Jayla & Dustin | Dothan, Alabama Photographer

So… I completely failed at slimming down the photos for this blog post. This engagement session was simply too wonderful not to share. {I’m actually still leaving out several I love….but come on. I’ve got to draw the line somewhere!}

Jayla and Dustin were a blast. When I spoke to Jayla about her e-session and asked her if she had anything special that she would like to use as a prop, she took the idea and ran with it…which I absolutely LOVED. Every single prop used in this e-session had a special meaning to the couple.

We photographed Jayla and Dustin’s session on Jayla’s family’s property. The pew was from the church Jayla’s father attended. Her dad passed away while her mom was pregnant with her, but this is the pew that her dad actually sat on in church. Her step-father cut it down and shortened it, and that made it just the right length for Dustin and Jayla.

Jayla: “When my church built the new sanctuary they sold the old pews as one of the fundraisers. That was back when your family ALWAYS sat on the same pew. It’s amazing to think about that pew and all my family members that have sat there, including my late grandparents and dad. And of course I took many naps on that very pew when I was very little.”  {I think that is SO special.}

The quilts used were made by both Jayla and Dustin’s grandmothers. Actually, I think some of the quilts that we used {we used several} were hand-made by Jayla’s great-great grandmother. The phonograph in the photo at the bottom of the post belonged to Jayla’s grandmother too. {We all decided that it would make for a really great ring shot!}

I think the coolest thing of all is the old tractor. The tractor was Jayla’s father’s too. It had not run in years, but then Jayla met Dustin. He’s pretty handy, and he is also pretty interested in tractors. WELL, believe it or not, he’s gotten that tractor running again. It’s become one of his projects! {How awesome is that?}

The very best part about this session, though? These two know how to be photographed. Apparently Jayla has spent time practicing {and even made Dustin practice too}! Well let me tell you…I’m tempted to make all of my clients practice. 😉 She certainly perfected “smiling with her eyes!” {Thanks to Tyra!}

Oh! And another funny little tidbit? I didn’t know it when we were going through the booking process with Jayla, but I realized it after we became friends on Facebook. It turns out, Dustin and I went to Pre-K together at Northside Methodist in Dothan. {It’s a very, very small world!}

Jayla and Dustin, we had a great time with you two! We’re very much looking forward to photographing your wedding. December will be here before you know it!

4 comments
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  • Jayla JohnsonNovember 4, 2010 - 8:38 am

    Sarah and Thomas… Ya’ll are amazing! Thank you so much for making this experience super SUPER fun:)& one of our favorite dates 🙂 I cannot wait to see the rest of these pics and the wedding pictures {please tell December 18th to hurry on up and get here!} I know they are going to be just magical 🙂ReplyCancel

  • SarahNovember 17, 2010 - 1:53 pm

    We had a great time too, Jayla! We are looking forward to December 18th too… It’ll be here before you know it! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • JoAnn PrestonMarch 16, 2011 - 10:14 am

    The pictures were great! and extra special considering the props and the couple!ReplyCancel

  • michelle maloneyApril 25, 2015 - 8:49 am

    Hi I’m looking for someone to take some newborn/family pics really soon,baby is 15 days old so the sooner the better. I’m looking to get pics put on a cd. TyReplyCancel

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