Have you ever reached out to someone feeling like you already know their heart and passions? Like you just know you’ll become great friends? Well, Lovelies, that is how I felt sending my first email to my sweet friend Alex. She has such a huge heart for people, love stories, marriage and God. Her passions and artistic view of the world are so contagious and I adore spending time with her. So today, I want to introduce you to the amazing woman behind Everlasting Love Photography!

{ Ember Grove Photography }

Here’s a bit from Alex, in her own words:

Hello!! My name is Alex and I am a 23 year old international wedding photographer based in Ames, Iowa! I am a wife to my high-school sweet heart, a daughter to two loving parents, a sister to two brothers, a brother-in-law, and two sister-in-laws! I am a lover of love, family, friends, my sweet pup Nollie, vanilla lattes, the colors mint + gold, traveling, and film photography. I graduated in May, 2014 with a degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University, but decided to pursue this little business full time!

Tell us a bit about your love story and why you love all things wedding.

My husband, Tyler, and I met in 5th grade. (If you ask him, he will say 6th. He obviously made a greater impact on me, than I on him!) We “dated” in 7th grade (as much as two awkward 7th graders can date) went our separate ways, and then began dating again during our senior year of high school. We survived one year of long-distance dating during our first year at college. I transferred to ISU after that first, tough, year, and ended up getting engaged after our sophomore year of college. (PS. Tyler proposed at sunrise on a beach! How romantic right!?)

Our wedding was on 8/4/12, the summer after our junior year. I had secretly started planning our wedding during my freshman year of college, but after Tyler proposed, I was finally free to start openly planning our day! Planning our own wedding is where my love for all things weddings really began!

What is the story of Everlasting Love Photography and how did you get into wedding photography?

During my Junior and Senior years of high school, I started to take portraits of people. I bought an “expensive” point-and-shoot camera and even held mock senior sessions for some of my friends! Then as the busyness of life continued, I put this barely blossoming hobby on the back burner. Then as we were planning our wedding, we looked into DSLRs for a DIY photo booth, which is when I ended up purchasing a “real” camera. I told myself, in order to justify the cost of that little camera; I needed to learn how to use it. I practiced shooting in Manual Mode, and on March 15, 2012 I shot my first subjects, our ring bearers! During this time, several of our close friends and family had gotten engaged. I started doing engagement photos, and I even shot my brother and sister in law’s wedding! Thus Everlasting Love Photography was born!

What is your favorite part of a wedding?

Oh goodness!! There are SO many incredible parts of a wedding! One of my favorite parts, that is so often underrated, is the recessional. That moment after the kiss, the couple is officially husband and wife! There’s always fun music playing, and it’s almost as if that kiss just wiped away all stress leading up to that moment away for good! The couple is always filled with so much joy. I just love it!

What is your favorite wedding trend right now?

I am loving floral crowns!! Such a fun alternative to a veil!

What tip(s) can you share with our readers about planning their wedding?

Work with your planner & photographer to create a timeline!! Don’t try to create one yourself! They know what they’re doing and would love to help you out to create a timeline that ensures you have a stress free day!

Anything else you’d like to share with our HHE readers

Although I 100% believe weddings are important and should reflect who you are as a couple, remember it’s your marriage afterwards that is truly most important. Don’t stress the little things!! No matter what, at the end of the day you will be married to your best friend.

Alex has also recently launched a stunning fine art print shop of some of her favorite images from her and Tyler’s travels. Whether you simply love beautiful images or have a serious heart for wanderlust, you MUST go look at these beautiful prints you can have for your home!!

Head over to visit Alex on social media and her blog to leave her some love and check out how insanely talented she is! Don’t I have the most gifted and kind hearted friends? It blows my mind on the daily!

Everlasting Love Photography online:

Website | Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Shop

xoxo, Jenn