They went to college together, but they were mostly friends of friends. Always the life of the party, Robbie's smile gave him center stage in most conversations and his laugh elicited confidence only a guy in his early 20s could possess. While familiar with Robbie, Kirsten kept a casual distance while the room orbited around him.
A couple years later, after Kirsten graduated and moved back to her hometown of Chicago, she got word Robbie moved as well. To Chicago. In a way only college alumni could connect in a big city, their paths crossed again. Still the vivacious guy Kirsten remembered in college, but this time he surprised her by asking her out on a date. No…oh, no…she would not go on a date with Robbie.
It wasn't until a friend persuaded her to go, after all he might surprise her. It took one date for Kirsten to fall under Robbie's glorious spell of charm, humor, and determination. And in an unexpected twist–while the world continued to orbit around Robbie–his heart remained tethered to hers, seeing nothing else.
I was more than happy to spend the afternoon with Robbie and Kirsten in Santa Monica for their engagement pictures. Their wedding is in Chicago later this year, but decided to visit California for a mini vacation, as well as get in front of my camera. Their chemistry is electric and I look forward to documenting their first day as husband and wife in a few months!
In the most random turn of events, the afternoon in Santa Monica was cold, gray, and uncharacteristically windy. We decided to work around the wind (or what I referred to as a California tornado) by finding locations on the beach that shielded us. And when it didn't work as planned, it still provided a natural fan…making Kirsten look like Beyonce in concert.
Kirsten, you're stunning.
One the best things about Robbie is his self-deprecating humor…no one can make Kirsten laugh so quickly…
The light in Santa Monica was beyond stunning…even the overcast skies couldn't dampen the pretty mood of their engagement photos…
I'll end this post with a quiet moment of relaxation. Together. In the sand. Ready for what life has for them.
Happy Monday!
