Tammy + Aidan | Disneyland Engagement - Christina Barnum Photography

I really don’t even know where to begin, since I am pretty much still in awe that this even happened.. so I guess I’ll start with how this AMAZING journey started!

Tammy was referred by a friend (thank you, sweet Lacey) and she found me on the web and inquired about my services for their summer wedding in San Francisco last year. When I got that email my jaw dropped! I literally had JUST put it out into this beautiful universe that I wanted t shoot a CA wedding by 2017! Part of me thought someone was playing a cruel joke, the other part of me wanted to break out in the cha-cha…

The funny part is, Tammy (and Lacey) thought I lived in California! When she discovered I was all the way in Virginia it could have very quickly ended… but it did just the opposite… we both took off running with it… together!

I can generally tell from the initial form of communication if a potential client and I are the right fit, and from the VERY beginning I knew Tammy was my kind of gal. She wanted an “adventure” and I was ready to go on one… so off we went into our long distance relationship 😉 We decided we were all in and started to make things official, but we both quickly discovered something was missing: An engagement session!

I LOVE engagement sessions. I truly think they benefit both me and my couples — it’s a great time for me to see how they interact and for them to see who I am and how I work. I think it breaks the ice and provides an amazing opportunity for us all to get to know each other. So, when I realized Tammy & Aidan wouldn’t get one because, well… they’re across the country, I threw out the idea of adding one on! And what do ya know, SHE WAS JUST ABOUT TO EMAIL ME ABOUT THE SAME THING… SHE WAS READY FOR ANOTHER ADVENTURE!

When she mentioned Disneyland I definitely screamed… maybe peed a little… cried… danced. IS THIS REAL LIFE? I could hardly believe this was happening. An amazing couple, in California… for a Disneyland engagement? PINCH ME!

After a couple of Skype dates and numerous emails, I got on a plane and went to Orange County, CA!

When I got to my room there was a surprise for me on the bed… I cried again. How thoughtful of them to think of me?They were at Disney for the night, so my tired arse went to sleep 😉 When I woke up the next morning I was SO anxious to meet this amazing couple for the first time… I was also excited to meet Mel, Tammy’s twin sister (YES, she’s a twin.. made me love her even more. I love twins. Twin power. lol).

After I meeting them, I was SO overwhelmed… I was happy just to BE THERE, to be in another state… To be wanted by a couple all the way in California… But when I was able to be face to face with them I was even MORE grateful. THIS couple wants me to be their photographer. These AMAZING human beings want little old me… Tears. Seriously. I cry a lot. ha!

It was SO perfect, but we definitely had bumps in the road! Tammy’s engagement ring was stolen (SO AWFUL! Her preciiiiousss 🙁 ), Snow, Rain, Castle being refurbished, Crowds, Rain, Left mickey ears, Rain, Couldn’t get into Disney with my camera bag (it’s on wheels, not allowed!)… Did I mention Rain?

BUT WE MADE IT HAPPEN for this Disney loving couple.

And it was Magical.

It was SO much fun walking around with Tammy, Aidan and Melissa… We rode rides, they taught me all about Disney bounding (please look it up, so cool)… and over the course of two days they became life long friends… And that is SO SPECIAL.