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Sami + JJ.

I’ve known Sami’s family for nearly a million years now. (Ok, maybe only like 15. But still.) Her aunt is one of my dearest friends, and was the first bride I ever photographed. That wedding was six years ago, and it’s amazing how these things come full circle. If you’d asked me then if I’d be doing this crazy thing that I love so much now full-time?! I guarantee that my answer would have been something along the lines of “Well, it would be cool, but I don’t think I’ll ever be good enough to put it into motion.” Here we are, six years and over 100 weddings later, and it’s happening. And it is good. Really good.

Sami and JJ got married in May this year in the exact same church where I shot that first wedding, but I was traveling when they tied the knot. While I wasn’t there to celebrate on the day with them, I think we all knew from the start that I would have to get them in front of my camera for a session that paid homage to both their pacific northwest adventuresome spirits and their beautiful formal ceremony. (Sami started out in a dress from Free People, then changed into the princess gown she wore at their wedding!) We had plans in place at least three times over the summer that fell through because of things like weather and health scares, but man. When plans A, B, and C don’t happen?! Plan D blows them clear out of the water. We chased the sunset on the last weekend in August out to Deception Pass and had a beautiful time. I think I can speak for all of us when I say it was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

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