great values and a strong relationship…and goals and plans for their future…oh, how much I was enjoying the session and watching these two young people, so much in love and so grounded!! Now, you might wonder why this is being posted nearly two months after their session, well, the photos were a surprise for their families for Christmas, so the blog had to wait until now…right after Christmas! Emily and Jordan both said they wanted a blog, so I promised them it would go up, after the gifts were given…and to be honest, it has been killing me to NOT share these photos…because these two were SO darn cute, I was dying to share these with all of you! So here goes…an adorable and sweet couple, who I absolutely loved photographing and getting to know…

Didn’t I tell you…they ARE adorable!!!Snuggling was definitely a theme of the session for these two…and not just because it was cold!Both Jordan and Emily are incredible people, students and hearing about all their ideas and plans for the future…it was so refreshing!!It was obvious these two have quite a connection…the way they looked at one another…melted my heart!!There was plenty of laughing, giggling and red cheeks during the session…part of it was at Jordan’s expense as I asked about how they met and about their first date…it may not have been perfect, but he did something right because here they are, three years later…the cutest couple who obviously have a wonderful and loving relationship!
And there was some kissing to go along with the snuggling!!It’s the littlest things that mean the most…Their first date was at the waterfront in Tacoma…so it seemed like the perfect spot for the session…many fond memories…and more to come!We had tons of fun during the session and when I asked if they wanted to jump…there was no hesitation…they were game for anything and laughed and smiled through it all!Emily and Jordan…you to are the CUTEST and I loved spending some time with you on this chilly fall afternoon. I hope to get to know you both more and follow your lives together and all the great experiences and adventures that lie ahead for the two of you! I know that there are GREAT things waiting for you! My best to you for a very Happy New Year!!

in Families / Love 4 comments

December 25, 2012December 25, 2012 by Terri

MY FAMILY | {Merry Christmas}

It’s actually a week before Christmas as I sit at the computer, choosing photos to share with my family and friends on Christmas…as this won’t post until Christmas day. This year we all are feeling heavy hearts and a need to be closer to family and hug them all a bit tighter and as I go through my photos of our children and grandchildren…tears come to my eyes as I think about how grateful I am to have them all…healthy and all doing well…how blessed we truly are and I’m SO very thankful to be able to spend the holidays with them this year…all of us together…just hanging out together, enjoying one another and appreciating our time with one another! No presents can top this…quality time with family is what IS the most important thing. I’m SO proud of our children…I can’t tell you how much I love them and LOVE seeing them in their lives with their families!! It is the best thing, so see children grow up and become parents…not only to give us grandchildren (who we ADORE!!!!!!!!), but to be great people, citizens and parents…my heart is just bursting right now with pride….I can’t even tell you how much I love them!!

Josh…our oldest, has a beautiful daughter who is seven years old and I’m always in awe of how fabulous she is! Josh hasn’t had the perfect life, but he’s made the best of what he’s been through and is an AWESOME dad and loves his daughter to the end of the earth! Seeing the two of them together is incredible…they are loving, but playful and have a lot of fun…and he’s been great and teaching her responsibility and respect, which I truly admire! He’s in school now and working hard to make a better life for himself and Jayden…and we are so proud of him…and want the VERY best for them!!! Jayden…his daughter, oh, I’m sure you have seen MANY photos of her on this blog…needless to say, she’s had TONS of photos taken of her by me and I love photographing her….her smile, the sparkle in her eyes and seeing her grow into a lovely girl with a kind and loving heart is the best thing I could ever witness! Jayden, our first granddaughter, has a very special place in our hearts, is am amazing girl and now seeing her with her new cousin…she is remarkable with her…so sweet, loving and gentle…sometimes when I see them together, I think my heart could burst with pride!

Jessalyn, our daughter, is married to an incredible man, Sean, who we’ve known for many years…ahhhh, they are remarkable together…and as individuals! Jess (as we call her) is a teacher…and now a mother…and WOW…she was meant to work with children and those who are blessed with her as a teacher, are so fortunate…she’s is caring, understanding, patient and thoughtful…and seeing her blossom in this role, it’s amazing and heartwarming!!! And, her recent new role this past year, as a mother…oh my…I can’t even put into words how much I love seeing this…tears come to my eyes as I think about it…she’s the BEST mom and her beautiful daughter, Emma, is so fortunate to have her as a mom!! Emma entered this world a bit early, not quite as Jess (a planner) had planned, so that was a bit unnerving for all of us, but from the beginning, she was there, doing what needed to be done for Emma and making sure that everything was right and ready for each step along the way (and still worrying about her kids at school while on maternity leave)…I was so impressed and in awe…she’s truly remarkable! Today, Emma is about 8 1/2 months old and it’s so hard to believe she was so tiny and spent her first month of life in the hospital…she’s healthy, happy, adorable, spunky and beginning to tell us all about her life…I cherish each and every day with her!! Sean, husband and dad…we met him when he was in the 5th or 6th grade…he went to school with Josh…and as the years went on, I always felt like “something” might happen….someday between he and Jess…and low and behold…the stars aligned and it did…and now, they’ve celebrated their 5 year anniversary this past summer and have a beautiful daughter…he’s a great provider, loving, thoughtful, appreciative and I must also add…quite the prankster…we are always being caught in his jokes…oh, how fortunate we are to have him in our family!!

I can’t NOT talk about my husband…Rick…wow…it’s been over 30 years since we met and honestly, it was pretty close to love at first sight! We were in college and it wasn’t long after we started dating that we both knew we’d be together forever…and low and behold…this past summer we celebrated our 30th anniversary! Every day I am so thankful for him…for our lives together, for our children and for our love…I am SO blessed!!! He’s a great father, amazing husband, faithful friend and ADORING grandfather…and I am SO lucky to call him MINE and shout to the world how much I love him and share just how thankful I am to have him as MINE!!!

So…without further ado…here is my family…I love them all so very much and am so proud of all of them…they are the best and I wouldn’t be the person I am without them…they are part of me and my life wouldn’t be the same without them!! (P.S. there might be an overload of photos, but I figure I’m allowed to do that…to brag about how great my family is and how great they all look!!!

My wish for each and every one of you is a holiday filled with love and joy, family, friends and great memories…treasure what you have and appreciate each and every day to the fullest!