Over Thanksgiving weekend, we had the pleasure of meeting up with Kendra and Brady for their engagement session. It was an exceptionally warm day for the end of November, so needless to say, we were very excited to soak up every minute of the beautiful weather!! We met Kendra and Brady at a cute ranch between Sedalia and Warrensburg, Missouri. They both grew up on a farm so it only seemed fitting to include an outdoor setting with a barn for their session. We loved the property at Von Holten Ranch! We were lucky to stumble upon a woodsy like setting with a lovely creek. It created the perfect backdrop for a late fall session. With a picture perfect scenery and a cute as can be couple, it was no surprise that we were loving every image we captured. We knew Kendra were a little nervous at the beginning of the session, but once they became comfortable in front of the camera, their love shined through! We give Brady all the credit for Kendra’s genuine smile! He kept her laughing and giggling almost the entire time!
Next, we ventured to Warrensburg where we would see their college stomping grounds! We strolled down the ever popular Pine Street before heading to campus. Both Kendra and Brady played Basketball in college so we were over the moon with excitement when we learned we would get to finish the session at the basketball arena. We were lucky that someone was in the building to let us in over the holiday weekend. It was so cool to see their faces light up with pure joy when we stepped onto the court! It was the perfect place to end our session with these two sweethearts.
Their Love Story
Brady and Kendra originally met while in high school. They both grew up in small towns just 30 minutes from each other. Since both of their high schools were in the same conference, they ran into each other often at different sporting events. They don’t actually remember meeting for the first time; Kendra says she feels like Brady has always just been there. One night during Kendra’s junior year of high school, she went to a bon fire at a friends house. It was here where she remembers having her first real conversation with Brady. The timing just wasn’t right for the Kendra and Brady. They hung out here and there, but nothing ever fully blossomed into anything more and they fell apart for a couple of years.
Fast forward to Kendra’s freshman year of college, and they would pick back up where they left off! She was having a difficult time adjusting to her first year of college when they found each other again. Kendra says Brady was like her saving grace in a time when she needed someone the most. It was apparent to them both that God brought them back together for a reason. They haven’t looked back since and have been happily together throughout college.
Kendra knew early on in the relationship that Brady was a perfect match for her because she fit right in with his family. They always made her feel right at home and she loved that! Kendra and Brady share a special relationship and love doing many things as a couple! Over the years, they have laughed a lot, attended many concerts and sporting events, spent time with loved ones at the lake, and have enjoyed checking on their cows together! They have just recently started their own heard of cows. It has quickly become one of their favorite pass times!
How He Asked
The date was December 23 when their love story would head towards forever! Brady informed Kendra earlier in the day that he would let her open just ONE of her gifts early. As they were watching tv, Kendra finally asked him if she could open the gift or not. Brady replied with, “Oh, I guess, stay here. Let me go get it”. Shortly after Brady left the room, he returned with a stocking stuffed full of boxes. Kendra pulled the first box out to find a wooden “K” inside. She was immediately thinking “what the heck”… So she proceed to open the next box, and this one had an “F” in it. At this point, she was thinking, “what in the world.” Kendra was starting to put two and two together, but not actually thinking that he was serious. When she opened the last box inside the stocking, it said, “Will you make these initials yours?” In shock, she felt the stocking one more time, and there was one little tiny box still left in the stocking. She grabbed the little box quickly and opened it. It was her ring! In that moment that Brady knelt down on one knee and asked Kendra to marry him. Overwhelmed in excitement, Kendra began crying a few minutes after Brady proposed to her. Such a sweet and intimate proposal these two shared!
We adored working with these two and we cannot wait to capture their special day in the spring! Kendra and Brady, congratulations again on your engagement! We are counting down the days until April! Enjoy some of our very favorites from their fall engagement session!
