The {Top 10 Images} of 2011 {Couples}

So, as I was making my lists of ‘Top 10’ images, it occurred to me that wedding couples were getting all the glory here. I mean, sure, it makes sense that a photographer who shoots weddings would do a weddings top 10, but, I asked myself, what about all the couples that WEREN’T the bride and groom when I captured them? Are they any less special because I captured them on a regular day rather than their big day(s)? The answer was no. The couples I captured this year are JUST AS important as the weddings, or the children, or any other category you’ve seen here on my lists. So, with that thought in mind, I set out to make a top 10 list for all the couples I’ve captured….the moms and dads who are eclipsed by their children, and the newly engaged couples just starting out. With that in mind, here is my top 10 couples list for 2011!

10. {Sara & Jerrica} I met this adorable couple while doing a family shoot. I was hired by Sara’s sister-in-law to do a slightly extended family shoot that was for Christmas gifts. While we were there, we grabbed some of just the two of them, and I adored the way they came out! You can see how much they not only love each other, but also how much they honestly enjoy each other’s company. ♥

9. {Sharon & Todd} Sharon and Todd and their family were some of my first-ever clients that I didn’t already know! I captured their (beautiful) family in the summer of 2010 for the first time, and then again at Christmas time last year for their cards. This year we did a short outdoor shoot for their Christmas cards, and while we were there, I got to capture Sharon and Todd without the boys! ♥’ed the outcome!

8. {Barb & Dave} I met Barb through half of my previous couple, Sharon. They are great friends, and I knew once I met Barb that her shoot would be a blast. I was right! Here are her and her husband Dave. Still happily together, after all these years! ♥

7. {Regina & Jon} This is the brother and sister-in-law of couple #10! I adore Regina’s flare and attitude, and her ability to put everyone in coordinating outfits w/o being terribly matchy! I had an amazing time with this family, and I can’t wait to get to shoot them again this spring!

6. {Brenda & Jack} You saw the entire Cole family in my Top 10 Family captures post, but I thought that this fun, adorable couple deserved their own spot in the top 10 couples list too! I enjoy these folks SO much, truly, they are a blast to be around and it translates beautifully onto film. ♥

5. {Sharon & Todd}Here they are again, the Unislawski’s! I just adored this candid capture of them enjoying each other. I love how much they love each other, and thought that this capture said that beautifully!

4.{Elizabeth & Eric} This couple is one of my wedding couples for 2012. I traveled down to their home-area to check out the reception venue, as well as the church and their home, where we captured their engagement images. I just ♥ the way that these two look at each other. You can see in their eyes that it’s real.

3.{Penny & Carl} I have known Penny forever….literally. Since I was born, at least. You see, she’s my aunt. Well, I suppose not anymore in the technical sense, since her and my uncle are divorced now, but in my heart, Aunt Penny will always be my aunt. This summer I was called on to capture her, her husband Carl, my cousins from her first marriage, Carl’s son, and the twins they have together….oh, and their pup, Jack. I love the fact that these two are raising this enormous family with kindness and a sense of humor, but most of all LOVE. It is obvious in every move they make together; Carl makes my aunt happy. ♥

2. {Stephanie & Joe} This couple contacted me in the early fall about capturing their engagement pictures, and I was so excited to get to do it! They are so happy and in love, and you can see just how well they are matched. I had a terribly hard time narrowing down a capture of them.

1.{Stephanie & Joe} When I said (above) that it was terribly hard to narrow down a capture of this couple, I meant it. In fact, this last capture is possibly my favorite one ever. (Which is a pretty big thing, let me tell you) It was also a happy accident; We were just coming out of the woods, and as we did, the clouds literally parted and made this image so dreamy. I couldn’t stop staring at it, and though I know it’s not necessarily “technically correct”, I still love everything about it. ♥