Some love stories begin with chance encounters. Others begin with a swipe, a message, and months of getting to know one another before ever meeting face to face. That was exactly how Payton and Tanner’s story began!
For their engagement session, we met in downtown Jefferson City on a beautiful summer evening and explored the Capitol grounds while they came dressed to impress! We had the perfect weather, minus a few playful gusts of wind here and there. What stood out most wasn’t the location or even the beautiful light, it was the way these two laughed together!! Their joy was constant, their smiles completely genuine, and they carried such an unguarded happiness that made every moment feel effortless to document.
As the sun began to set, we made our way down to the river access to end the evening. Watching them together as golden light reflected across the water felt like the perfect ending to a session that so beautifully reflected who they are.
How They Met
Before they ever met in person, these two spent roughly six months talking online, building a connection that made finally meeting feel both incredibly exciting and incredibly nerve racking. Their first face to face meeting happened at Battle High School while Tanner was coaching college baseball. They both admit they were extremely nervous, but they also remember smiling from ear to ear the entire time, simply excited that they were finally together after months of waiting!
Their first official date took them to Jefferson City, making this engagement session feel especially full circle. They spent the day visiting the river, stopping by Big Tree, and grabbing dinner at Big Whiskey’s. Tanner laughs remembering that they somehow managed to order the worst mixed drinks on the menu, but despite that, everything else about the evening was exactly what they had hoped for. They started the drive listening to old ’90s and 2000s rap, and by the end of the night, they were singing along to Taylor Swift on the drive home!! Somewhere between those playlists, they both realized this connection felt different.
For Tanner, he knew Payton was someone special the very first time they talked on the phone. Their conversation felt effortless, like they had known each other forever. The only question was whether they could make long distance work. Once they finally met in person and took that leap of faith together, they realized if they could make it through long distance, they could make it through just about anything!
How He Asked
When it came time to propose, Tanner knew he wanted to return to the place where it all began, the river where they had spent part of their very first date! Plans changed when the original location unexpectedly closed the day before, but after a little improvising, he found another beautiful spot overlooking the river with the Missouri State Capitol nearby, allowing their proposal to still reflect the beginning of their story!
One of my favorite things about Payton and Tanner is how much they genuinely enjoy simply doing life together. Whether they’re going to the movies, finding a new TV show to binge, hiking, traveling, attending Mizzou football games or Cardinals baseball games, spending time with friends and family, or simply enjoying the little things in life, it’s obvious that their favorite place is wherever they’re together!
As we talked during their engagement session, it became so clear why Tanner admires Payton the way he does! He describes her as the most caring person he’s ever met, someone who always puts others before herself, doesn’t know a stranger, and constantly brings out the very best in him. Payton describes Tanner as caring, kind, and driven, and together they make such an effortless team!
Payton and Tanner, thank you for trusting me to document this season of your lives! Your relationship is full of laughter, sweet moments, and genuine joy, and I cannot wait to celebrate alongside you on your wedding day. I have no doubt your wedding will be every bit as joyful as the love you share!
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