dn.jy | Blog

Soooo many hearts leaped with joy at Reed and Tashina’s engagement :) It was such an honor to make their engagement portraits. Their excitement and joy are so apparent, and they were so incredibly comfortable and natural together…

They like to picnic and take walks together…and look at trees…and at each other ;)

I love that they bring out the goofy in each other!

“Let’s frolick!”

“Faith makes things possible (*not easy)”

We found this cool leaf that was shaped like a heart!

Below is Reed and Tashina reading to the fire hydrant…

The arboretum grows crazy awesome formations that look completely different every season, it’s such a great location!

The last one is a shot in motion that I was experimenting with…it has flavors of a painting but it also expresses how I feel about just how amazing their relationship is. In this world that’s constantly in motion, their love for each other remains unharmed and their combined joy shines brilliantly in their gazes. I can’t believe I know such awesome people :)

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L

Welcoming a new baby in the world never gets old.  Meet the newest member of the Wyne family — Baby Luke!

His dad plays the guitar and his mom plays the bass…are those Luke’s fingers shredding on an air guitar?!  In the words of his Uncle Andrew, #SoBomber

Cutest little hands and richest blue eyes I’ve ever seen!

So much love in the home!!!

CONGRATULATIONS again on your first baby!  Little Luke definitely adds a new dimension to your love, and many are so excited for your adventures together :)  

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L

Perhaps the best weddings are not made of the colors or decorations — perhaps they are made of quality people.  In this post, I am documenting a momentous occasion, when a whole bunch of quality people gathered together to celebrate the beginning of a beautiful story…

The centerpieces and decor in general were simple and fun — on every table was a disposable camera for guests to take pictures of memorable moments…from their perspective :)

Meet the BRIDE…and her smoldering gaze!

Meet the bride’s party…truly a party, indeed.

I was really excited about having Rent One Park, our local minor league baseball field, as a setting because I had never made portraits in one before.  I was not excited about the heat, but everyone had so much patience and were focused on the joy at hand!  Also, the pitcher’s mound made a great stage…who knew?

Meet the GROOM and his party!

Epic.

Meet their beautiful families…

Some highlights from the ceremony :)

Meet the Husband and Wife!  What fabulous love.

I love the lines and color blocks that the field provides for us - the wedding party is looking good!

Are they cheering for an imaginary game? Maaaaybe. More importantly, they are cheering on the new couple.  AJ & Sara had this umbrella in their engagement portraits (done by the fabulous Abigail Mbuvi) and it has become quite the motif in their story!

Party time!!

I tried to pick up some new dance moves from the kids :)

Dear AJ & Sara, thank you so much for letting me be a part of such a fantastic celebration.  Your love is unique, strong, and sealed.  Your unity can only grow and soar to glorious heights from such a solid starting point, and never forget that so many people love you and are rooting for you always!

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L, 100mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

I love hearing stories of couples who have known each other for a long time — Sam & Sam’s are no different.  They’ve known each other from grade school but had taken diverging paths that led them back to each other (this sounds like a love song?)

We went around downtown Bloomington and ISU’s campus on a rainy, beautifully overcast day :)

Downtown has the best walls and murals!  Sam teaches and trains in martial arts, so we had him show off some moves :D

I love this little tribute to Bloomington on the right…plus this red wooden wall is a great backdrop to their love :)

There are such cool gardens and sculptures all around the campus!!

I’m glad Sam & Sam braved it out in the rain - these pictures are so worth it.

They take walks by this lake a lot, and now they get to tell their grandkids that they had their engagement shoot in the rain ;)

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L

One of the many reasons I enjoy making portraits for couples is because I get to be a part of chemistry in the making.  Relationships are ever changing because people are ever changing; and when two people come together, completely in love, it’s like a whole new combination is made — unique and one-of-a-kind! Perhaps we take this phenomenon for granted, perhaps we are too busy to notice, but just as every birth brings a completely original creation, every marriage creates a completely new masterpiece of love.

So, as with every family or couple I have met so far with my camera, never before has there been a love like the one Travis and Sara are growing, and never will there be one like it.  And I am of the persuasion that this is a good thing…a very good thing indeed.

Meet Travis and Sara:

We had a code word for when they would just let loose and be silly: HOT DOG!!!

We took these shots right around Clear River Church, and I just love how the colors express their electrifying love

Ivy-covered walls are the best :)

You would think, from their outfits, that it was a semi-warm day, but it was actually quite chilly, so it was nice that Sara could put her coat on for a little bit :)

Travis and Sara brought me to the place where Travis proposed, named Happy Hollow.  It’s basically a park, but the name makes me think it’s straight out of a story book…probably one written by a British author like Tolkien (everything sounds enchanted in British).

They like to give each other piggy-back rides…Sara’s strength baffles me :p

I had them hike down into a little ravine, which provided such a cool perspective


We also made our way onto the Purdue campus, which is just gorgeous!

This is Travis’ favorite spot on campus, and it’s an open fountain where people can just run in and cool off during the summer!

This last collage is taken around this cool spot on Purdue’s campus where each stone is placed with purpose and designed around in circles just so when you stand in the center, you can hear your voice pop and amplified.  Not only is this spot incredibly cool, I find it to be a great illustration of how Travis and Sara are building their love.  [I promise I’m not trying to be cheesy, I really feel this way!]  I have not known them for very long, but it is clear that every step they take together is centered on God, and that every stone they use to build their home will continue to lead into God’s love.  Their love amplifies His voice — they spread His joy and freedom just by the way they live, the way they are together, the way they love one another.

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4L

All around us, there are people who live out great stories, and it is often good to stop and listen.  Obbie and Kelly are two such people.  Kelly went to SIU for a while and that is how we have mutual friends who told me bits and pieces of her story, I strongly encourage you to read her words here!

Obbie and Kelly introduced me to one of the most beautiful areas I’ve ever been!  Obbie’s dad has worked wonderfully to landscape this amazing area, I just hope these pictures do justice to showcase his work!

The afternoon was perfectly overcast, and the nature provided the perfect backdrop, texture, and colors to highlight Obbie and Kelly’s love :)

In this picture above, the tree is marked with the names of Obbie’s family members…Kelly’s name will be added soon!

What a classic, beautiful driveway by the lake!  Also, these willow trees are unbelievably perfect

We stopped by an old barn to wrap up the shoot, and the overgrowth added so much character..

Obbie and Kelly, it was truly my privilege and joy to meet you both and to hang out for an afternoon!  It is apparent that your love for each other is strong and united, so thank you so much for sharing that with me!

Canon 7D, 35mm f/1.4, 100mm f/2.8