Every once in a while, I get to document a love story that feels like it was written in the stars. Kristen and AJ’s journey is one of those rare and beautiful ones that continues to unfold in the most heartfelt, meaningful ways. Starting with their engagement Sand Key photoshoot on the beach where AJ proposed, each chapter in their story has been wrapped in love, laughter, and thoughtful intention. And now, just when I thought their story couldn’t get any sweeter, they invited me back to photograph their next big milestone, announcing their very first baby. A little girl. Due in September.
And the best part? We returned to the very same beach where AJ popped the question, where it all began. That familiar stretch of sand, with its gentle waves and warm breeze, became the backdrop once again, this time for a different kind of celebration. One filled with gentle hands resting on Kristen’s growing belly, and a glow that only expectant parents can wear. It was the kind of full-circle moment that gives you chills, and as a photographer, it was such a joy and honor to capture it.
Where It All Began: A Beachside Proposal
Let’s rewind a little. Before the wedding and before baby girl made her grand announcement, Kristen and AJ were just two people in love, walking along a quiet beach. That’s where AJ proposed, right on that same shoreline, with the ocean as their soundtrack and the softest golden light wrapping around them.
It was private, personal, and completely them.
When I photographed their engagement session shortly after, it only made sense to return to that spot. The energy was still there, nostalgic, romantic, and full of excitement for the future. They were playful and relaxed, so comfortable in each other’s arms. There’s just something about being in a place that already holds so much of their story. It shows up in the photos. The smiles are softer, the moments more genuine, and the love more visible.
The Wedding: A Sentimental Celebration on Amelia Island
Their wedding was just as intentional and intimate. Kristen chose Amelia Island because it wasn’t just beautiful, it was personal. She grew up vacationing there with her family, and the island holds so many childhood memories. So to say “I do” in a place already rich in meaning? That’s the kind of wedding magic you can’t fake.
Amelia Island is one of Florida’s hidden gems, nestled along the Atlantic coast with its moss-draped oaks, quiet beaches, and small-town charm. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, and that calm energy added so much to their wedding weekend. Every moment felt rooted in love and memory.
The Sweetest Return: Baby Girl on the Way
Fast-forward to this year, they’re expecting their first baby, and wanted to do their announcement photos at the same beach where it all started. I think I said “yes” before she even finished asking. We all knew how meaningful it would be to return to that shoreline again, now as a growing family.
Watching them walk hand in hand along the water, Kristen glowing with motherhood and AJ beaming with quiet pride, felt surreal. There was this peacefulness between them, like they were both soaking in the joy of what’s to come while still honoring everything that had brought them to this moment. The excitement for their baby girl was written all over their faces.
What made their Sand Key photoshoot so moving wasn’t props, it was the connection. The way AJ rested his hand protectively on Kristen’s belly, the way she smiled at AJ, and the way they looked out at the ocean like they could already imagine bringing their daughter here someday. It was pure love. And I could feel it in every click of the shutter.
Why I Love Being A Florida Photographer
Sessions like this are why I love being a photographer. It isn’t just about pretty backdrops and golden hour lighting, though those things are wonderful. It’s about stories, capturing the threads of a relationship as they evolve and deepen. It’s about coming back to a place with a couple, years later, and seeing how their love has grown, and who they’re becoming together.
For Kristen and AJ, this beach is more than just a location. It’s a living memory. First, it witnessed a proposal. And now, it holds the promise of a new chapter, the beginning of parenthood. That’s something special. That’s something I’ll never take for granted.
Final Thoughts: A Story Still Being Written
Kristen and AJ, thank you for letting me be part of your story, from engaged sweethearts to nearly-new parents. Photographing your journey has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Your love is rooted in all the right things; joy, intention, respect, and unwavering partnership. I know your little girl is going to grow up surrounded by the kind of love that makes life feel like home.
If you’re reading this and dreaming of your own milestone moment, perhaps a Sand Key photoshoot, I’d love to help you tell that story. Especially if it involves the coast, some salty air, and a whole lot of heart.
Interested in booking photography for your special occasion?
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