​It’s always fun when you just click. Like yes, totally between a couple absolutely – in fact, it’s a must. But when you just click with the couple you’re photographing? Love it! This is exactly how we felt when we met up with Kayley and Isaiah at Afton State Park a few weeks back for their engagement photos. We had previously met Kayley when we photographed her dad marrying her stepmom (You can see their fun backyard wedding with all the beautiful horses here.), but we had not met Isaiah besides a zoom call… and yet, it felt like we already had.

We first met these two pre-COVID for their adventure engagement photos at Afton State Park (It even included fishing!). They were ahead of the game, already planning an intimate elopement in the Colorado mountains for their wedding day the following year. But their plans for a reception? It got pushed around with all the things we all went through in the last year plus, so they settled on having a wedding reception here in Stillwater, Minnesota, for those near and dear to their hearts right after their one year anniversary.

A vow renewal ceremony or wedding vow reaffirmation ceremony is defined by Wikipedia as “a ceremony in which a married couple renew or reaffirm their marriage vows.” It sounds pretty straight forward, but I think every married couple would say that each and every day, continuing to love and cherish one another in all circumstances can get challenging. I remember getting engaged and having so many older couples telling us that marriage is really hard, and you won’t always be in the happy-go-lucky stage. While I get what they were saying, it was quite a downer for a bride-to-be. Yes, there are hard times, and yet, there is nothing better than seeing a couple grow past the first year or two of marriage and still see them saying, “I choose you.” Tom and Lezlie are one of these couples that show joy and continued commitment ten years into marriage. They chose to surround themselves with those closest to them and once again privately yet publicly say, “I choose you.”

There's something uber cute about almost two year old little girls. The fun summer dresses, the golden light as the sun touches the earth, and all the energy -- knowing full well about the special attention and staying up past the normal bedtime. And did I mention the fact that if you add bubbles, it just makes it all the more fun? Little Gia, you were absolutely precious as you explored Afton State Park. Thanks for the chance to capture you at this stage for your upcoming birthday!

We first met the Hobbs when our oldest was like 6 months old. He's now 6 years old, so to say that we've had the chance to watch this precious family grow right alongside our family grow is an understatement. It's been such a privilege and we love seeing the specialness of their relationships, the family games that they play to make each other giggle, and how the kids grow each year. Hobbs Family, thanks for another fun evening out in nature hanging out while taking your family photos! It was fun to get to explore Afton State Park a bit this time around.