Oh my gosh, you guys. I’m posting this blog from one of the least glamorous places on earth: the Target Starbucks/Food Concession place.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  Target is glamorous.  The food section is not.  At allllll.  There is currently a pig tailed little toddler who is sitting next to me screaming because she wants a blue ICEE instead of red (word to her mama: I totally feel you…she definitely asked for red before you ordered it and changed her mind after you delivered just to get under your skin.  Grrrrrr.) and it’s so crowded here that I had to scrunch myself between the dictator ICEE Queen and a stack of dirty garbage that someone left behind.  It smells like old nachos and I’m certain the bottom of my computer is going to be soaked in the butter from the popcorn that no matter how many of those little recycled napkins I use to wipe off, won’t go away.

So if it’s absolutely horrible, why am I here?  Because this bright red, florescent lit “cafe”, is the only place I could get to ALONE.  Somehow, by the grace of God, my mother-in-law offered to babysit at the perfect time.  I just got back from a 6 hour trip I made solo with the boys and dog and I am pooped.  Between keeping my eyes on the road and passing back snacks and toy excavators (no wait, dump trucks, no wait, cement mixers, no wait, front loaders….see Target mama next to me, I totally feel you.  I’ve got a toddler at home who changes his mind every second too!) I would say I totally earned this Target trip.  And because I’m completely obsessed with today’s shoot, I thought I’d sneak in a chance to post these pictures and share this couple with you before I drop at least a grand on toilet paper, clothes I don’t need, and household decor that I know won’t match anything in my house but it’s so cute I’ll buy it anyway.

Jen and Jimmy–the cutest of all time. I was thrilled when they asked me to shoot their engagement session, not only because they are gorgeous, but because I love any excuse to work near home.  For those that don’t know, Canandaigua is about 35 minutes outside of Rochester, NY.  Not far, but far enough for us suburban Finger Lakes kids to steer clear.  Actually, I take that back.  In high school I had a bunch of friends who ventured up to Tremors, the 18 and up dance club, masquerading the trip as a sleepover at some one’s house. But me being the rule follower (aka: wuss) I am, I never dared.  But recently I’ve been spending more time in Rochester and am really impressed with the area.  It has a really cool artistic vibe going on and is the mecca for hipsters and I’m totally into it.  So when we had to pick a venue for this engagement session, I had an idea to shoot at Good Luck Restaurant after eating dinner up there the week before.  The food is amazing and the charm and character of the restaurant can’t be beat.  Top that with the fact it’s where Jen and Jimmy spent a great deal of time early in their relationship and it doesn’t get much better.

I love these two.  Scratch that.  I absolutely adore these two, and this session has a special place in my little heart.  When I was in high school, I coached a Frank Banker little league cheerleading team filled with the cutest girls in the world.  One of those girls was Jen.  She was so spunky and so sweet and it was such a pleasure to watch her grow into the gorgeous girl that she is…and have I mentioned that she’s also brilliant and super successful?  Girl has it ALL.  I was thrilled this past winter when Jen posted that she got engaged while playing Cards Against Humanity to her future-hubs, Jimmy.   Adorable, right?  And let me tell you, these two are perfect for one another.  I don’t think I’ve been around a couple that makes each other smile more.  It made my heart so happy to see Jen so in love and get a chance to get to know Big Jim.

OK, I’d write more but that red ICEE just spilled next to me and I need to jet before it mixes with the popcorn butter and gets all over my computer.  I hope you all love this shoot as much as me!!!

I can still see that same sweet little green-sweater, pompom holding cheerleader in her smile.

Huge shout out to this guy.  Not only did Big Jim know how to work a camera, he is so nice and I plan on roping him and Jen into a trip to Genesee Country Museum with me sometime soon. Grab your water pals, guys! 😉 I mean…

Thank you for forcing me outside of Canandaigua and to the big city.  Thank you for being absolutely gorgeous.  And thank you for making my job so incredibly easy!  Big congratulations and so much love. (And GOOOOOOOO Packers!)