Ash & Zach ~ Love

First of all, I'll start with a little background. Ashley is one of my dearest friends (we also share our birthday! how cool is that?!), and we have known each other for quite a few years now (I think it's around 5 or 6...). I call her Ash - so just for future reference Ashley and Ash are the same person. :) Zach is Ash's boyfriend, and has known my hubby for I-don't-even-know-how-many years...they grew up together (along with Zach's 2 brothers), and still hang out just about every weekend. A couple of weeks ago Ash and I were chatting and she mentioned she wanted me to take some photos of her and Zach so that they could send out a Christmas Card this year. Well let me tell you I jumped at the opportunity! I am really loving practicing my portrait skills (up to 2 now, yesss!) and photographing friends/family is a good place to start (in my opinion) because that awkard ice-breaker, I don't really know you vibe isn't there. So last week I met up with Ash, Zach and their little Yorkie, Missy, and we headed to the park by their house for some fun. I took about a million more photos than I had planned, and I must say I really impressed myself! Just between portrait attempt #1 and #2 I think I have improved. I will say, though, that Ash and Zach were totally easy subjects. They are both goofballs, but are also totally head-over-heals for each other, and let me just say that makes for some great photos.

So anyway, enough blabbing, on to the photos. I had a really hard time narrowing them down, so I'll just tell you now there's a lot. :) Enjoy!

How stinking cute is Missy?!

This is one of the teasers I posted...I think it looks a ton better now that it's edited (if I may say so myself :)

I love Ash's face in this one! I must have said something HILARIOUS here... ;)

If you can't tell from this image...Missy is a little ball of energy!

This is one of my favorites.

I told Zach to climb a tree for this one (knowing he would be ALL over it), and although it is nothing like the image I was picturing in my head, I think it came out pretty cute!

And this one's just awesome. Put those guns away, Zach. :)

And the other teaser...new and improved :)

If you know Ash & Zach, you are not all surpised at the fact that an arm wrestling match broke out during this series of shots...

This is another favorite. I think it would be adorable on a Christmas card for one, and I am in love with Missy's tounge-action too!

We were on our way back to the car when Ash spotted this little bundle of trees that was a perfect backdrop. She stopped and smiled, and Zach just lurked in the back for a second...I actually think it came out to be a really neat shot!

And then I made them go all "lovey dovey" :)

Then I told them to look off into the distance as if there was something really intriguing going on... and the goofballs that they are, gave me this (notice how Missy even got in on the action!)

And remember in my portrait post how I said I wanted to get a good series of shots? Well here is what I came up with...

And last but not least...a few of the little booger herself, Missy

Don't you just want to pick her up and squeeze her?!?!?!

Ash & Zach - you know I love you guys, and I was so happy to get to document your love for each other! I can't wait to see which image ends up in my mailbox this year on your Christmas card!! XOXO