This blog post seems about impossible to write today.  You see, this sweet Geneseo couple holds a very special place in my heart as this lovely bride-to-be is my cousin, who in my eyes is still supposed to be in school and traveling all over playing soccer.  How is this even possible that she’s now planning her wedding!?!?!

I was so excited when she reached out to me about photographing their wedding.  Photography is such a huge part of your day, so for them to trust in me to create the most amazing pictures for them to remember their day by is truly humbling.  I couldn’t be more honored to do this and be by her side throughout the day to ensure their pictures are magical.

A complimentary engagement session is included in my wedding collections.  I feel this is the dry run for your wedding day.  It’s a chance for us to get a feel for each other, get comfortable in front of the camera, and to understand what my couples like and dislike in their portraits.  This way, when I spend 8+ hours with you on your wedding day, there’s not that awkwardness to make you uneasy on your big day.  It’s now like you have a photographer, cheerleader, friend, assistant and everything in between on your side for the entire day!

I’m not going to lie, although we are cousins and know each other really well, there was still some nervousness on my end for me to deliver gorgeous pictures for them to cherish during this exciting engagement period.  These two totally made my job easy, though.  As I would reference things for them to do to get into a pose, they naturally fell into place before my sentence was finished.  It was so sweet to see them both so happy, and well let’s face it, they make a super cute couple so I don’t think they can take a bad picture!

So with all this being said, thank you so much to the both of you for the opportunity to capture your love story.  I can’t wait to be a part of your very special day in September.

If you or someone you know is getting married in 2018, make sure to contact me now.  I only accept 12 weddings each year to provide my clients an amazing customized experience, and 2017 is full.  It breaks my heart to turn people away, so if you’re interested, make sure to get with me soon to get your wedding date on my calendar.

Please take a look here for more information about booking your wedding with Amanda Oakes Photography.

Amanda Oakes Photography is a full service photography studio offering quality service and experiences paired with fine art prints, canvas gallery wraps, luxury albums, and many other heirloom items.

Amanda Oakes Photography is a Quad Cities wedding photographer who also specializes in newborn, family and children photography, engagement and wedding photography, and maternity photography.  This includes photography services in the Moline, IL, Rock Island, IL, Davenport, IA, Bettendorf, IA, Muscatine, IA and the greater Quad Cities area.