Dayton Weddings | Echo by Design | Wedding + Portrait Photography

..Chris + Lilly | A Farm Engagement..

I met them at Lilly’s house. They had just been engaged and were starting to plan for their big day. We talked about my style and how I like to make it comfortable and romantic. We talked about the flow of their day and what they were most looking forward to. They couldn’t wait to see each other the day of the wedding. We discussed a first look, and when I began to describe the more intimate the moment could be, Lilly looked at Chris with tears in her eyes. She had just envisioned seeing her groom for the very first time, and the tears came. For me that moment was bittersweet. I say I want to work with couples in love, but just not any couple. The couple that exemplifies the heartfelt feelings that come alongside love.

I walked away that day knowing that Chris + Lilly had something special. {I for one can not wait until their wedding day.} After dating for 3 years, Chris proposed to Lilly after a movie one night. In the cold winter wind of January he asked Lilly to be his one and only for the rest of his life. She had no problem saying yes and knew that she wouldn’t want to spend it with anyone other than Chris.

So here we are just a few months away from their October wedding and they still have those butterfly feelings. Not more than 2 minutes into the session as I asked them to look at one another, Lilly welled up with tears. Just the thought of becoming Chris’ wife was enough to make her heart happy. After the tears came laughter, and boy could he make her laugh!

Because Chris + Lilly have been around the farm life growing up, they knew they wanted to make the session all about that! So we had fun bouncing around the yard of a family friend and then moved on to a local hay bail field!

Chris + Lilly, I know your day is going to be filled with magical moments, happiness, and of course plenty of joyous tears! I can not wait to spend the day with you! Congratulations again, October is coming fast.

..HEARTFELT FEELINGS..

love, echo

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..Torin + Natasha Part II | A Minnesota Lake Wedding..

This is the place were it all happened. The family cabin on the lake. It provides both fun and peace. It provides loons with a place to make their nest. And it provided and became Torin + Natasha’s sacred place of memories. In June 2011, Tasha had come with her friend, Anika to the lake house. Anika introduced Tasha to Torin, as he had come in from Texas to spend some time with the family. Tasha remembers, As soon as we met, I was intrigued by him. I knew he was something special that hadn’t been discovered yet. So I {for the 1st time} pursued him! After having a blast at the cabin, she knew she had to see if there was something more there. She flew to Texas and needless to say they hit it off!

About a year into them dating, Torin knew that Natasha was the one for him. He decided to propose where it all began. The cabin. They had all been outside having a bonfire, when they as a couple decided to move to the dock. They were talking, listening to water as it lapped under them. I’m sure there was a serenade from the crickets, with the stars over head. They talked and talked. Eleven came. Midnight came. One came. There on the edge of the dock, he decided it was time. He asked his sweet Natasha if she would forever be his wife. She of course said yes! She remembered, Then he expected me to sleep that night!

When the wedding plans began, they knew that it was more than fitting for their ceremony to be held on the lake. It was were it all began. Their ..Ceremony.. turned out beautifully and the weather cooperated and held off all day. After the ceremony concluded, the guests were guided on to the reception so that we could capture the amazing union that had just taken place. Torin, Natasha, + their fabulous bridal party hung in there with me as my shutter finger delighted in my surroundings! It wasn’t easy for all of us with the hundreds of mosquitos that were constantly attacking us! {At one point I had 4 on my foot, but sacrificed their bite for a shot!} They kept telling themselves that it was all worth it, and it was!!

We moved on the reception to be with their guests! We moved on to a fabulous meal, bittersweet toasts, and the new couple’s first dance! We even took the opportunity to pull away and have fun with some light painting!! Enjoy!

Mr. + Mrs. Erickson!!! I know I’ve thanked you a thousand times and more, but I couldn’t have been more honored to share in this special time of your life. What amazing families you both have, your both blessed beyond measure to have that support! I wish you all the happiness in the world and I pray a multitude of providence over your marriage. Congratulations to you both again and I am so happy to have gained such awesome friends!!

..WHERE IT ALL BEGAN..

love, echo

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..Torin + Natasha | A Minnesota Lake Wedding..

