Sam and Emily // Tyler, TX

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Sam and Emily // Tyler, TX

"I had seen some of Cody’s work and was so happy that we chose him to be a part of not only our wedding day, but our entire story. 

He did an engagement shoot with us. But he went above and beyond even that. My mom was in the hospital with stage four cancer a month before my wedding. He came out to do a free session with me and my family in the hospital for Mother’s Day with her. It was such a display of his character and his love for people. Cody is selfless and so giving. He told us he wanted to bless us. She passed a month before the wedding and looking back on those pictures are so precious to me."

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"The day of the wedding, he did an amazing job on site. I loved how he captured the personality of every person when he takes the picture. He would tell us, 'We know it’s kind of funny to kiss and get close to one another in front of people but it’s okay, have a good time, show me the ways you naturally show affection with one another and let’s get shots of you just happy with one another.' He has a good way of displaying personality and joy in the way he will capture exchanged looks or laughter. He is attuned to those perfect moments."

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"My advice to other brides considering Cody is this: talk with him over the phone, hear why he does it, he loves to hear the story, it’s one thing to look at his work, but even having a five-minute conversation you feel like you are best friends. Him and his wife are good people to be around. He won’t push his own opinions of what his photos should look like, but he will stand back and capture what you want. That trust is formed early and that trust is priceless. The cost for our session was worth everything to have that feeling of knowing what we wanted to have captured—he could do. I was able to give him not only my money, but my trust that he could accurately treasure that once in a lifetime day alongside of us. He addresses concerns up front and sticks to that. He doesn’t put on a show. He is himself and it's great in every way. 

You get the real him—and it's genuine."

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Brittany and Colton // Running Springs, California

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Brittany and Colton // Running Springs, California

During our most precious moments, such as our First Look, I truly forgot Cody was there. He didn’t talk unless it was a subtle nudge for a certain look he was seeking to capture...Cody was so careful to make the moment about the two of us that I was blown away. Those are by far my favorite pictures.

"Cody arrived on site the day before my wedding. When he arrived, we were at the venue, setting up. He told us he would be back, but that he wanted to drive around the venue property and scout for locations. He was gone for hours.

He came back from scouting and joined us for the rehearsal dinner. He connected really well with our family and friends from that first moment. It was great because I didn’t feel like I had to make the connections for him, I didn’t have to constantly introduce him to family and friend. By that next morning, it was like he was family. He was there right from the start as we all began to get ready. He took photos I didn’t know he took. But when it came to important shots, he gave me just the right cues—letting me know what I needed to do. 

Halfway through the day, my husband and I did a first look photo. The girl who did my makeup came with me. Cody took my husband to his spot, and then we walked to where I was with the girl who drove me. I got out and the girl got out, but Cody gently asked her to stay in the car. I was so happy he took the initiative for that direction with her, because it kept the moment even more precious and intimate. During his scouting time, Cody had found this perfect spot for first look. When we arrived, it was all set up for us. During that moment, I truly forgot Cody was there. He didn’t talk unless it was a subtle nudge for a certain look he was seeking to capture. That time with me and my husband was such an sweet, precious and intimate moment. Truly priceless. Cody was so careful to make the moment about the two of us that I was blown away. 

From that moment on, Cody captured everything perfectly. I told him, go wherever you need to go, and he did. He was there, present, and he was mingling and hanging out with our friend and family and I loved that. I so appreciated that he was working, but not working. The one thing I was so upset that I didn’t get a photo with him, but everything was perfect.

We were in awe once we saw his work. He went over and above to make it beautiful. He was our biggest blessing the day of the wedding. If he wasn’t there, I truly think I would have been miserable, sinking in the realization that I wasn’t going to have the wedding I had originally planned in my mind. Yet, Cody made it work beyond what I imagined. He knew what I wanted and I didn’t even have to say it. All of my anticipation and expectations were not only met but exceeded." 

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Colton and Brittany // Wedding

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Colton and Brittany // Wedding

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My Time with We Are Leo

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My Time with We Are Leo

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Over the past few years of being in a touring band, I've made some good friends with a few of the other bands. 

Kenosha, WI-based electro-pop band We Are Leo made the cut. 

3 years ago, I was introduced to their catchy beats and autotuned goodness. Instantly it became part of my audio arsenal of choice through the summer. A year later, I got to meet them while at an Acquire The Fire conference in New Orleans, LA.

You could say I "fan girled" a little bit. Or a lot. But frontman David Duffield wasn't awkward about it. He was just chill, talking about how he loves Acquire The Fire and hoped to play more events in the future.

Since then, I've played around 10 events with them, each time seeing their musical chemistry and on-stage personas increase. The kids love their show, littered with dubstep beauty and the occasional huge balloon toss. 

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I had the privledge of having Andrew Alojipan, their bassist (pictured above), stay with my wife and I on Monday night. We got to bro down pretty hard late into the night. 

(For those of you who don't know, Andrew has a side-project called Kept On Hold. Think about every nostalgic punk-acoustic-tear jerking song from your teen years...and you have his music. Check it out. It's so good.)

We got to talking about all sorts of things; myself and marriage, kendamas, music, movies, and pure nonsense.

But what I can gather from this dude is he loves Jesus and he loves people.

Being with We Are Leo for the past 3 years has blessed him so much. He has toured nationally and internationally, meeting countless people along the way and giving them a dose of his infectious love. God has blessed him with this opportunity and he gives all glory where glory is due.

In my short but potent time with him, I walk away feeling filled with joy and hope.

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The same goes with the rest of the band. Last year, I had the privledge of meeting up with them at LifeLight festival in South Dakota. I had an hour long conversation with their guitarist Doug about growing up in divorced families and all that came along with it. We got to share hope and wisdom with each other and it was so good. It made me, a drummer in a worship band that felt as if he didn't belong along names like Newsboys and Building 429, feel so valued and loved.

I've had many talks with their drummer Jonny about marriage. About the highs and lows of marriage and very real wisdom that helped. We also share a passion for media, which is rad. He is also the best looking dad this side of the Mississippi. 

All in all, I just needed an excuse to talk about my friends. I love the guys in We Are Leo and I can't wait for their new album to drop. 

Thats all.  

Carry on, citizens.  

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