This story begins many years ago, in a local coffee shop where I first met Gage and Emily. They were in the planning stages for their September wedding.

I remember them being completely in love with each other and totally excited for their wedding day. We met on a Monday in April 2024 over coffee at The Farmhouse, spending an hour discussing how they met, how Gage proposed and going over all of their wedding details.

They had everything planned perfectly thanks to a lot of amazing people in their lives. Natalie Hackett, their wedding coordinator, kept the day flowing smoothly and when I arrived at Blooms ‘n Gardens on September 21, 2024 all I had to do was pick up my camera. The place was filled with beautiful decor, lush greenery lining the walls and floor to ceiling windows surrounding a wide expanse of tables and seating. White linens adorned the tables with eucalyptus, floating candles and lovely centerpieces.

I began the day in Emily’s getting ready room, where she was surrounded by her bridesmaids and family. She had spent the morning preparing for her ceremony with Gage, spending hours in the hair and makeup chairs. When I arrived, she was ready for her dress. An elegant fit-and-flare gown with an off-the-shoulder bardot neckline, romantic bishop sleeves, and waist-length veil. She stepped into the gown, with her mom helping and was soon ready for her first look with Gage.

After a tearful hug with her mom, we stepped out into the venue and made our way over to the aisle she would soon walk down to marry her love. We paused halfway down, taking a moment for Emily and Gage to soak in the scene. Emily slowly walked forward, Gage patiently waiting to see his beautiful bride. She reached his back, stretched out her hand and placed it on his shoulder. When he turned, he immediately gasped and covered his face with his hand. Emily stood before him, radiantly glowing on her wedding day. I let the moment last as long as we could allow, capturing their emotions from every angle.

From there, we transitioned straight into bridal party portraits and family portraits. Natalie kept the line moving from one portrait to the next with Emily and her bridesmaids going first followed by Gage and his groomsmen. Having a list to work from is tremendously helpful, and it’s one of the top priorities I give my clients during our first meeting. We are meeting people for the first time on wedding days, so being able to call out a name while a coordinator fetches the next in line is a system that works no matter what kind of timeline we follow.

After the portraits, Gage and Emily plus their bridal party were able to hide away when guests started arriving. Each row of chairs filled with family and friends to witness their marriage ceremony.

A hush fell over the crowd as the music transitioned into soft orchestral notes. The walks began down the aisle, with family leading the way. They took their seats of honor in the front row when the wedding party entered. Each bridesmaid and groomsmen took their places before it was Emily’s turn.

She stood in the back of the room, ready with her dad to make the march forward.

Everyone stood to their feet when the Bridal March began playing, looking back to watch Emily with her dad. They linked arms, and slowly walked forward. Gage looked on with awe and amazement, completely content and happy. Emily walked forward, keeping her eyes on Gage except for a moment looking toward her dad who had become overwhelmed with emotion as he walked his daughter down the aisle.

As they reached the front, the officiant invited everyone to take their seats as the music came to a close. He opened the ceremony with prayer and I always take that opportunity to scan the crowd while eyes are closed. Emily’s mom, who had just watched her husband walk their daughter down the aisle, sat proudly in that front row and raised her hand in praise during that prayer. I love moments like this, because so few witness them. Eyes are closed, and the only proof that they happened exactly that way are the photos that I capture.

The prayer concluded and the ceremony took place. Vows were exchanged, promises made to each other for a future they both planned for together. Rings are an important part of the wedding ceremony, a symbol of never ending love and devotion. Gage and Emily placed each ring on one another and promised forever together.

Gage and Emily’s officiant declared them husband and wife, inviting Gage to kiss his bride. Stepping forward, he wrapped his arms around his new wife and pulled her in for their first kiss as husband and wife. Cheers erupted from the crowd and they turned to greet everyone. The officiant presented Mr. & Mrs. Kinsey and the applause was exuberant as they walked back down their aisle together.

My time with them came to a close hours later, after eating, cutting their cake and dancing. It was a night full of fun memories, but this story doesn’t end there.

