When I get asked to photograph someone I *know*…I immediately feel a little extra pressure. I don’t know why that is, but deep down inside I just get a little nervous. I think nerves are good though…at least for me anyway. With those nerves I’m challenged to really push myself creatively…I challenge myself to see the world a little differently that day.
This past summer my best friend got engaged. Her name is Jonna. She is my sister.
When I found out I immediately wanted to run to my computer and share the news here on my blog…because that’s what I do, share my entire life with you guys haha! But I told myself to calm down and just wait for the right time. After my sister asked me to shoot her engagement session, I knew that when I blogged her session it would be the perfect time to share the news with you all. I could not be happier for my sister…
Donald could not have entered my sisters life at a better time. I am so thankful for him and I can’t wait to watch them grow as a couple and I especially can’t wait to see them say “I do” in May. Shooting their engagement session was a complete adventure and I loved it. We were able to cover so much ground driving around to soooo many different locations and we were completely racing against the last bit of daylight. Shooting their session in Spokane on a snowy day was such a nice change of scenery for me, I could not have asked for a better shoot or a better couple.
In doing this shoot for my sister and her fiance, it really gave me an inside look as to what my other couples experience when working with me. It was so comforting and fun to watch how excited they both were for this shoot. Making sure everything from outfits to hair and makeup were juuuust right. When I went home for Thanksgiving, I knew I wanted to reveal their session to them so that I could be there to watch. I was soooo nervous to watch their reaction, but it was exactly what I had hoped for. They looked at their photos for over an hour…flipping back and forth, laughing, crying, then flipping back and forth some more.
It was perfect.
When they were done, my sister looks up at me from the sofa they are cuddled up on…tears welled up in her eyes and says, “I think this is exactly what your couples do when they see the photos you take of them.” I smiled then I instantly imagined all my couples…cuddled up together somewhere…flipping through their own photos that I’ve taken of them. There is no better feeling than making my clients happy…this is what it’s all about…I promise you that.
Enjoy.
I love these two, for real. And am so happy for them. You captured them just perfectly.
oh hunny bunny those colors are NUTS NUTS. seriously shooting in winter never looked so good!!! so glad you got to do those for them!! im up next!!
These are great TK! Congrats to your sis and your fam. I’m sure the wedding is going to be so fun.
Woah Tonhya!! This is freakin’ awesome my friend!
these are so wonderful. loving the ones in the field. and your sister is so adorable.
So so SO good! I love his red bow tie 🙂
This is definitely one of my favorite sessions you’ve ever done. The snow, the hay bails, the coffee shop- all of it is perfection. How special getting to photograph your sister’s engagement session! You knocked it out of the park. And that first photo of them sitting at the table looking at each other- you guys look A LOT alike! 🙂 Adore this so much. Excellent job!!!!
O man, these are so lovely. What a special shoot. Amazing outfits! I feel the same way (with extra pressure) about close friends pictures. 😛 I *love* what she said about your other couples going through your beautiful pictures and their reactions. It is so wonderful. 🙂
I love this. They are SO cute. And I love the snow, I love the blanket. I’m jealous that you shot under that bridge in downtown because I drove through there ALL the time and never stopped. The pop of red, all the colors really, make me want to bundle up and drag my couples out in the snow. Beautiful. And congratulations to Jonna and Donald!
Great Job! I’m so happy for Jonna! She is so beautiful inside and out, and it really shows in every one of her photos. I didn’t cry, 😉 but the pictures definitely made me smile today. THANK YOU. =)
The window shot in Madeline’s and the shot of them in between the pillars. GOLD.
We just did the sit on the couch and SMILE and CRY…AGAIN on our lunch break. Blessed. Honored. Not worthy. Humbled. AMAZED. LOVE!!! Thank you for this sister. We love you. Thanks all for the lovely comments too. 🙂
I love these. You capture wonderful moments in time. Love the story you tell.
Beautiful. Timeless. Perfectly capturing the essence of Donny and Jonna. Amazing job, Tonhya!
Lovely images and cute couple! I’m a fan of photo shoots in snow, such amazing lighting!
Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!
Tonhya!!! These are incredible!!! LOVE the entire look of it, snow, red, green. Beautiful, beautiful job. And it looks like they had a blast.
Jonna Jae you are sooooo beautiful, I love the red bow tie Donald. The color combinations are awesome. Tonhya Awesome job on the pictures, I love the one where it says no trespassing, that is great! love you guys!
Absolutely delicious! #11, #36, #45 are the show-stealers for me (hover over the photo for the #). Beautiful stuff all around.
wow lady, best locations on earth right here. Seriously gorgeous imagery.
Oh my In love with this..so delicious and white..yum! And your amazing as usual.
these are awesome! love the snow.
Love this session girl- so sweeeeeet!
Oh my gosh! Again, breath taking! Jonna is so beautiful! I especially love the field and coffee shop pictures! =) I really hope you will get to do our pictures. I know you’ll make magic. Happy holidays!
I LOVE that you took pics at Madeleines! One of my favorite places in Spokane! 🙂
These pictures of Jonna are stunning.Love the snow pictures! The love for each other really shows through. Thank you for sharing. Can’t wait to see the bride.Well done little miss!
These are so beautiful and wintry! There are so many frame-worthy ones.. especially the far off ones with lots of field + sky. They will have such a hard time choosing their favorites!!
whoa those are killer! really liking the snow! Nice to meet you at the Seatog party!
Just beautiful. I add you to my RSS:)
T~
These pics are by far some of my favorites. Probably because it’s your sis however what you “captured” is beyond romance. Love the “touch” of color/splash Donald adds with his tie…again, beyond romance!Then the pics @ Madelines…oh my. I have my fav’s! 🙂
T~
These pics are by far some of my favorites. Probably because it’s your sis however what you “captured” is beyond romance. Love the “touch” of color/splash Donald adds with his tie…again, beyond romance!Then the pics @ Madeleines…oh my. I have my fav’s! 🙂
aww. got a little teary eyed on this one. maybe cuz it’s your own family, or maybe cuz it was shot in spokane (and i feel particularly close to that city.) looking at these pictures, it was like, personal to me or something haha. i’m happy for you and your sister! that’s so awesome that she has you to capture all the great moments.
love the winter scenery! way to change it up. props to the couple on being adventurous with their shoot. where was that field? and that hay bale?
JONNA, You are so BEAUTIFUL….It is so rewarding to see you grow into such an inspirational, compassionate, and loving woman. Seeing you so happy fills our hearts with PRIDE. We are so happy to have Donald a part of our FAMILY. TONHYA, We thank you for capturing the LOVE! WE ARE SO PROUD AND BLESSED!!!
Beautiful as always, you’re the greatest Tonhya, but it’s nice when you have two beautiful people to photograph too! Love you sweetie.