We met Lauren and Nick in downtown Seattle for their engagement shoot. They were instantly happy, relaxed, excited, and so comfortable with each other and had no worries about the camera. (I think they’re both experienced models undercover ;). It was a beautiful sunny day which is wonderful although a bit of a challenge for a photographer to combat those harsh shadows. It didn’t matter a bit though. We found a hidden little oasis that was a water fountain in a parking lot of all places. It was lovely! To get this shot I scooped up a handful of water about 4′ away from Brandon’s camera and let it fall in silver drops. He clicked like crazy knowing that water droplets can be problematic in photos depending on where they fall when you shoot. We were able to capture this amazing shot that we are completely thrilled with.
We had so much fun that day. We found even more areas we had never discovered before and came out with outstanding photos to share with Lauren and Nick.
Here’s what they had to say about the day.

Hey Dawn and Brandon!
We signed our contract this morning, and wanted to thank you again for such a WONDERFUL experience. We will never forget it. The picture on your blog STUNNED ME, we have NEVER looked that good!!!! And how awesome was that water droplet technique?! We love your creativity!
Hope you have a wonderful week!
Lauren and Nick

We love engagement sessions and all of the happy, fun-loving couples we attract into our lives. Thank you Lauren and Nick for such a wonderful day!

How did you meet?

Kyle and I actually come from families who are friends. His parents have known my parents for over 20 years. Kyle and I reconnected working together at his family’s company. I worked in HR and Kyle worked in the warehouse. Kyle needed help on a project in the warehouse, and we worked together for 2 days, 10-11 hour days. After that we were dating. Unfortunately, my dad passed away when Kyle and I had only been together for a month. I told, you’re in or you’re out, and he was in. He was my rock and I think we both decided going through that trauma that even though we aren’t particularly touchy or feely people, we need each other.

When Kyle proposed, he told me we should open gifts. Kyle brought out a large box. As I unwrapped the box, I saw it was for a toaster oven. I was disappointed, but Kyle encouraged me to open it. So I opened the toaster box to find another wrapped gift inside with a note that said ‘you didn’t think it’d be that easy?’. So I unwrapped the second box to find table linens box. I opened that box to find a third wrapped box, this note saying ‘sorry, it’s not a house or a puppy’. Unwrapping and opening the third box, a note came out that said ‘you are my greatest and most expensive asset’, leaving a fourth and very heavy box. As I unwrapped the final box, I turned and said “If you got me quarters…” but inside that box said ‘I have just one question’ and a bunch of marbles and Kyle was holding the perfect ring and asked me to marry him.

We aren’t the most exciting couple, or the most outwardly affectionate people, but we get each other.

Editing a favorite wedding photo

Inspired.
Will post the final version once complete.

Dawn and Brandon have been international wedding photographers for 8 years. They pride themselves on their artistic ability to capture and create breathtaking images of your spectacular day that you will cherish forever.
They are always challenging themselves to take that next image that makes you gasp. They know your wedding day means everything to you, your friends and your family. They will capture emotional moments of joy, laughter, praise and warmth from your day from the glint of pride in your dads eyes when he sees you in your wedding gown for the first time, to your best friend getting emotional during the toasts and the best man doing a victory lap from catching the garter. Dawn and Brandon love weddings and know yours will be incredible.
The Hildebrand Photography wedding album will be your first family heirloom it will be filled with beautiful images of your wedding…showing the true meaning of marriage; love, commitment and happiness. Be sure to have your best memories captured and preserved perfectly by hiring the best…
hire Hildebrand Photography.

Gift #1 Movie poster
Book us at the Seattle Wedding Show and receive your very own movie poster customized for you! (a $100 value).
That’s right, it’s a move poster starring you and your fiancé compliments of Hildebrand Photography.

Gift #2 Guest Sign-in book
You will also receive a guest sign-in book compliments of us (a $300 value). This book is the highest quality. Very soft leather with thick lay-flat pages. Everyone who sees this books wants one of their own, everyone.

