Makenzy + Travis | Jefferson City, Missouri Engagement Session

I officially met Makenzy and Travis at their engagement session this week, and I absolutely adored them from the moment I arrived!  Makenzy was adamant that she wanted her photos to be a little different, so when she suggested beginning the session downtown at the Jefferson City Fire Department, I was all for it!  She selected the most gorgeous vibrant red gown to wear at the fire department.  Makenzy and Travis instantly made my job so fun and easy.  These two are the giddiest pair, and the happiness just radiates from both of them.  You cannot help but smile when you’re in their presence!  From the start they knocked their session out of the park, so I knew it would only get better and better.

Next, we traveled to the capitol where we met up with Makenzy’s parents who had their dog Sully!  He was so full of energy and had the cutest pup grins.  I was so impressed with how well behaved and adorable Sully was.  They sure make an adorable family of three!  We spent a little bit of time downtown before heading to Westphalia to finish of the remainder of the session.  The winery has so many photo opportunities with the scenic backdrop and amazing sunset views.  As Makenzy and Travis strolled around the property hand in hand, I enjoyed documenting their genuine connection.  They truly do share such a special joyful love.  Photographing them at the engagement session has me even more excited for their fall wedding day!  You’ll find me counting down the days until their October wedding day!

How They Met

Makenzy and Travis first met at his cousins house.  Makenzy and her good friend gathered there to play cards, but she didn’t have any idea who Travis was at the time.  After she first saw him, she members seeing him around more.  They both played each other in volleyball (Makenzy always kicked his butt).  Because she didn’t know him when they went to his cousins house, Makenzy always says they first met through playing against each other in volleyball at Dave’s Tavern in Taos.

Makenzy and Travis hung out a lot through mutual friends for a couple months before a “true date” happened.  They went on a date to Bass Pro to go shopping for hunting gear.  Makenzy knew she must have really liked Travis then because anyone that knows her would know that she would have no business shopping for hunting gear. After Bass Pro, they went to Long Horn SteakHouse to eat. Makenzy remembers being nervous and thinking that she would at least pay for her meal because she wasn’t sure if this was a friend date or more than that.  Travis paid for everything and after that first date, they went on many dates after that!

Early on, Makenzy realized Travis was the one because he didn’t make a big deal about her always wanting to hang out with her friends.  When they first started dating, Makenzy wanted to do anything and everything with her friends who, she claims is a wild group, and it didn’t always include Travis.  He never once made a big deal about not being included or the fact that her group of friends can be hard to handle.  Even more importantly, Makenzy knew Travis was the one because he loves her family and they love him as well. Family is very important to both of them, so seeing Travis interact with not just her immediate family, but her extended  family the way he does made her realize Travis was one to hold onto.

How He Asked

Thanksgiving week of 2020, Makenzy was out with her friends and she told them she was going to go get her nails done with her mom. One friend in particular kept saying that Makenzy was going to be getting proposed to because she never gets her nails done.  Makenzy told her mom the week before she wanted her nails done out of the blue so the timing just happened to be right. Makenzy’s family had family pictures to take for their annual christmas card. Travis proposed while at family pictures.  Makenzy remembers thinking it was weird that they didn’t take very many family pictures before her mom said, “okay, just pictures of you and Travis!”  Travis and Makenzy had never taken professional pictures together, so when the photographer asked them to kiss, she felt weird because her family was right there watching.  Makenzy was about to walk away because she thought the session was okay and Travis asked the photographer for one more picture. When Makenzy turned around, Travis was down on one knee!  Travis always jokes around with Makenzy, so  she immediately thought he was kidding until she actually saw the ring.  It’s nearly impossible to surprise Makenzy so she was so excited he was able to pull it off.  No one knew of Travis’ proposal plans except for her family. He actually waited to tell his parents until the morning of, because he was worried someone would say something to her and ruin the surprise. Even the friend that swore it was happening was just taking a wild guess!

These two are the cutest duo and I cannot wait to have them back in front of my camera!  I just adore their infectious and bubbly personalities.  Enjoy some of my favorites from their session!