My plane touched down in Brainerd, Minnesota and I could hardly wait to spend the weekend with Torin + Natasha. We had multiple emails back and forth, a couple of skype dates, and some lovely phone calls. We had yet to meet each other. I wasn’t worried though, we had already become friends. We had traveled through a year of planning together and we were all more than ready to meet in person!!

Although they were wrapped up in rehearsal and all of their evening plans, I scouted and kept a close eye on the weather for the next day! A huge storm was moving through and I could only pray that Torin + Natasha had a beautiful day. {Not to mention my selfishness in wanting all the pictures I planned out in my head!!} It poured, all night. When morning came, I bee-lined to my computer to check the weather. Clouds overhead, calling for scattered storms, but the radar was clear!

I walked down the hall to Natasha’s room while she was finishing up on her makeup. She popped out of her seat and came over to give me the biggest hug! I felt like we were life-long friends that hadn’t seen each other in 10 years. I looked at her and even without her dress on, she was stunning. She went back to getting her makeup done and I grabbed all of the sweet details of her attire!

It wasn’t long before I headed out to the cabin! The hustle and bustle was well under way as I was greeted by Torin + Tasha’s pup, Wesson. The florist was even putting on the finishing touches of the alter arrangement, which happened to have the pheasant feathers from one of Torin’s hunts. It was all starting to come together. I met up with Torin in his neighbor’s cabin, and gave him a hug greeting as well. We got them dressed and had the opportunity to take them out and get some portraits {coming in Part II} before the ceremony began. Meanwhile, Tasha was arriving at the family cabin with her maids. So it was her time to slip into her very chic lace slit gown. There was just enough time to gather a few last minute portraits of her before the ceremony began!

Outside, the weather was perfect and the storm clouds stayed away. A slight humidity in the air, but a subtle breeze helped keep the heat at bay. Guests began to group and the mosquito spray was being passed around, along with mini water bottles to stay cool. Everyone took their seats as the music began, and Torin made his way down the aisle with the Pastor. A grin from ear to ear on his face. He didn’t have to wait long to see Natasha with their intimate bridal party, so when he did his eyes were stuck on her from the moment she walked out the door. Her father proudly bringing her out to show her off to her groom. She sweet smile became shy and the short aisle brought them together quickly.

They opened up in prayer as the lake sat quiet. Surprisingly so, but appreciated! Torin + Tasha wanted it all to be simple. They wrote their own vows and as they read them to each other, they each had their moment of reality. Tasha choked back tears as she recomposed herself. Their Pastor then shared a few of his 5 year old rules that in turn applied to a married couple, play nice, say your sorry, and share. He kept the ceremony light hearted and threw in a few good reasons to laugh! With that short few moments of events, he officially declared that Torin + Natasha were husband and wife! They shared in their first kiss and was then showered in rose petals as they walked down the aisle as husband + wife!!

Torin + Natasha!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to come capture your beautiful Minnesota lake wedding!! I can’t wait to show you Part II, as there is so much more beauty to come!

..SIMPLE..

love, echo

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..Patrick III “Trey” | Columbus Newborn Photographer..

Two years ago, I had the sweet opportunity to photograph Rosa + Patrick’s wedding in Cleveland! Sweet little Angelica was only three months old, and since then I have the opportunity to photograph their family! When Rosa contacted me and said she was pregnant with a sweet little boy, I knew he was going to be a cutie to die for! They did not disappoint!!

Patrick Warren Arquette III was born on Thursday, June 13th at 11:18 a.m.! He was 21 inches long and weighed 7.5 pounds, with a head full of hair. {It is absolutely beautiful and I couldn’t wait to see it in person!} Because he is Patrick III, they are lovingly calling him Trey, and Rosa couldn’t be more excited that he is here! Even though she had a great pregnancy with Gellie the first time around, Trey’s pregnancy had her sick and losing weight. She said it was no wonder when all he likes to do is eat!! I just wanted to have a happy and healthy baby boy.

