Before I start to tell you about this wonderful couple, I have to tell you how excited and privileged I am to be able to photograph my friends’ weddings and engagements.  Last year was the first time I had that opportunity and I am so thrilled to be able to do it again this year, especially because Tina and I go way back.  All the way back to high school…and I would tell you how long ago that was but I prefer to let you think that it was only a few short years ago, so we’ll leave it that way :).  And now comes the time when I embarrass my friend on my blog….here is a picture of Tina and I at our high school graduation.  (Tina you can thank me later).

Ahhh…so young and naive.  Now we’re older, hopefully wiser, married/almost married and we’ve given up our cool hispanic names: Sanchez and Rodriguez and traded them in for Chookaszian and Dodds!

With that said, you can imagine how fun it was for me to shoot their engagement session!  We had such a great time, it went by so fast!  So now about Tina and Grant.  Tina met her lovely beau in college…he was her RA and they’ve been dating ever since!  What I love most about Grant is the way he makes Tina smile.  He still looks at her with that same excitement as when they first started dating.  Tina makes Grant more goofy…actually, I’m not sure who makes who more goofy.  They are just so perfect for each other I can’t tell.  See for yourself!

They were being so silly they ALMOST made it hard for me to get some serious shots!  Isn’t she gorgeous?! I love this next shot because it shows how carefree Tina is around Grant.

Tina and Grant are getting married at Morton Arboretum, which if you haven’t been there, you should totally check it out!  We decided since the arboretum is so big, we would get shots on the side where the wedding wouldn’t be held.  To our fun surprise the arboretum was having a sculpture exhibit.  We found this beauty on top of one of the hills!

It couldn’t have been more perfect!  Of all the things the sign could have said…”nature, plants, recycle…etc” it said “YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL”!!!  I told them I had them set it up for us just for the shoot….well, I only WISH I could take credit for it! 

I LOVE this shot (no pun intended…) because it shows off Tina’s very unique engagement ring.  If you look closely you’ll see she didn’t go for the  traditional diamond.

Tina and Grant, I can’t WAIT to shoot your wedding!  Stay tuned to my facebook fan page for more pictures coming VERY soon, promise!