laura loves… july edition
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Hey, look, I had enough photos from this past month to put together a collage like I used to do! Either that or *lots* more stuff happened. :-) Either way, I’m happy to share what this past month has brought – visitors, my bff’s baby bump, and bedtime snacks.

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1. Catrons came to visit! Lance’s parents camped out here for the 4th of July, so naturally we had to get a photo of the whole group! p.s. Welcome to the group, Mike! :-)

2. Manual labor – Okay, so this one I’m not *so* excited about. But by the end of the summer I’ll be so glad that we have some lawn in our back yard! It’s hard to tell in this photo, but I had just wrangled a roll of germination blanket and was left covered in little green flecks.

3. Wheaties – the bedtime snack of champions. Does anyone else out there get hungry before bedtime and need a little snack? Growing up, I *always* had to have a bowl of cereal before bedtime. This photo is from the night of Steve + Lindsey’s wedding – I was tired, backing up my photos, and a little hungry. I took this photo and sent it to my mom, because she’s the only one who understands my need for bedtime snacks, and would appreciate my take on the slogan.

4. Brauns came to visit!! My parents drove their convertible out so we could truly enjoy a drive down Spearfish Canyon, followed by carrot cake at Cheyenne Crossing. ‘Twas a good time had by all. p.s. Please don’t mistake my husband for Rory McIlroy – he just really likes to wear bright colors.

5. My bff is having a baby!!! She’s due in September, and I can’t wait to meet the little one and watch my friend become a mother! :-)

6. Succulents – Thank goodness for plants that don’t need to be watered every day! These things are doing so well (minus that dried up little guy in the front of the big planter) they make me feel like I know what I’m doing. Which, for the record, I totally don’t.

garth + karlie ENGAGED!! Sioux Falls engagement photography
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Check these two out- they drove 5 hours just to meet me the one evening I had free while in Sioux Falls! They are so casual, cute, and comfortable in front of my camera, and I cannot wait to photograph them again in November for their wedding! sioux falls engagement photographer 02 sioux falls engagement photographer 03 sioux falls engagement photographer 04 sioux falls engagement photographer 05 sioux falls engagement photographer 06 sioux falls engagement photographer 07 sioux falls engagement photographer 08 sioux falls engagement photographer 09That one on the right? FAVORITE!!!  Well, all of these are my favorites, but this tops the list. :-) sioux falls engagement photographer 10 sioux falls engagement photographer 11

steve + lindsey MARRIED!! Custer State Park wedding photography
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Check these guys out – they’re sweet, in love, and SOOOOO excited to be married!! My favorite combo. ;-)

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This next photo is my ‘first favorite’ – the one I loved as soon as I took it, and then posted to Instagram as soon as I had it backed up! :-)

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… and then the rain came. So we scrambled over to the Game Lodge to take cover, and get a few photos under said cover. :-)

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Thankfully the rain stopped for us to get wedding party photos done, but then it started again until ceremony time – it’s as though someone from up above just knew we had a wedding to do!

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LOVE THIS!!!! I’m smiling ear-to-ear all over again just looking at their excitement of being announced MR & MRS!!!

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Just before the ceremony, Lindsay’s cousin (I think?) said ‘Grandma’s here for the wedding’ and set this butterfly on her bouquet. And then it stayed there for the WHOLE CEREMONY!! And for the next few photos. How precious is that?!

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I loooooove it when couples have a little down time scheduled before heading over to the reception – we had the prettiest light for photos – and the rain stayed away!! :-)

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The cupcakes, oh the cupcakes!! I may or may not have been bullied into having more than one. Peer pressure is real, you guys! ;-)

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Steve + Lindsey surprised their guests with a choreographed dance – there was a collective ‘awww’ when they started, it was so sweet!! :-)

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Lindsay’s parents will be celebrating their 40th anniversary (can that be right?), so they had a song played just for them and I looooooove how in love they still are!!

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Steve + Lindsey – Thanks for being so flexible with the change in forecast! Again, I apologize for the humidity and bugs – I guess they just wanted you to feel at home?? ;-) Also, I soooo wanted to post our ‘pouting because of the rain’ selfie, but I just couldn’t end the post with sad faces – I had too much fun with you guys!! I hope married life is treating you well so far, and I hope you take your new boat out as much as you can this summer! Love and hugs, Laura.

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james + caitlin ENGAGED!! Rapid City engagement photography
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Internet, meet James + Caitlin. They are fun, silly, engaged, and super adorable. :-)
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This was unintentionally focused on the tall grass instead of James + Caitlin, but I prefer to call it a happy little accident. :-)Rapid City engagement photographer studio lb 04

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I try to ask each of my couples if there are any photos they’d like to do, and this next one was Caitlin’s request – I’m so glad she did, because I think it’s my favorite from the whole session! :-)Rapid City engagement photographer studio lb 12

Thanks, you two for being so giggly and cuddly – I am very much looking forward to your wedding next year!! :-) Also, thanks for the bug lesson, although I may have already forgot what the ‘gnats’ were called.

rod + angie MARRIED!! Custer State Park wedding photography
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Seven years of doing what I love (photographing people in love) and it just keeps getting better!! I’m so happy that Rod + Angie found me and hired me for their intimate Fourth of July wedding in Custer State Park!

We met a few days before the wedding for ice cream and they told me they would be the most laid back, easy-going couple to work with. I thought ‘yeah, sure, okay, we’ll see how the day goes.’ You see, most of my couples are laid back and easy-going couples… and here they are challenging to top that list?! But man, oh man, not only were they super relaxed, they were SO stinkin’ adorable in front of my camera!! :-)

Their first look:

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I imagine Rod was whispering sweet nothings into Angie’s ear. *This* is is exactly why I keep my distance during first looks – so couples can feel free to be themselves and tell each other exactly what they’re thinking and feeling. :-)

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Rod, I love how you look at Angie. :-)

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These two have a lot of fun together. You know how I know? This next photo sums it up perfectly.

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This blog post showcases my favorites of the day, but this next photo? My favorite of favorites.

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Rod and Angie didn’t have any attendants, so instead of having a big, long, procession, they walked with each other up the aisle – how fun is that?!

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A guest came up to me during the reception and asked if I noticed Rod’s secret service posture during the ceremony – I did, but I also caught this little smirk. You’re welcome. :-) Angie, on the other hand – well, I’m pretty sure she smiled through the whole thing!

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Gosh, I can’t get over how cute you two are!! Angie, your beaming smile, and Rod – do I see something in your eyes? Don’t worry – you can always blame it on ‘allergies’ if you need to maintain your tough guy persona. ;-)

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The beautiful thing about small weddings is that couples get to visit with their guests – just imagine all the wonderful memories Rod + Angie gathered that evening!!

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Another fun memory for them? The huge rain shower and pea-sized hail that came down during dinner. Then, the sun pushed the clouds away and I selfishly stole Rod + Angie away from their guests. Custer State Park wedding photographer studio lb 21

Thanks, again, you guys for having me photograph your wedding! You really did top the list of laid back, easy-going couples I’ve worked with and I will be forever grateful for having met you both!!Custer State Park wedding photographer studio lb 22