Be ready to choose us as your photographers while you’re at the show so you can receive these two gifts.
Be sure to have your best memories captured and preserved perfectly by hiring the best…hire Hildebrand Photography.

Our sweet daughter packed a picnic that the kids and I are enjoying in the car while Brandon does all the heavy lifting of loading the gear into our Seattle Wedding Show booth. I got the easy job. I lucked out. I’m happy to eat gold fish crackers out of a heart shaped red mug and drink juice from a box with my kiddos. Although I really would like to be helping him build our booth too.
Our kids call our expo booth “our little store”. 1f642
We can’t wait for the Seattle Wedding Show!

What a nice, unexpected treat to find this in our mail box today! It’s Jill and Tim’s wedding Save the date card. I cropped out the date for their privacy sake but even cropped it still looks pretty. It’s a magnet and it’ll live on our fridge for a long time.
We can’t wait for their big day!

Our Flyer for the Seattle Wedding Show
Choosing our very best work to display on a 6×11″ space was not easy. We have 10s of thousands of photos and I had to narrow it down to…nine. Four horizontal and 4 vertical, all with the mood that matches us, colors that flow with each other on a page, no duplicate weddings, yes different locations and ones that both Brandon and I agree on. It’s exactly like a puzzle. After much consideration we chose these photos and are very proud to have these impressive (if I do say so myself) flyers to give to hundreds of engaged couples this weekend.
Yes, these are for the Seattle Wedding Show this weekend! We are so excited to meet potential clients this weekend.
Be sure to take the show in stride. Yes, it’s huge and there’s a lot to see but if you narrow it down to your favorites, like Hildebrand Photography, and just enjoy the sights you’ll do just fine. Come say hello and find out what we are offering special for the show!
See you there!
Dawn

Salish Lodge Summer Wedding Album
Our gorgeous hand-stitched, custom made albums designed in a castle in Italy tell the story of your day, quite eloquently too.

Tell your engaged friends about the Seattle Wedding Show coming up this weekend.
It only happens once a year so don’t miss it!

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/seattle-wedding-show-2015-tickets-13301445983

Saturday January 10th, 2015
10:00am to 5:30pm (Tickets sales at the show open at 9:30am)

Sunday January 11th, 2015
10:30am to 5:00pm (Tickets sales at the show open at 10:00am)

Hildebrand Photography can be found at booth number 1312. Come say hello!

Kids 12 and Under are Free
Come to the show Saturday, get your hand stamped on the way out, and come back Sunday for FREE.

Seattle Wedding Show features more than 400 local, regional and national vendors, including event facilities, bakeries, bridal boutiques, caterers, disc jockeys, florists, jewelers, photographers, transportation providers, wedding consultants, and much more!

Classic and contemporary bridal gowns, tuxedos, bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride dresses will be on display at fashion shows held throughout the event.

Stephanie and Troy’s Fauntleroy Church Wedding

Stephanie and Troy’s beautiful red and white wedding at Fauntleroy Church and Palisades Restaurant.
What a beautiful day full of tradition, loved ones and wonderful memories. I can’t wait to post more photos of their day. There are so many heartfelt stories to tell of traditions, dancing, tears of joy and laughter. I promise I will post more soon!

Katie and Sam’s wedding album

Their album turned out incredible! They chose a burgundy leather cover with a crystal glance insert and if that wasn’t gorgeous enough they had metallic paper which gave each page a real pop, like a 3-D effect, completely gorgeous from page to page! We were very proud to hand their albums over to them.

The album company we use is incredible. We have used them our whole career with confidence that they’ll produce a fabulous album suitable to be your first family heirloom to be passed down through generations.

Here’s how they describe their albums:
Flush mount albums with attitude! Exquisite quality combined with fabulous leathers with gorgeous cover options. Move away from the ordinary into the Extraordinary. YOU choose the spine and page style. Leather, silk, metal, woven, maple and more that range from quality basics to the hottest looks around.

We love albums and are always so excited to create them and deliver them to our clients with pride.