I like it when I meet people with a story; something that defines who they are and how they started. I love hearing how they met and the more interesting the story is, the better. As I've spent more and more time with Danni and Zach between their client meetings and a few hours shooting them, I have discovered that they had several stories. I've felt like a little child sitting in the corner story time area as a fairytale was laid out before me. Everything between them contains a sentiment and an explanation. They've grasped on to the details over the years that they've known each other and the five years that they've dated. And when it came time for their shoot, we all thought it would be fun to capture some of their story as well.
See their whole shoot here in their slideshow and, yes, the songs were from their second and fourth year of dating…they have one for each year they've been together.
Danni wore her grandmother's bracelet that was a gift to her a few years back. I love how she styled it with this amazing shirt from Anthropologie (sorry ladies, they don't sell it anymore, I checked!).
When had begun dating, Danni and Zach used to walk to this park in their neighborhood to hang out all the time. It became a meeting point and then it became theirs.
They met there so much that they named it (more on the journal drawing later in the post).
As they were swinging and telling me old stories from different trips here; they told me that this is one place they have never kissed. I think it's sacred and special that they've kept it this way all this time. AND I'm super glad they told me before I had them make out for their photos!
He still tried though :).
But Danni held her ground and Zach pulled out a few of his other tricks.
Which she let him do.
Something I've learned is that Zach is insanely creative. When they told me that he proposed with a video that he made himself using legos, I made them bring them to our shoot. He also wrote and performed the song that accompanies it. Check it out here.
Next, we headed over to another favorite spot of mine. When we were discussing the look and feel, I knew this would be the place for them. I love how they are all smooshed together like one little entity in this photo.
He just loves her.
I love her hair. I want it. I love her eyes, they are so beautiful. And let's talk about her skin. Flawless. This girl did not take a bad picture all day.
Serenading Danni on the cigar box guitar that he made. It sounded awesome…I couldn't believe he made it.
I wonder what she is telling him here.
Who knew I would fall in love with an old, rotten log?
Danni, you are beautiful. Zach, you're not so bad yourself!
I showed Danni the photo on the right right after I took it and she got so excited that it made Zach blush. That's what I'm talkin' about :).
One of my favorites of the day. This deserves to be a huge canvas on their wall, don't you think?
Zach made this journal for Danni a few years ago and each of the pages represented different parts of their relationship.
Thank you Danni and Zach for sharing so much of who you are with me!
