Andrea & Collin

When my couple Andrea and Collin approached me about a science themed engagement session, I just knew that I had to make it happen. Months went by of posting S.O.S. help me notes on Facebook, emailing high schools, emailing colleges, and calling teachers to find a science lab we could borrow. Even though I probably received over 50 nos to the idea, I kept persevering and that is when my sweet friend Sue offered. Sue knew of a lab that we could probably borrow for our session and worked on getting approval from her dean.

Keeping Andrea in the loop the whole time, she must have thought I was crazy to keep trying. I was determined. The idea and the shots were in my mind and there was no way I was going to let their dream engagement not happen. While Sue worked on getting approval, my couple worked on their plans to come down from Tallahassee. Putting their trust in me, they ventured the four hour drive down to a lab we had both never seen.

Upon arriving, Sue greeted us with her warm smile and excitement to help make our shoot happen! The lab was PERFECT! Filled with tables, lab equipment, white walls, and rolling chairs, it screamed SCIENCE! You may have seen my couple before during their “Notebook” engagement that inadvertently happened when it started pouring down on us. Making the best of our time together, they splashed in puddles and kissed in the rain. It was during their first engagement that I realized how silly they were and how much I just couldn’t wait to be a part of their big day.

Collin surprised me by bringing dry ice to the session. It gave the perfect “this is about to blow up” feel with a little bit of smoke coming out of our beakers. Andrea’s adorable, but deadly, virus and disease plus toys made their second appearance (previously hid out in a tree during our first session) for a handful of photos as well. From microbes to amoebas, each one smiled perfectly for the camera.

The two are also very sentimental. Collin wore his original science lab shoes that he first met Andrea in. They even contemplated having him wear them for the wedding day, but ended up deciding dress shoes would be best hehe. The lab coats are also important to the two, as the coats were their original lab coats back in college. Last, but not least, don’t you just love the ring shots! They pop because of the vintage, gold microscopes Andrea picked up before the shoot.

Shoots like these take so much planning, but are so incredibly worth it. I always push for my couples to choose a theme and location that has meaning to them. Sometimes it is a walk in a favorite park nearby and sometimes it is visiting a fully packed science lab to get your inner science geek on with your photographer.

Ps. For those of you who do not know me well (yet!)… I am a complete nerd! My couple had their fair share of my extensive questions about how everything worked and what every little plush amoeba could do. Looking forward to capturing their special day at Mission Inn this coming year 🙂