RACHEL+STEPHEN : PROMISED Springfield Illinois Winter Engagement Session
Almost all of the couples I photograph engagement session for (with the exception of just one other!) are couples that I get to photograph their wedding. I think engagement sessions are so important that they are included as a part of my wedding coverage- complimentary, and just a part of it all, so I get to do a lot of them- and encourage couples who inquire about just an engagement session to do it with their wedding photographer! That being said, sometimes there are extenuating circumstances and Rachel and Stephen are one of them. They both serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, and are operating under a very difficult wedding planning schedule that does not give them much ability to plan ahead. But they knew they wanted to take some time, for the few precious days that they were in the same state over Christmas, to capture their engagement session, and I am so honored they chose me.
First of all, these two are just special people. Fun to talk to, very sweet and kind, and clearly crazy about each other- it was just so fun to get to know them a bit! They both love their families and each other and are driven towards their futures. Stephen is in active duty and going to move overseas soon and they know that they will have to spend much of their next few years apart. But they still want to get married, and soon- they don’t want to wait for their forever to begin. They plan to get married in Rachel’s hometown church in a few months, and I know it will be a perfect day. And in addition to all that- they are beautiful!! I absolutely loved how they stood out among the winter. I am a photographer who loves photographing in winter- there is something about bare branches that I find beautiful while others do not. And they were the perfect subject for that backdrop- yet their beauty is completely undeniable! Meet Rachel and Stephen!
Their connection is undeniable!
Rachel has one of the BEST “model” faces I have ever seen!! 
Oh this joy!!
Favorite!
LOVE these ring shots!
Congratulations on your engagement, Rachel and Stephen! I am so excited for your future together, and know it will be as beautiful as you both!
This session was my 99th/100 session (including weddings and minis) of 2015. And my 100th and final of 2015 to blog. What an enormous honor!
To view other JGP Engagement sessions, click here!
Edit your cell phone photos with just ONE click to either "fix" an issue or add beautiful "flair" and style to your photo!
JILL GUM Everyday
Fix and Flair Presets
INTRODUCING
LEARN MORE
before / after
Click to leave a blog Comment!
We love reading your thoughts! Please also feel free to share the post using the links below!
Leave a Reply
I'm Jill, a wedding and portrait photographer based out of Chicago and Central Illinois, and available world wide! I'm also a photography educator, wife to my favorite person on the planet, mama to 3 amazing kids and an energetic Aussie, and obsessed with statement jewelry and all desserts (especially fruit pies!).
As a past high school teacher, I have a major heart for education. After going full time in my business, I have built a business I love that gives me an almost 6 figure salary and allows me to be home part time with my kids. I dream for you to run a business that enhances your life and lights you up, and I believe I can help you learn how to do it with a little hustle and a lot of heart!
click to learn more about me
Hello Friend!
Are you a Photographer?
Start HERE!
Are you a mom/hobbyist?
Start HERE!
You're in the right place! As a past high school teacher, educating others is my life's work and a HUGE part of my business! I have been teaching moms and hobbyists how to use their camera from first purchasing it all the way to coaching them into businesses of their own, and I'd love to help you as well, wherever you are (and whatever camera you have!).
I'm so glad you are here! Teaching Photographers and other small business owners how to run more joyful, successful, and profitable businesses is one of my favorite parts of my business! I specialize in working with photographers to make their goals a reality (or figure out what their goals should be in the first place!).
I loooooooove that last image! But they’re all SO good! 🙂
Thank you–that was my favorite too hehe 🙂
I love these!
Thank you!!! 🙂
What a beautiful couple! They looked so happy and so loving throughout their session!! Congrats to a great 2015!!
These are gorgeous!!
What a beautiful “Promised” session!
Thanks Ashley!! 🙂
These pictures are AMAZING! As Rachel’s Mom, I know that I am biased when saying how beautiful she is, but her face definitely has a new light to it since Stephen’s entered into her life! My husband and I have prayed since she was a little girl that God would bring a good Christian man into her life who would love, cherish, and respect her. Stephen does all that with such a strong, quiet resilience. These pictures are proof of that love! I pray that as life’s challenges arise in their marriage that they work through them with their loving bond and their love in God. I am proud to welcome Stephen into our family and I can’t wait to see where God takes them in the future! All our love – forever and always – Mom & Dad
Absolutely loved reading this–I could not wish more for any of my couples than that love, cherish, and respect with a marriage centered on Christ! So very excited for them (and for you all!)!
These two are a beautiful couple, they are kind and giving, sweet and generous. And when your in the same room with them, you feel the love, it’s very intense. I’ve just recently met Rachel, and from what I know..she is very sweet, caring and very family oriented which is one of the things I love about her, she brings out a side to Stephen I’ve never seen before..a side I knew was there but just never seen and I’m very grateful for that. Stephen needs positivity in his life, he is a very very caring, loving and loyal person, I could go all day about how much I love and miss him, and wish that I could have shared more of the good times he has had with him, I’m proud of the man he has become..I know his gramma is very much proud and I also know his grandpa which was a huge male influence in his life growing up is smiling an extra big smile from heaven at who he has become. When Rachel and Stephen told me they were getting married a wide range of emotions went through me.. I laid awake that whole night thinking about it..baby pics flashed through my mind..and regret and emotions that I still haven’t figured out yet, all positive of course, just wish I could go back and have a lot of those times back and wished I could have changed a few things.. But most of all excepting that I can’t change those things, but I can change what happens from here on out..and that’s where Rachael’s family valves come in and she has brought us closer..I’m eternally grateful for that!! Racheal has been a god send from heaven.. She is strong, has good values has her stuff together, but most of all she loves Stephen.. Her face just lights up when she sees him and vise versa.. These two kids are risking their life to fight for our country.. And unfortunately will be spending a lot of time apart at first, but knowing it’s all for a bright strong and long future together! I know that some might think they are to young, or they don’t know each other long enough, but I truly believe you know when you know, and if your going to “grow old” with someone, then you should do just that, “grow old” with that person. I’m proud and honored to call Rachel my daughter in law..and I know they will make this marriage a good strong one by building that strong foundation first. Thank you both for fighting for our freedom, your both amazing, we will be seeing you soon and again we are honored to have Rachel join our family..and thank you for letting your brother and sister Stephen be apart of your and Rachel special day, we love you both!!