Sean and I love to learn about our couples so that we can incorporate who they are into their engagement sessions.  When I started planning things out with Ashlee, she sent me a description of them that said “Ashlee loves pink, coach purses, shoes, etc…Ben is a farmer, hunter, and fisherman! Ashlee has to learn to love farming, tractors, etc. and Ben has to learn to shop, buy pink things, and understand why I need more than one coach bag!”  LOL!  They really could not be more different and yet it’s completely adorable just how much these two love each other and want to make the other happy! :o)  It’s so nice to see two people with big, polar-opposite personalities and no desire to change who the other person is.   

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Ben’s family farm was the perfect backdrop!

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Since my two favorites for this post are far away, here’s a third so you can see their bright, shining faces. :o)

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This is probably my favorite from the entire shoot!  Sean quite frequently sees these killer compositions and executes them in just such a way that it makes me totally envious – seriously, why didn’t I see this?? ;o)  

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Thanks for inviting us into your home and sharing your farm with us!  It was great to see you guys again! :o)

We put it off and put it off attempting to avoid the cold but wouldn’t you know we were just destined for it??  On the very last day of cold weather, we all came to grips with our fate and braved the temperatures! :o)  Lauren and Billy were awesome and we’re so excited to be photographing their wedding this year!  Here are a few images from their session that are up for consideration for their Save the Date cards.  Want to help Lauren decide which one to use? :o)

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Thanks for being so great you guys!  We had a blast hanging out and can’t wait to see you again soon!

I am usually entirely too impatient to grow out my hair.  Every few months I run into my hair stylist, Ben, and adamantly exclaim, “It’s got to go!  Chop it all off!  Do whatever you want – just do something drastic!”  (Yes, with Ben I have complete, blind trust – but that’s beside the point.  Getting back on track…)  A couple of years ago I decided to commit to long hair.  I pushed through my neuroses and grew an outrageous amount of hair.  It was great until one day, I discovered that it was no longer doing a thing for me – no style, no body – it was just hanging there – it had to go!  This is where Locks of Love comes in.  I’ve heard about this organization for a long time but never really knew the details.  They are doing such an amazing thing providing wigs for sick children so I thought I would share my experience in hopes that some of you out there might be encouraged to give your hair the next time you need a drastic change as well.

First, I never knew exactly how much hair they needed.  The answer:  10 inches.  Your hair can be layered; the longest layer just need to be 10 inches.

Second, I always thought that I wouldn’t be eligible to give because I have my hair colored.  This is not the case.  From what I understand, it used to be, but they are in such need of donations that they now accept color-treated hair.  Bleached hair or hair in dreadlocks are the only kinds they can’t use.  If you’re uncertain whether your hair would be considered “bleached”, ask your stylist.  

Third, it’s so easy to donate!  Just visit the Locks of Love website and you’ll find the address.  You basically just stick your ponytail in a bag and a padded envelope and mail it in.  No forms to fill out or anything like that. 

I know there are a lot of brides out there who grew their hair out for their wedding and are looking to cut it off when they get back from the honeymoon.  I encourage you to donate your hair to such a worthy cause.  When I went to get my hair cut, the donation requirement was about 3-4 inches shorter than I had originally planned on going.  However, my hair grows, and by going a little shorter for a while, what I cut off can make a child happy instead of just going in the trash.  I share this with you so that you might consider doing the same the next time you go to the stylist.  It’s well worth it and I actually really like my shorter hair.  What can I say?  Ben is fabulous! ;o)

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