Every once in a while, Missouri decides to give us the most perfect summer evening, and somehow Mya and John lucked out with one for their engagement session! We had gorgeous sunny skies, beautiful light, and for August in Missouri, it surprisingly wasn’t unbearably hot.
We spent the evening venturing around John’s family farm, which gave us so many fun spots to use throughout their session. Between the barns, hay bales, an old vintage ’80s truck, open fields, and even a few cows making an appearance, there was no shortage of places to explore. I always love when couples choose a location that has a personal connection to them, and getting to photograph these two somewhere that is already such a big part of their life together made the evening even more special.
Of course, the farm also gave us one slightly less romantic addition to the evening…
If you know me, you know I was absolutely freaking out over the number of ticks we were finding throughout their session. And apparently one decided it needed to make it’s presence known because Mya discovered a tick at the bottom of her eyelash at the very end of the night. Yes, Her eyelash. Naturally, that little devil managed to make an appearance in quite a few photos before anyone realized it was there, so I spent a good amount of editing time afterward cloning out Mya’s tiny uninvited guest. Definitely a first for me! Tick drama aside, this session was SO much fun!!
Mya and John are incredibly easy going and were down for whatever I threw their way. We wandered all over the farm, played around with the old truck, visited the cows, incorporated their pup, Lewie, and took advantage of every bit of that gorgeous golden August light!
And speaking of Lewie…he obviously wasn’t exactly thrilled when he saw me coming! Let’s just say he made it very clear that I was not part of his inner circle. There may have been some barking and snapping involved, but I knew he meant well. That little guy sure does love his people, and despite our differences, I have to admit he looks pretty dang handsome in their photos!
I loved getting to document Mya and John having fun together! Their connection is so easy and natural, and it really came alive once they were in front of my camera!
How They Met
Mya and John’s story actually started not too far away in Osage County back in July of 2022! Mya grew up in Pike County and was attending Missouri State in Springfield when some of the friendships she made at school started bringing her “home” with them to Osage County on the weekends. Over time, she got to know the girls in John’s friend group, and one of those friends, who is now one of her bridesmaids, eventually gave her a little push toward meeting John!
The two were both at the Massman Slip-n-Slide one summer day, but it wasn’t until the DJ party later that evening that they really started getting to know one another! In the middle of all the music, dancing, and craziness happening around them, John stopped and pulled Mya off to the side so he could properly introduce himself! And apparently that was all it took! Mya remembers immediately noticing how genuinely interested John was in getting to know her. They also discovered that night that they shared a love for country music, especially Cody Johnson, which was a pretty easy way to Mya’s heart considering how much she loves music! She says she knew from that very first night that there was something different about John!
Their early relationship involved a little bit of distance while Mya was still finishing undergrad in Springfield. The first weekend John came to Springfield to stay with her, Mya was incredibly nervous waiting for him to arrive. But the second he got there, all of those nerves disappeared! Being together already felt like they had known each other their entire lives. The two officially began dating on September 17, 2022, and in the years since, they’ve built quite the life together! They love going to country concerts and have now seen Cody Johnson at least four times! They spend time fishing at John’s family farm, visiting Mya’s family back home, and hanging out with their little Chihuahua, Lewie.
How He Asked
On April 24, 2025, John proposed to Mya on the front porch of the home they had just built together! Mya had absolutely no idea it was coming. John had planned out every little detail, from flowers to printed and framed photos, and even incorporated a bench Mya’s parents had given them after they built their home. During his proposal, John talked about how they had just built the strong foundation of their house together and how it was now time to continue building the foundation for their future! I mean, come on. How sweet is that?! And knowing that story made photographing their engagement session around the farm feel even more fitting. This isn’t just a pretty backdrop for their photos. It’s part of the life they’re building together.
When Mya talks about John, she describes him as determined, selfless, hardworking, and someone who can always make her laugh. She admires how hard he works every day, both at the farm and at his day to day job to make sure they’re building a secure future together! And now, after building a home and a life side by side, they’re getting ready for the next part: becoming husband and wife! Mya says she’s most excited to finally marry her best friend and have both of their extended families together under one roof to celebrate.
After spending the evening with them for their engagement session, I am even more excited for their wedding day! Mya and John, thank you for showing me around the farm, introducing me to Lewie (even if the feeling wasn’t entirely mutual ), braving the ticks, and making this session such a fun one!
I cannot wait to celebrate you two when you officially become Mr. + Mrs. Becker!
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