This session is really, really, really special to me. Really. Do you want to know why? Really? Cool, I’ll tell you why…

Josh is my cousin. In a lot of families, cousins are distant relatives that live in a galaxy far, far away. This is not true with most of my humongous extended family. I was a few years older than Josh, but when we would hang out as kids nearly every week, we were the only boys around the same age, so we played together while all the girls (my sisters) hung out in his two sister’s rooms.

We played with tons of toys like he-man, batman, star wars, g.i. joe’s, micro machines and matchbox cars. We collected baseball cards and garbage pail kids. We ran around outside with capes and hit each other with toys swords, making cool sound effects all the while. Josh and I shot at each other with toy guns and played kickball, and fort, and cops/robbers, and james bond, and wiffle ball and basketball. I even tried to play soccer with Josh, but he was always faster and better than me, because he actually played in a competitive league. We grew up together and I feel more like siblings than cousins.

Josh grew up (so did I, kind of…) and we did grow apart due to life and circumstance, but Josh has grown into an awesome man of God that has a confident, fun-loving personality that has an enormous positive effect on every person he meets. One of the most amazing persons he has met is Beth. Beth is kind and sweet and has a kindred funny spirit…not to mention she is gorgeous! Way to go, Josh!

They have been engaged for a while now and are getting married in a few short weeks. I look forward to being a part of their day and capturing every moment.

We hung out down in Westport, MO for their engagement session, grabbing some coffee at Broadway Cafe and walking around enjoying the beautiful weather. I hope you all enjoy the photos…and sorry for blabbing on and on.

Much love to you all,

-dustin

Oh…and as a sidenote, I shot this with a Nikon D300 (which I rented from borrowlenses.com) and my 24mm f/2.8.

I can go on and on and on about this wonderful couple. Steven has this quiet, assertive energy that focuses on Angela in a way that emits from him truly joyful and radiant smiles. Angela is tender-hearted and a compassionate caregiver to children (she is a full-time nanny) and her love and passion for her match is boundless. They are both Christians and full of the light and kindness that reflects Christ’s actions and it is a beautiful thing to see these people coming together in matrimony.

Anyway, I shot their engagement session a long while back at a beautiful nature center (that actually restricts commercial photography, but we snuck in anyway. Don’t tell anyone! Shhhh!). We had a fun time and got some great glimpses into their personalities. I hope you enjoy.

OH! This was my first engagement session using my 24mm…I totally dug it. I hope you do, too. I used my 50mm for some as well.

Some words to describe these two… hilarious, playful, comical, genuine and totally diggin’ one another!! They were a riotous ball of fun for the couple hours we spent down by the city market. Matt has a million faces and the combination of both their quick wits and intelligent charm will make a lifetime of beauty. Amy is going to be a gorgeous bride, donchathink?!

Matt and Amy, getting married in a few weeks at the amazing Kansas City Public Library. Stay tuned for their wedding photos not too long from now.

Check out some of the photos below…aren’t they hilarious? We’ve got everything from caveman to 007 going on!