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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