Elyse and Kerry reached out to me about capturing their patriotic engagement session to share the news with friends and family. I was just over the moon when I found out that Kerry had served and wanted to incorporate his career and love of our country into their engagement. It was also my first engagement session where we incorporated the good ole’ star spangled banner into our session and boy oh boy did I have plenty of fun ideas!
Elyse and Kerry reached out to me about capturing their patriotic engagement session to share the news with friends and family. I was just over the moon when I found out that Kerry had served and wanted to incorporate his career and love of our country into their engagement. It was also my first engagement session where we incorporated the good ole’ star spangled banner into our session and boy oh boy did I have plenty of fun ideas!
I knew for their session, I wanted a very American styled venue. I love the white planks, green shutters, and tall white columns of the Cypress Grove Estate House along with the lush greenery surrounding it. Our session started off with a more dressy look as we wandered around the garden. After spending some time dancing under the marketing lighting and walking along the paths, we headed back to the car for a quick wardrobe change. Blue jeans for both, a hipster white shirt for Elyse, and a white collared shirt for Kerry complemented the focal point of the American flag they brought along. Wrapped in love and patriotism, the two snuggled up for a few more shots in front of the estate house and on the path leading up to it.
My sweethearts actually met back in high school through their best friends, but didn’t connect until later on in life when Kerry came back home on military leave. The two met up for a little date that turned into hours of talking and reminiscing. After hitting it off and picking things up where they left off, their friendship soon turned into a budding romance.
Elyse loves the way Kerry dances with her in the kitchen and other silly things he does to make her laugh. Towards the end of our session and periodically during, I always ask my couples if there are any key shots they want to grab. Elyse of course loving the way Kerry makes her laugh by dancing with her, asked for a quick and very adorable dancing photo at the very end. I love that Elyse loves the way Kerry makes her feel, and Kerry loves the way Elyse is so happy by how he cares for her. He also loves how excited she is about life and the way her smile lights up any room!
You may notice an array of sunflowers used in their session, from a bushel of freshly cut stems to paper sunflowers Elyse hand made for their engagement party and brought along for their engagement. Kerry actually proposed to Elyse in a sunflower field in Plant City and incorporating elements from their proposal was the perfect idea for their engagement session. While walking around the field, Kerry brought Elyse to the very middle. Dropping to one knee, he asked for Elyse’s hand in marriage. As Elyse reminisces, “I’m not sure what he said because I was crying, but I’m sure it was great!”
Venue: Cypress Grove Estate House
