I can pretty much determine within the first five minutes of meeting someone if we are going to click! Even though it was the first time I was meeting Jessie and Brad in person (we had only talked once on the phone) I knew going into their engagement session we were all going to get along perfectly! They are both very invested in their wedding photography and excited about the journey towards their big day! When a bride and a groom are excited about their photos it makes me even more delighted to capture each moment for them. Jessie and Brad live in Peoria, Illinois and are getting married this November in Quincy, Illinois where family and friends are from. But, for the engagement photos they wanted to go someplace, that was new and interesting to them! Quite adventurous, right? Based on what they were looking for we settled on Washington Park in Springfield, Illinois to visit for their e-session! Jessie started out in a lovely navy dress with adorable bell sleeves and Brad was in matching navy pants with a collared shirt and red and navy striped tie. They have an amazing classic style between the two of them! Love it! We began around the gazebo as the sun was slowing falling behind the trees and the connection Jessie and Brad have with one another shined through fairly quickly. They are sweet with one another and there is a playfulness between the pair which was wonderful to witness! Brad has a way at looking at Jessie to entice her joyful smile with a little crinkle in her nose! Insanely adorable! Although they are having a fall wedding and booked their e-session for September believing it would show off the fall weather they both adore, the temps that evening were in the 90s! So we had a laugh a few times as we wandered about the park wiping the sweat away that it clearly did not feel like fall! Especially when Brad and Jessie changed outfits to finish up our time together and he had to put on a sweater! Yet, he’s an awesome guy and threw on the sweater in the heat because he knew it would make his lady happy! 

We headed over to the Botanical Gardens of the park for a few last photos before the sun went down. Jessie and Brad, even though they were warm, had no problem snuggling in with each other and taking the time to enjoy these more relaxed moments before the big day. Another reason I love working with my couples at their engagement session is that I really get to sense their personalities. They can be together without the pressure and craziness of the wedding day surrounding them. They can just be in each other’s arms and breathe in every second of the session. Jessie and Brad did just that and I’m pretty positive they will take the time on the wedding day to remember it’s simply a day in a lifetime of marriage. I’m thrilled to be a part of this whole adventure with them! 

Warm Regards, 
Lauren

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