I first heard from Cory in an email that I got in 2014, here’s what she wrote to me way back then:

I have been following your work since you photographed my friend’s senior portraits in 2007! My boyfriend and are aren’t engaged yet, but you would think we were by the way we plan our wedding. But the thing I’m most excited about is that after I showed him your work, he agreed our budget would be based around hiring the two of you and I’m so thrilled he feels the same way! I can’t wait until we get to meet you (someday in the next couple of years, of course)! 🙂 That’s all I wanted to say, for now, have a wonderful day!

Fast forward to July, 2018 where I did a little presentation at my good friend Rachel Vanoven’s studio where both Cory and Adam attended. She excitedly introduced herself and told me again that when they became engaged, I’d be the first one they called. Talk about filling up my love tank!

Fast forward again to September of that same year:

Bobbi!! I got engaged YESTERDAY and my first official move is to contact you! We’re potentially thinking September or October of 2019. Do you still have any Saturdays open for those months?

The VERY next day I was officially her wedding photographer! I’ll tell you this, Cory is most definitely a woman of her word!

During the wedding consult phone call Cory says something along the lines of “I’m about to look prettier than I’ve ever looked so I’m going to want a lot of photos to remember this!” I don’t know about that whole “prettier than she’s ever looked” thing but I definitely DO know that she looked incredibly beautiful!

And I can’t leave Adam out! DAAAAAMN ADAAAAAM!!!!

That teal sofa?! I’M OBSESSSSSSED!!!!!

Cory and Adam, I truly hope you never forget the way you both looked at each other for the entirety of your 4 minute and 3 second ceremony* (that mayyyy be a record!). 😉 But really, I do wish that for the both of you!

*those numbers are 100% accurate and were calculated with time stamps.

MegMoney’s view on the left, mine on the right. Generally being short is considered a liability when it comes to being a photographer… howeverrrrrr…. it’s quite the asset when I can OH SO easily hide behind anyone taller than me when I’m supposed to be blending in. 😉 Full disclosure: I didn’t know there were stairs on the left side of the stage so when I approached the right side, I weeble wobbled my short (yet surprisingly quite strong) legs wayyyy up there in a very awkward yet seamless way. Thank goodness I did because as I mentioned before that ceremony was quiiiick!

This was the first time I’d ever photographed an event at The Cyrus Place and it was a really awesome venue!

But of course Nano had to join them for a few photos!

This photo is so on brand!  I love that the people who I’m lucky enough to photograph wholeheartedly trust me. And by that I mean, there were zero dresses harmed in the making of this image. If there were even a 1% chance that the dress would have been tarnished in any way, I would have never asked her to sit!

…that light though?! YUM-TOWN!

As we were walking back from portrait time (and running a bit late) when I see the crosswalk coming up and quickly say to the bride & groom, “Cory, you’re John Lennon; Adam, you’re Paul… take your shoes and socks off!” I realize I was being a bit aggressive in my requests but let it be known that 1) Cory is a HAYUUUUGE (like, huge) Beatles fan so the second I thought of it, they knew EXACTLY what I was going for and 2) we were running close on time and the light was about to turn so time was of the essence!

They read their letters from each other right before the walked into their reception. I loved that!

behind the scenes

Someone asked me at my wedding last weekend (while taking photos of Megan), “are you getting that LinkedIn profile photo?”

“Nope! (haha) I’m just testing my light so I have a ton of photos of her all over the country standing in random places… so if she ever does need a LinkedIn profile photo, I suppose I already have it covered!”

Cory and Adam, we loved spending such an awesome day with the both of you. Cory, thank you for deciding way back in 2007 that I would be your wedding photographer. 😉 You truly did make my heart sing when you asked me to document your biggest day. Love love love to you two!

Much love friends!

Bobbi

I met Ashley that morning, and after knowing her for about an hour here was my “guess the dress” prediction: a form fitting strapless mermaid, very classic silk taffeta with a sweetheart neckline. There have only been a few times that I was THAT close on my guess so I’m so glad I said it out loud to Ashley before seeing it, or she never would have believed me! After I strangely nailed that Ashley’s MOH said, “Wow, OK, guess mine.” I then, according to her, described exactly a photo that she had just sent to her sister (who was standing right behind me). THE CROWD WENT WIIIIILD!*  Thennnnn, Ashley’s sister asked me to guess hers (she’s a newlywed) and I said, “ohhh, I don’t knowwwww….” and proceeded to bomb it. Soooo… 2 outta 3 ain’t bad!

Full disclosure: I only play “guess the dress” when I’m confident in my prediction. 😉 Hence why my success rate is so high.

