I have a tendency to look back on the first time I met each of my couples with a certain level of fondness, and Brittany and Matt are a prime example of that. I met these two at Brittany’s sister Katie and her husband Bobby’s wedding, which is entirely fitting considering Brittany and Matt got to know one another through Katie and Bobby as well. Brittany and Matt were both members of the wedding party, and Brittany was her sister’s maid of honor. After shooting as many weddings as I have, a really great maid of honor stands out – while many are good, every so often I’ll see one who is above-and-beyond helpful for her bride, and incredibly present throughout the course of the day, and perfectly sincere in her speech – this was Brittany. Another thing that tends to happen after photographing weddings for quite some time is that you start to get a sort of feel for love, and those who are in it. As someone who casually observes facial expressions and body language within their profession, these people become easier to spot – and once you spot them, it’s hard not to mentally take notice. I didn’t know how long Matt and Brittany had been dating, or how they met, or much else about them beyond the basic things you can learn within a single wedding day – but I knew they were both in it.

Almost exactly one year later, I got the chance to see Matt and Brittany again for their June engagement session – we met on the University of Illinois campus, where we walked and I photographed as they told me about their times there on campus, and how they started dating, and showed me the spot where Matt proposed. Thanks, you two, for letting me into your lives, and for being the wonderful people you are – I can hardly wait to photograph your wedding day.