What better place ...

to have an Engagement Session than on the shores of Lake Michigan.  St Joseph Michigan is such a cute little beach town ... you could spend the whole day window shopping, enjoying the great dining, riding the carousel, listening to live entertainment, grabbing a drink and pizza by the depot and watching a train roll in, cooling off in the splash pad, walking down by the pier, playing a little beach volleyball ... and then ending it with a front row seat to some of the most beautiful sunsets.

I love it when my bridal couples pic St Joe for their engagement session.  We can start up on the bluff ... there's plenty of great alleys and doorways and nooks and crannies to photograph in.  And then if we time it just right we can head down to the water and finish up ... some pics in the beach grass, along the pier or near the rocks ... and of course near the water - or IN the water if there are up for a little fun!

John and Jenny weren't shy at all to get a little wet and sandy, and we got some great shots because of it!  It's not all the time that you can just expect your clients to run out and take a plunge into Lake Michigan, but thanks to the heat wave we've been in for the past couple weeks, the water is so inviting :)  When we were done with pics, I even got in with them and we waded waist high while we talked about the details of their wedding day. 

When I saw that I Heart Faces photo challenge this week is WATER ... there was no doubt I had to enter something from this couple's session. As if there pics aren't gorgeous enough ... the two of them are darn right beautiful - from the inside out.  I'm not quite sure how Jenny fits a heart so big into such a tiny package,  and John is the poster child for 'how-to-treat-a-lady' {and your local dentist office} ... the perfect gentleman with a perfect smile :)   Though it's obvious that Jenny looks up to John ... I think he looks up to her too ;)  ... they are the perfect compliment to each other.  Starting out as High School Sweethearts, their love has grown and changed & developed and matured over the past nine years and they are finally ready to take the plunge into marriage ...  I know it will be as warm and inviting as the waters of Lake Michigan. 

In just a couple weeks they will be surrounded by their family and friends as they take their vows and become husband and wife ... and someone very special has a front row seat for the day - Jenny's grandmother fought a hard fight and went to be with Jesus over the weekend.  Though she won't be there in person, she will fill the day in spirit. A very special lady who has helped make Jenny the remarkable woman she is today ... she will be honored on August 6th.  I know she will be watching from above with a smile as big as the groom's, proud of her granddaughter and everything she's become ... and amid the laughter and cheer of the day ... grandma will be up there too, eyes closed and head back, with a big old belly laugh, celebrating this new chapter of Jenny and John's Love Story.  I feel privileged to be a part of this love filled day. 

You can head over and see what others have captured by clicking here