*no one went wild, I’m lying.

Kent’s dad Bill helping him with his cufflinks.

I’m not gonna lie, fluorescent light is not my favorite lighting scenario but somehow Ashley still looked beautiful under it. WHAAAAA??!?! Let me tell you, RARELY does anyone look beautiful under fluorescent lights!

Meanwhile…

There’s an art form to taking a mirror photo without being in it!

SUCH a good looking duo!

Kent, watching his bride walk down the aisle. 😀 In my experience, when you think back to your wedding day yeeeeacrs down the road, walking down the aisle is the first thing that comes to mind. 🙂 This is why I always tell brides to take it as slowly as possible because you’ll want to soak up every millisecond!

Ashley had alllll the heart eyes!

You have such a genuine smile.

MARRRRRIEDDDD!!!!

Image specs: Canon 5D Mark IV •  f/9  •  1/500  •  ISO 800

AYKM with the fitting of this dress?! Holy wowwww! Ashley, you are such a babe!

A reminder: while I tend to show more of the creative portraits on this blog; I always shoot traditional wedding photos too. In general I tend to shoot a few more traditional photos on a wedding day than on an engagement session. My hope is that your wedding images will stand the test of time.

Ashley with her dad Larry. 🙂 He makes me laugh that loud obnoxious laugh that I try OH SO HARD to contain. Damn you Larry!

I loved this momma/son relationship! Bill and Maureen (Kent’s parents) have three daughters and one son and they sure do love their kids wholeheartedly.

The Doo Band never disappoints! And I mean that; NEVERRRR!

Hi again Larry!

Kent with his parents.

Thank you two for including us in such a fun-filled day! It was truly an honor to witness your marriage. 🙂

Much love friends!

Bobbi

My husband told me late last night that it was National Black Dog Day and that he was surprised I didn’t post about it. AYKM??!! IF I HAD KNOWN, I WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY POSTED ABOUT IT!

My big ol’ buddy, my sunshine butt, my MeePeeMee, my love bug, and at one time in my life… my everything. I’m crying. Ugh. I’m going to attempt to make this short and sweet because I’m just not in the mood to cry.

MurphyMoMoMoMo, you were my first true love. You will always and forever be my favorite dog. No other dog can compete. You are not only a good boy, you are the very best boy.

I canNOT believe you are 11.5 years old. You seem to be the dog who never slows down, who never ages, who can still do all of the things he’s always done.  Let it be known, I will never be ready to not have you in my life. Eff, I’m a mess; stopping with that talk immediately!

It seems that I’ve not taken many photos of him throughout the years with my big camera; I promise to be better about that. Also today seems like the appropriate day to talk about how difficult it is to photograph a black dog… which is one of the reasons black dogs have a holiday all to themselves; they are the least adopted pups in dog shelters mostly because they are hard to take photos of.

I’ve also noticed I have quite a few photography clients with black dogs who hire me to photograph them with their beloved pups (two in the last month!). It may be a niche? Maybe it’s because people have seen photos of my MurphyMo? It’s likely just a fluke but even if so, I’m thanking Murphy regardless. 😀

These were taken at my old home in Indianapolis soon after he came into my life nearly seven years ago to the day (October, 2012).

I used to always say that MurphyMo got me through the most difficult times of my last five years and Ruth got me happy again; she came into the picture three years after Murphy did in November 2015. She’s not his favorite friend but she definitely keeps him young!

….I mean, it’s only natural! (I took these goofy wedding photos for the launch of my new website back in 2016)

Your ability to adapt and roll with all of the changes that you’ve been through in your life never ceases to amaze me. On top of that, you are SO amazing with the kids! When I ask them (which I often do because I’m weird), “who’s your favorite dog this week?” Their answer is almost always, “Murphy.” Welllll…. Andrew (the oldest) usually says it’s Murphy’s best friend Jackie Bower (photos of her at the end). But I think you get the idea.

I’m incredibly disappointed in myself that I don’t have ONE big camera photo of you taken with the kids. Mark my words, we are GOING to make that happen!

Those brown eyes?! I can’t. I JUST CAN’T!

iPhone pics

Like I said earlier, I’ve not been great about taking photos of my love bug with the big camera but I AM great at taking quickie pics with my iPhone. I HAD to include a few photos of him with his best friend Jackie Bower (she’s the white dog who was a Ghostbuster; top row, second from the right).

MurphyMo, thank you for letting me be your momma and for teaching me what unconditional love looks like.

Happy National Dog Day Big Buddy! Also, quick question… do you have big plans today? 😀

Love,

Yo Momma