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Bridal Photography at the US Air Force Academy

August 3, 2013

Colorado Springs Bridal Photography, Air Force Academy Wedding Photography, Colorado Bridal Session, Air Force Academy Bridal

Life is the first gift, Love is the second, and Understanding is the third.

Marge Piercy

Barbie & Sawyer are such a sweet and fun couple! A long time ago I had posted on Facebook about looking to do a shoot for a military couple who wanted to “Re-Do their I-Do” and Barbie immediately emailed me. They were originally married on July 16, 2010 in San Antonio. Sawyer was fresh out of basic training for the US Air Force there at Lackland AFB, and they had a small intimate ceremony at the Riverwalk with their immediate family. The Marriage Island, exactly where they had gotten married, was the location of the first Catholic mass, and river guides claim that the island brings good luck to new marriage (it also happens to be in the shape of a heart, which is both awesome and aesthetically pleasing – hehe!). While Barbie loved her wedding day, she really wanted to re-do her wedding photos of just the two of them because they really didn’t have any from their wedding day. We actually did this shoot a few days shy of their third wedding anniversary, so it was a really fun day. Even Sawyer really had a good time!

Together Sawyer and Barbie have been blessed with two beautiful babies, 5-year-old Avery and 21-month-old Heidi. Sawyer is the sweetest little boy, loves to play soccer (and dad is the assistant coach!). He starts kindergarten this fall, which is super exciting. I am sure Barbie will be the coolest mom in the kindergarten class – she is wicked talented and crafty with things! Their family loves to go camping, fishing and hunting together (so Colorado is absolutely perfect for them!).

I love to ask brides and grooms what they love about each other – it gives me an insight into who they are as a married couple and what makes their love story so special. Sawyer adores Barbie – that much is clear. When I asked him what he loves so much about her – he literally sent me an itemized list! But to sum it up – he loves everything about her. He loves her compassion and patience, understanding and kindness. He loves her as a mother. He loves that she pushes him – even if he doesn’t think he needs the push (us wives know better – wink wink). And Barbie? Well, she is just smitten as a kitten about Sawyer. She says, “I love that Sawyer is so supportive of me in everything that I do. When I struggle through a problem such as a class in school and he might be able to help me, he takes time to sit and HOPEFULLY explain things to me. He also pushes me to better myself at hunting and fishing and hopefully we will go together on a Elk hunt or Deer hunt. Then hopefully I will have the courage to take one of my own and pack it out. He is constantly lifting me up as an individual and telling me how beautiful I am and lucky he is to have married me.”
She even sent me this sweet poem she wrote for him, which I’m excited to share with you!

Who would have thought!
That just one dance was the answer,
That just one call started it all,
That just one kiss could ignite this flame,
That just one date could decide our fate,
Who would have thought!
We would ever end up floating,
We would ever be lost in someone else,
We would ever have this dream come true,
We would ever know love like this exists.
Who would have thought!

You’re the Father you don’t have to be,
The Lover you want to be,
And the best friend I could ever ask for!
I love you so much honey!!

Leave a Reply

  1. Jasmine Star says:

    What a lovely set of photos! Great job! 🙂

  2. Amy Vassar Photography says:

    I can’t decide which I love more — your introduction to the photos or the gorgeous colors and lighting in the photos themselves. Beautiful work!

  3. Debbie M says:

    Love. Beautiful photos.

  4. jes says:

    beautiful wedding and thanks to the groom for serving our country!

  5. sarah says:

    lovely! your black and whites are so pretty.

  6. What an amazing gift for this couple’s third anniversary. The last few images are my favorite – intimate, natural and beautiful.

Heyyyy ... I'm Ashley Durham and I'm a luxury wedding photographer in Phoenix, but I travel all over Arizona and the desert southwest to hang out with the most incredible people. I am obsessed with puppies, extra hot coffee, sunrise and firmly believe that love conquers all.

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