ryan+ali {fabulous.final.curtain}

ali and ryan...my final wedding of 2012...and what a wedding! after quite a bit of rain in october, you could not have planned for a more perfect day this past saturday...gorgeous blue skies, crisp fall air, glowing sun, best friends saying i do...it was all pretty amazing!

and even at the end of the night, as sometimes i have a tendency to do..i found my way to the dance floor for a few numbers, and man...this crowd knew how to break it down!

r & a ...thank you so very much for putting your trust in me and bringing me along for the ride...i could not have asked for a better closing curtain to my 2012 weddings*

cheers, and blessings,

- npe

josiah {and.the.kesslers}

i had to step back and just stand amazed at the blessings of God in my life. 28 years ago, my friend josh and i were just starting out on a friendship that has proved to be lifelong and life-giving.  and now, with the chance to photograph his very first son along with his lovely wife stephanie, i stand amazed at where God has brought me!

i do have to say, i laughed a lot while editing these shots of josiah...i mean, tell me that face doesn't get you every time, haha.  love it!

- npe

spanky+jennifer {love.down.a.country.road}

my third week in a row heading north..and once again michigan delivered! beautiful colors and an even more beautiful bride and groom! spanky and jennifer were so so ready! i could tell from the moment i arrived, that this was going to be their perfect day, because they purposed to live every moment, in the moment, and take the day as it came with joy and appreciation.

with two infectious smiles, jenn and spank won my heart as i watched their overwhelming love for each other play out in such a joyous celebration - you two love life, a lot! what an honor and privilege it was for me to be with you on your wedding day.

peace and blessings my friends*

-npe

jay+chelsea {singing.in.the.rain}

amid the romance of beautiful fall colors and rain tapping on the window pane...chelsea and jay said 'i do' and vowed their lives to each other. although rain on her wedding day may not have been what chelsea had hoped for, nothing could keep this day from being splendid in every way.  with a bridal party and wedding couple ready to brave any element of weather, we had the opportunity for some moments that turned out as beautiful and one of a kind as these two are.

blessings to you j&c - now go get lost in that caribbean sun!

-npe

dustin+recia {under.a.rainbow.sky}

i am so incredibly grateful for clients who trust me with their wedding day and are excited to have me share in the festivities of such a marvelous celebration. and i would have to say that recia and dustin are such clients in rare form!  i felt so welcomed and so encouraged throughout their entire day...working within the freedom of my passion and personal perspective, both dustin and recia reminded me time and time again how thankful they were for me...wow, talk about a humbling, grateful place to be!

the fire of fall in michigan delivered again, with colors of brilliance and a rainbow to match.

thanks you two, you make my job such a joy! i hope you enjoy this preview*

oh...and yes, at the end, it is gangnam style, and things got crazy...just in case you were wondering*

blessings,

-npe

matt+carly {fall.farm.fairytale}

changing colors and the beauty of a fall day in michigan - this was an amazing canvas to paint on with photos from the wedding celebration of matt & carly! i can remember a conversation i had with matt during their engagement session...when carly needed to run back to the car for something...listening to him speak of his to be bride - this man was in love.  he was in love in every sense of the word, from the romance that had started when they first met, to the commitment he knew he was making when taking carly's hand in marriage.  he was not only marrying her, but beginning a family with her two beautiful children.

i was so excited to be with them on this day...and to witness two families joining, surrounding this beautiful couple in love and encouragement.

matt, carly..thank you - was truly splendid!

-npe

matt+liz {and.we'll.have.fun.fun.fun}

joyous people are pretty awesome to hang out with - no doubt about it. for liz and matt at their wedding celebration - the beach boys put it well...we certainly had a lot of fun, fun, fun! i was honored to spend the day with these two and witness their joy firsthand.

with plenty of amazing friends and family on hand for their shin-dig, matt and liz made the most of an incredibly beautiful day - cheers my friends! blessings to you in the adventure that lies ahead!

-npe

beginnings {the.wild.west}

i had the amazing opportunity to spend a few extra days in washington last month, after the wedding of some dear friends... this is where it all began for me...where i learned to walk, where i spent my childhood summers, where i grew up in the shadow of mountains, where i fell in love with my savior Jesus...where the first chapter of my life played out.

it was so good for my soul to return to a place that will always hold a special place in my heart and memory.  i spent a few days backpacking with a good friend, witnessed the rolling in of smoke from wildfires in the valley, strolled the streets of my hometown bavarian village, reveled in the beauty of the seattle skyline, and took in all the color of pike place market.

probably the only thing that could have made a good trip great..would have been the company of my wife and kids!  i cannot wait to explore new trails and make new memories in the beautiful wild country of the pacific northwest with my children and best friend - don't worry washington, we won't be gone long*

max {and.the.epic.island.boys}

  we set out with one goal in mind...to give our dear friend max, a bachelor party to remember.

seven friends heading off to the beauties of northern michigan, ready for the glories of God's creation, the bond of brotherhood, and the memories to be made.

i may say it often, but probably not often enough...i am blessed.  to spend these three days with chad, kevin, jordan, will, james, and max was an incredible privilege.  humble men of God, enjoying the fellowship of brotherhood and encouraging max as he prepares to marry his beautiful bride, chelsea.

and that one goal...yeah, i think we reached it*

here is our adventure...

-npe

mi belleza {made.for.the.sun}

'dark am i, yet lovely'

if there is a sunset upon the waters of perfection, her face shines brighter.

if there are flashes of beauty across the star lit sky, her eyes flash fiercer.

if there is a crowning beauty only God can create, it's home is in her gaze.

her life, a gift of beauty and love. my bride.

my wife is beautiful, truly in every way. and probably the only place that could even come close to heightening that beauty, is the sunny escape of a palm tree canopied beach.  on our recent retreat i had the chance to do a little shoot with my wonderful kay, and these are a few of my favorites!

-npe