It picks back up on June 9, 2026 when Gage reaches out for a family portrait session. They welcomed a baby girl on May 22, 2026 and I immediately flashed back to their wedding day. Seeing Emily’s dad walking her down the aisle played back in my mind. No doubt Gage was cradling his daughter just like Emily’s dad had done after she was born.

I walked into their home with a warm welcome. Emily was holding baby Amelia in her arms when something caught my eye. To my left, displayed prominently on their wall was one of their photos from their wedding day. Both of them smiling and looking directly into the camera. Emotions overtook me and I couldn’t help but shed a joyful tear. In their living room, proudly displayed, was the very reason I love photography. Amelia would one day look at this photo of her parents, see the love they shared before she was alive and know that she was part of a family that truly cherished her presence.

Emily arose from her seat and gave me a warm hug. Amelia’s tiny figure nestled into her mom. I immediately began working on her first set of photos. I had found some inspiration on Pinterest using flowers and a small box to sit her inside. Gage and I discussed a few styled sets for Amelia and we agreed on this set up for Amelia’s closeups.

I wanted the focus to land all on Amelia and her precious features, so I layered a soft pink and white polka dot fabric with an ivory floral gown, her tiny hand tucked inside the sleeve resting just beneath her cheek. Blush and white blooms surrounded her on every side, with soft greenery breaking up the color.

After tucking Amelia safely inside the box, I began photographing her delicate face. Emily and Gage sat nearby and encouraged their daughter to smile for her first portraits. It didn’t take long before the cutest grin flashed across Amelia’s face. I was completely taken in by her cuteness, capturing several different angles.

As I work through these sets, I’m reminded of the photo albums that sit on my own shelves at home. My family and I pull them out periodically to flip through our memories. I’ve heard it often said that the days are long but the years are short and I often cringed at the mention of this phrase, but as my own children have gotten older I realize that it holds a bittersweet truth. Gage and Emily are in the phase of raising children that involves midnight diaper changes and feeding that seems to stretch on forever. I remember well the delirium that came from those sleepless early months.

I have those thoughts in mind as I’m snapping photos of Amelia, snuggling my own babies, and it brings back such warm feelings despite the pure exhaustion that surrounds those early months. I imagine the albums that Amelia will one day flip through with her parents. She’ll gaze with wonder at her tiny figure asleep, marveling that she was ever that small.

I finish her first set of photos when I pull Gage and Emily into a fun pose holding their daughter. They gaze at her, wonder filling both of their eyes as Amelia nestles into Gage’s arms. Emily leans in close, gracefully cradling her daughter’s head in her hand. I studied this scene with intentional focus, letting my eyes sweep over all three of them as I looked for the best angle to display their love. That’s when I noticed something profound: two rings exchanged in front of family and friends, displayed prominently while holding their precious girl. The last time I saw Gage and Emily, they had just become husband and wife, exchanging those very bands. In this quiet moment in their living room, though, they weren’t just husband and wife. They were Mom and Dad, a title they wore with absolute pride. As they both cooed at Amelia, proclaiming their love, the brightest smile flashed across Amelia’s face.

From there, we moved into Amelia’s nursery, ready to capture her surrounded by the room her parents had prepared just for her. A rocking chair sat in the corner, framed by soft quilts and blankets. I guided Emily into the chair while Gage gently placed Amelia into her arms. Emily pulled Amelia close to her face and began whispering sweet words to her daughter. She slept peacefully in her mother’s arms while I captured the moment.

After a few quiet minutes with Emily, Gage stepped in for his turn. He cradled Amelia against his chest, and she settled right into him.

As that set came to a close, I pulled Emily into the frame behind the rocking chair and had them both look at Amelia. Gage and Emily spoke softly to their daughter, whispering sweet words as she rested tenderly in their arms.

My closing idea came together during this moment. I saw the wedding bands on each of their hands and realized that these were the bands that created this scene. I had Gage position his left hand against Amelia’s back and instructed Emily to lay hers on top of Gage’s.

I let the moment breathe, encouraging Gage and Emily to sit in the silence.

The session had wound down, fully documented and deeply felt.

Amelia, with the bands that started it all.