I met Michael six and a half years ago in a small group on Thursday nights right after Derrick and I first moved to Arizona. It's crazy to me that we've lived here that long; that we've had friends that we've been able to build such amazing relationships with. I adore that kind of knowing that you can gain in friends over so much time.
When we all got to meet Michael's new girlfriend, Sarah, last year, we instantly knew she was great. She's a genuine kind of girl. What you see is what you get and I really love that about her. I also love that she gets a bit giddy everytime she talks about her boy, which she does quite a bit :).
During their shoot I felt like we were all able to just be with one another and it made for fantastic photos. Michael was beyond sweet to his lady all day; opening her car door, walking next to her with his hand on the small of her back, sitting next to her with his hand on her knee and often offering sweet kisses even without the camera aimed. And I was the lucky one to witness such a sweet love evident by the sparkle in Sarah's eye everytime he did.
Click here to view the rest of their photos from their day (I actually teared up when I watched this after I made it. And yes, I realize that I'm cheesy enough to cry at something I made myself…gees).
I was head over heals in love with some of our locations. I headed out super early and was greeted by a Jazz Festival that was going on in the same neighborhood that we were shooting in. I felt like the music and the buzz of the crowds inspired me to look a little deeper into what was around me. Maybe I need to strap on my ipod and load up the jazz every time I go scouting, huh?
I really, really like Sarah's tattoos. She's a really amazing chef (I've tasted her food and I really do mean amazing) and has reflected her passion with vegetables onto her arm. I love how organic it is, literally ;).
Rose bushes and orange trees kissed with a little bit of light. I really need a back yard so I can have my own.
Sarah, you are beautiful. You cannot take a bad picture…I had such a hard time narrowing them down!
Look at those blue eyes.
And hers too!
And Sarah, how could I have not mentioned your hair yet? Ugh. …a good ugh.. I adore your color and am jealous of those curls! Beautiful.
The background of this photo was almost a little Christmassy, but I still loved it.
I felt like I was in northern Michigan here…but nope, just Phoenix :).
See? Oranges. Definitely not Michigan.
Thanks Michael and Sarah! I had such an amazing evening with you!!!!