Intrigued by birth stories, I got a real laugh out of Rosa’s! Here is Trey’s story, I had Trey via c section and as they were prepping me for surgery, Patrick had to wait in the recovery room until we were all ready to start. As Patrick is waiting, he met the OB who was going to do my c section. She introduced herself and he told did the same. She asked him what we were naming the baby and he said Patrick the third. She then came into the OR and told me that she met my husband and asked me what we were naming the baby, I told her Patrick the third. She asked me how to spell that, my nurse Jill and I looked at each other with a silly expression on our faces. Jill then said, “you don’t know how to spell Patrick”? My OB then began to laugh and explained that she thought we were naming him Ketchup and that his name was going to be Ketchup the third. She thought Patrick was saying ketchup the entire time she was talking to him. When Trey was being born, she told me that, “Ketchup” has a lot of hair”. His new name “Ketchup” was the joke of labor and delivery and the maternity ward. {I can just imagine what that OB was thinking when she thought Rosa + Patrick were naming their son Ketchup…}

She went on to say, Trey was very stubborn and wouldn’t come out. It took 3 people to get on top of me in order to get him out. I hope that isn’t a sign of what is too come, lol. I felt such relief when I heard him cry for the first time. I felt joy, excitement and nervousness after I had him. Patrick expressed these thoughts, I felt joy, love, excitement and nervousness as Trey was being brought into this world. We are bringing a new life into the world and that’s always a blessing.

Patrick continued, Being a father is a tough job and I work everyday to be the best father I can be to my children. Angelica has been such a good big sis too. Rosa gushed, She is so sweet with him. She loves to give him kisses and help me with him. The way she interacts with him just melts my heart. At night she will say “Good night baby, love you” and she has to give him a kiss. Her love for her brother is undeniable. I was a little nervous as to how she would react with her new brother but she is doing wonderful. I couldn’t of asked for a better big sister for Trey. We truly are blessed to have two such beautiful and healthy children in our lives.

I am beyond thrilled for the both of you and the expansion of your gorgeous family! Enjoy these precious memories of him being only a week old!

Patrick + Rosa! Thank you for inviting me into your home to capture these sweet memories of Trey, I adored every minute that I had the chance to cuddle him! I pray blessings over your family and your future sleep as he continues to grow 🙂

..BLACK HAIR..

love, echo

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..jordan | six months..

Remember this sweet little guy? He was beloved and called ..Sweet Pea.. and then when he was born in early December, I had the chance to photograph him at ..2 weeks old..! I can hardly believe it has already been 6 months since he was born!! Well, seven now… Still. It only goes to show that the first year of life {and even those that follow} go by way to fast.

We had the opportunity to get together in Dayton and have a mini session with Jordan and his amazing parents, Curtis + Kelly! {And of course their little angel Jessie, represented by Pooh Bear, was with us in spirit.} They wanted to capture Jordan at 6 months and also celebrate both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with some pictures of their family! We had a great time together and although it was humid, everyone enjoyed themselves! {I could have squeezed his little cheeks all day!!}

Here is what Mr. Man Jordan has been up to in the words of Kelly! Jordan is such a happy baby! We love that he is always laughing and smiling. His laugh is so contagious! One of my favorite characteristics is when he gets really serious and you can tell he is trying to figure out how something works or why that toy makes that noise. He’s so much like his daddy! Curtis said, I love how Jordan is interacting with me and others. He laughs, he talks, and he gets really excited (most of the time when it’s time to eat 😉 {Which I did get to experience and candidly photograph!}

Our life has changed in so many ways in the last six months. From less sleep to feeling so much love. Our world revolves around our children and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Jordan and Jessie have brought so much joy, love, and laughter to our lives. We feel so blessed to be parents to two amazing children!

Because Curtis + Kelly are such dear friends of ours, I told her that it went by too fast. Too soak up every minute. Kelly said, I know that over the next six months my baby is going to grow up even more. If I could I would want time to stand still for a little bit so I can treasure these moments even more because time is just flying by. Since I can’t make time stand still, we both agree that we love watching him grow. We love seeing his personality develop and continue to reach milestones. Curtis is excited for Jordan to become more mobile. {I have to say I laughed with that one!} Kelly went on to say, Mommy is ok without these happening soon, I just want him to be my baby forever.

Curtis, Kelly, Jessie, + Jordan! You have such a sweet little family! Your already almost through Jordan’s first year of life and I pray that the next half is just as good, if not better than the first! Much love to all of you and I can’t wait to see those handsome little cheeks again 🙂

..SWEET CHEEKS..

love, echo

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echoes of love