AARON + ANNA

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Connor & Co. and I were itching to play around with lots of florals since all of the greens from spring rains were starting to pop through this dreadfully dead season we've been in lately. We popped into Fresh Market and got lots of pretty colors to use and spent the day making the arrangements and bouquet.

Aaron and Anna were available to come hang out with us and fight off all the summer bugs for a few hours and boy were we glad! Their chemistry was unbelievable. Not needing any direction from us, they became one together in their movements right before my very eyes. I WAS IN LOVE.

Having been recently married, their love poured outwards even more than I had originally planned to shoot. But I wasn't going to stop them. Sometimes when you just feel it, you go with it. No matter what. And 9 times out of 10, it turns out way better than you anticipated.

Wall Doxey State Park was our "backyard" for this bright and intimate Spring Inspired Elopement. One of my favorite places to shoot.

I had an absolute blast getting to know Aaron and Anna this evening. They made me feel like a cool kid.

One thing I wanted to capture with this styled shoot was the emotion and chemistry between a couple and their interactions to bring out the heart gripping feelings when you're in the presence of someone you love deeply. Anna and Aaron made that extremely easy for me. I love the happy and joyous moments but I also love the soft and serene moments between two people. Every marriage has both along with many other moments. It isn't easy, but its worth it when those hard times pass. There is nothing greater than going through life and all of its curveballs with someone who knows you inside and out better than you know yourself.

URBAN KIDZ

It's Tuesday. The sun is shining, and I'm pretty tired of sitting inside. My kids have been sure to let me know, too.

You know what, guys? Yeah. Let's go exploring.

We trotted along the streets of Memphis and happened upon some awesome buildings with enough room to let them loose. They had an absolute blast! They fight often but they're best friends. No doubt in my mind.

I think it takes a very special person to be a mom to boys. They are one, wild ride. The most adventurous little beings I have ever seen. I imagine all kids are this way but I have never seen a pair of boys who love jumping off of any plato they can reach as much as these two. I think my favorite part about today was listening to them in the backseat while I'm driving to and from each place we stopped. The laughing and giggling and eventually snorting, they were laughing so hard! Over NOTHING!

Boys are tough. I know some may disagree with me but boys are so rambunctious. They have an unlimited supply of energy. Makes me wish, sometimes, I was a boy, haha. There are quiet moments and they are rare, but it usually means they are up to no good.

For those of you who don't know me personally, the tall lanky one is Braylen Gage. He is 6 years old and loves Superheroes and Ninja Turtles. And being a super ninja turtle hero. The short chunky monkey is Joseph Aiden (goes by Aiden). He is 3 years old and loves Paw Patrol and Thomas the Train. And anything Braylen loves. He is a monkey see, monkey do kinda kid. Gotta love 'em.

I saw the many stages of "Brotherly Love" today as well.
"Hey Aiden! Come over here and look at this!"
"Aiden, go look over there for something."
*sigh of irritation* "Aiden stop following me."
"Aiden! Are you okay!"
"Mama! Aiden is picking up that stick."

You'd never know that they didn't get along from the pictures because they had an absolute blast today. (And I wasn't necessarily shooting when I was having to separate them haha) There are days where Braylen wants to be independent and I try to let him have his independence from time to time because I want him to be able to depend on himself naturally and enjoy being on his own, so I tend to keep Aiden on a tighter leash around me. There are also days where I can't separate them far enough from each other to get anything done! HA. Lunch together in the living room unattended? Nope. That lunch will be scarfed down by the dog and Aiden will have found some activity that allows him to be pants-less. Simple coloring and coloring books? Not a chance. Crayons will be shoved into the Mega Blocks and couch cushions and lots of tiny "A's" (Aiden has learned how to write an A) up and down the hallway walls.

I wouldn't trade being a mom to boys, for anything. They have told me some of the funniest stories I have ever heard. I'd give anything to live inside their world for a whole day.