Brittney and Brandan are such a darling pair and I had a blast strolling around Jefferson City capturing their undeniable connection. I met with them on the perfect fall day at the Runge Nature Center. The fall leaves were showing off and the golden light filtering perfectly through the autumn trees was a photographers dream. The gorgeous vibrant fall scenery was made even better with an adorable couple like Brittney and Brandan. These two showed up to their session looking cute as can be in their dressy attire! Brittney informed me that they had not one, but four outfits they would like to do and I was super excited for all the attire changes that would occur. Brittney and Brandan are true gems! They both have such kind hearts and the chemistry they share is anything but ordinary. It was great to witness such a fun loving couple! When you share a love like these two, it’s easier than ever to document a pure genuine connection. Brittney and Brandan have me counting down the days until I have them back in front of my camera again for their wedding day! Congratulations you two! Together, you all make one incredible pairing.
How They Met
Brittney and Brandan met while attending the same high school in California, Missouri. Brittney was a freshman and Brandon was a junior. Brittney’s first real encounter happened with Brandan as she was walking down the hall in between classes. One day, she went to swing her backpack at a friend walking by and Brittney missed her friend and instead hit Brandan. Brittney was quick to apologize; but Brandan just hit her back! For weeks, Brittney would walk that same path and see Brandan without even an exchange of words, just a shove of their backpacks. Brandan remembers thinking early on when they first met in the hallway that Brittney must have had the hots for him.
Their first date was a group date with four other friends that Brittney and Brandan shared in common. They had the classic movie date — neither of them can remember the movie. Brittney couldn’t drive, so her friend Sophie picked her up and they drove to Brandan’s. Brittney and her friend technically beat Brandan home because he was late getting off work, which made them almost late to the movie. Brandan sped all the way to movie theater ensuring that his fast driving was “fine” since his dad was the sheriff in town. Brittney remembers that the two didn’t actually hold hands during the movie, but she was still excited for the next time she would see Brandan. After the movie ended, they all came back to Brandan’s parents house. At the end of the night, Brittney and her friend Sophie were rushing to make curfew because they all dozed off a little. By the end of the night, Brittney was more worried about not getting in trouble when she got home.
Over the years of dating, Brittney and Brandan quickly became best friends with one another and they realized just how much they both enjoyed spending quality time with each other. Brittney realized over time how many qualities Brandan had that truly embodied the qualities she was looking for in a husband. She never realized how much she would want to marry her best friend, but Brandan is exactly that! Brandan knew Brittney was the one for him when they would want to do everything together and just became best friends. Brandan realized it most at the end of the day when he found himself excited to see Brittney. After three years of dating, many nights of grilling together and turning dinner into a production, playing games with each other, numerous trips to check on the cows together, and many memories made, Brandan knew he had found his dream girl. So he began planning the proposal.
How He Asked
Brandan had offered to take Brittney to the lake to spend the day there for her birthday that was coming up. Brittney had already made plans that day to get her nails done since they would be going to Florida the following week. That morning, Brittney was at her parents hanging out with her mom, sister and cousin. She realized she had missed her nail appointment which was scheduled at 11:30 and it was already 11:45. Her mom and sister thought the appointment was at noon and frantically asked if Brittney still had time to go. To Brittney, them acting weird seemed kinda like a flag, but she headed to my nail appointment anyways. Then Brandan began calling Brittney asking when she would be back home. So Brittney rushed home. As they drove to lake, Brandan asked Brittney why she even went and got her nails done… this made Brittney think, “okay, maybe my sister and mom where just acting weird on their own about the nail appointment.”
Once Brittney and Brandan made it to the Lake, they went to enjoy a round of mini golf. Brandan insists that he won that round of mini golf and it’s an important detail in his mind. After mini golf, He and Brittney drove to her parents lake house so they could change outfits and then head out to dinner. Brandan had never been to Brittney’s family lake house so she offered to show him around and asked if he wanted to go to the dock. Brandan didn’t show interest in seeing the dock at that time and instead got in the shower to freshen up for the evening.
After Brittney and Brandan were all changed and ready to go, Brandan asked her to accompany him down to the dock area just before dinner. At this point, Brittney was not expecting a proposal at all. She thought she was just showing Brandan around. However, when Brittney finally looked at Brandan face to face on the dock, she knew what was happening! Brandan had Brittney stand in a specific spot so that a photo could be taken as he would propose. Brandan got down on one knee and Brittney instantly started crying and said “yes!” As soon as Brittney said yes, all the neighbors starting cheering in excitement! After the proposal, Brittney and Brandan shared a moment just the two of them that was very special and embraced in a romantic hug. It was Brittney’s favorite moment from the proposal day!
We couldn’t be any more excited for Brittney and Brandan and their love story to continue as they officially become husband and wife next year! Until then, they have these special portraits to cherish! Their connection is truly evident as you scroll through these images. I hope they make you smile as much as I did while editing them. I just love love stories and these two share one sweet one. Enjoy some of my favorite images from the session. Many more to come.
