Natasha & Ted: Engagement Photos at the Weston Red Barn - PLUS My Musings of Destiny and Choice.

Life is amazing to me. I mean, it is just crazy to think how one persons seemingly small action can trigger another, and how everything we do affects something or someone somewhere. One person can change the world and a simple "hello" could change the course of history. It's true, just think about it. I'm surrounded by proof and I have no doubt about it. All around me are people, lives, stories, history. So many times, I think, "What if we had never met... How different life would be." Call it Destiny, call it fate. But ultimately, as human beings, we're still the ones that have to make the actual decision to act when destiny gives us that opportunity. It would be foolish of us to take our freedom to "choose" for granted. As I sit here typing this I'm finding myself almost in shock as I picture the people in my life and how so many events, relationships, stories and life-altering moments can be traced back to a single "hello" or simple action. Destiny always presents itself to us... our actions will determine the outcome. Life is amazing and I've totally inspired myself to make the most of every opportunity. Destiny doesn't always present itself in a loud and obvious way... but more often as a still, small voice from within.

Natasha and Ted are TOTALLY an example of this, and I think Natasha would tell you the same thing... seemingly small actions and decisions can change the course of life and history as we know it. Call it chance, fate or destiny, but Natasha met Ted through a friend. He was visiting from Washington. She was a Midwest girl living her day-to-day life not knowing that destiny was about to present her an opportunity that would soon change her life... and last name!

After meeting through a mutual friend, Natasha and Ted began to slowly take a few more steps towards each other. Since Ted was in Washington, they communicated through email, texting, phone calls and all things wonderfully technological! They made trips back and forth from Washington to Missouri... but eventually, enough was enough. Natasha and Ted decided that their choices had entwined their destinies together so tightly now that there was no separating them! Natasha moved to Washington to be with the love of her life and I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to photograph their wedding at Powell Gardens this spring! They were traveling through the area this winter and we decided to do their engagement session while they were in town. It was absolutely wonderful to watch two people so obviously in love and comfortable with each other... I often find that people who start their relationships "long distance" have a one-up on communication and seem to know EVERYTHING about one another!

Ted joked and teased pretty much the whole time which put Natasha at ease and made for some great laughs! I love watching couples interact and Natasha and Ted were very much in tune! Here are a few of my favorites from their session...