There are moments in life that hold a special place in your heart, and Hannah & Major's story is one of those for me. As someone who’s had the privilege of watching Hannah grow up, this session was extra meaningful. She’s been like family to me from the very beginning, and being part of her life in so many moments made this shoot feel incredibly personal.
Hannah has been in my life for years. She was my niece’s built-in best friend from when they were just 2 or 3 years old. I’ve watched this sweet girl grow up, from the day I went into labor with my oldest son, Caleb, to the day I brought Dax and Pecos home from the hospital. Hannah was there for all of it, sharing in my family’s joys. I consider her my honorary niece, and over the years, she’s become like a daughter to me. It’s been such an honor being her "bonus aunt."
In 2022, the fun continued when Hannah, along with my niece Audrynn, signed up to be senior reps on my Senior Rep team. I got to be right there with her as she continued to grow and experience life. So when the time came for her senior photos, I was beyond excited to capture that milestone for her.
Fast forward a bit, after graduation, Hannah introduced me to Major—the love of her life. I remember the day she called me, excited to tell me about this amazing guy. She said, "Aunt Jay, can you please take couple pictures for me?" Of course, I was all in. And let me tell you, Major was everything she deserved. They were truly a picture-perfect couple, and I loved seeing them together.
Then, in the Fall of 2024, as I was updating Hannah’s family photos, she shared some exciting news: Major was "THE ONE!" I could feel it in my bones that I’d be hearing about an engagement soon. Sure enough, just before Christmas, Hannah’s mom called me with the exciting news—Major was going to propose on December 28, 2024! She wanted me to capture the special moment, but sadly, I couldn’t make it. Pecos’ birthday was the same day and we had family plans.
But, as soon as the proposal happened, Hannah texted me with the good news. She wanted to know if I could take their engagement photos, and of course, we got right to work planning the perfect session.
Now, the day of the shoot… let’s just say, the weather wasn’t exactly in our favor. It was cold, gray, and misting, with no sign of the sunshine we were hoping for. Any other client, and I probably would’ve rescheduled, but Hannah had already had her hair and makeup done, and we decided to push forward. Looking at the images now, I’m so glad we didn’t cancel. The weather actually added a beautiful, moody vibe to the photos, making them even more special. We were out there for only about 25 minutes, but in that short time, we captured so many stunning shots.
Hannah also pushed me outside of my comfort zone, asking for a few shots that were a bit outside my usual style but totally on-trend. I’m so glad I took the leap because I absolutely love how they turned out.
Hannah and Major, I can’t wait to capture your big day in 2026! I’m so happy for you both and wish you a lifetime of love, laughter, and happiness together. Always know that Aunt Jay is here with her camera, ready to document every beautiful moment in your life.
XOXO,
Aunt Jay
