Gimme Some Oven

Us.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Our engagement pics are in!

And they’re making me all –> ? ? ? ? ?.

Truly, Barclay and I love them so much. And, I’ve gotta admit that I especially love them because — as opposed to 95% of our photos up until this point — they’re not selfies! ?

Seriously, it was so nice to have someone else behind the camera for a change. And not just anyone else, at that — Barclay and I were thrilled that our dear friend, Becca, agreed to briefly come out of wedding-photography-retirement to shoot our wedding and engagement pics. I have been a total fangirl of her photography for years, so it was a treat on many levels to get to spend this time together, hanging out and seeing her in action doing what she does best. And — while I had initially been on the fence about whether or not to even do engagement pics — I was so thankful that Becca wisely suggested we take that time together as a “practice sesh” before the wedding, so that Barclay and I could get used to being followed around on camera. I naively figured that would be NBD for my and Barclay’s photographer selves. But as it turned out, I got super nervous and awkward the second the camera was turned around on me! Ha, thankfully, Becca’s warm and encouraging energy put me more at ease as the afternoon went on. And of course, Barclay was cool as a cucumber (as always), and kept a constant stream of snuggles and inside jokes going the whole time that kept both of us smiling. He’s the best. ?

We were also really thankful that Becca was on board to come down to my neighborhood and craft a shoot that felt so like “us”. Both Barclay and I have been fairly turned off by the generic “look” and pressures of the wedding industry these past few months, and have tried to be intentional about making decisions throughout the whole planning process that feel personal and fun and genuinely true to us. So — nothing against random alleys and open fields and sunsets — we were excited about the idea of a (literal) snapshot of our current everyday life that we love.

So on a sunny Wednesday afternoon, Becca came down to the River Market in Kansas City and spent time with us doing what we actually do IRL — we cozied up with a cup of coffee at our favorite spot, took a sunny walk through the neighborhood, went to pick up some groceries at the market, and then came home to my place to cook dinner for a date night “in”. Oh, and it just happened to be National Margarita Day. So of course, we had to pick up some limes and make those happen too. ?

All in all, it ended up being a totally fun afternoon, and I’m thrilled and thankful with the images that we ended up with. So excited to actually print and hang them on our walls when we move in together in two months. And more, have them to look back on fifty years later when we’re old and gray and have hopefully lived a wild and wonderful life together, remembering this early season together for the sweet gift that it was.

So anyway, for anyone interested, here are some of my faves!

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)
Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)
Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography) Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Barclay and Ali Martin Engagement Pictures in Kansas City (by Becca Spears Photography)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

70 comments on “Us.”

  1. Good to see this. Do yourself a favor, find a way to preserve copies of ALL your pictures/
    My wife and I lost all of our pictures, including wedding and time together before marriage, and she didn’t want to have her picture taken later in life.
    I lost her 3 years ago, after over 40 years of marriage, and have very few pics to preserve memories.

  2. I have never been a big fan of engagement photos, but I LOVE how you guys incorporated your everyday life into these, so cute :) and congratulations!

  3. THESE PHOTOS!!! I am over the moon happy for both of you. This is truly a magical love story and I can’t think of a more deserving person!! So happy for you Ali! PS: That lime photo with the glasses – I can’t handle the perfection!

  4. Everything, photography, subjects, everything beautiful and magical! Thanks for sharing your happiness.

  5. Beautiful! You look so happy! Best wishes!

  6. OMG, I am in love with these. They are stunning! I can’t wait for wedding pictures. SO happy for you, Ali!

  7. Beautiful eyes and smiles on the both of you.
    Wishing you much joy and happiness!

  8. Wonderful pictures! Congratulations to you both! Sincerely, Leslie Gardiner

  9. I look forward to your posts every week! You two are just adorable together. A perfect couple if I’ve ever see one!!!
    Yesterday was our 42 year anniversary and couldn’t be more in love, it just seems to grow and grow with each year that passes. I wish for you two the same love and happiness that we’ve had but for many, many more years!!
    Bless you both!!

  10. beautiful pictures. love them!!

  11. Beautiful !!!

  12. Soooooo happy for you two!!! Please share more wedding details when you can. I can’t wait to see what you two are planning! 

  13. You two are so perfect for each other.   I love your pictures.  They make me smile??

  14. I love how you did these in your neighborhood! Soooooo cute! 

  15. I love these! I love how much laughter you guys are sharing in these! Wishing you much happiness!

  16. I recently found your site through a pinterest recipe and I’ve been hooked since. I routinely check in to see the latest with you and Barclay, your travels, your new recipes, your latest travel ventures. These photos are absolutely amazing. Not only is your friend a wonderful photographer, pulling real life into each photo, but also she has truly captured the way every woman should be gazed upon by the man who loves her. You can tell by these photos the immense amount of love that you and Barclay share. Congratulations on finding THE ONE.

  17. These are so cute! I love how happy you both look. 

    Can I ask where you bought your dress, by the way?

  18. You two are adorable!! Great pictures and I love that you incorporated “life” into them.  They will always hold special memories when you look back on them. Great idea!

  19. Ali! I’m not much of a follower, definitely not one to leave comments but I got hooked on your site after coming across the roasted portobella mushroom tacos-which by the way are FANTASTIC! I started poking around on your blog and got excited about food again! Then I found it, yep, your love story and it reminded me of me and my hubby. Oh the tears are coming as I type this. First of all, Friday weddings are the best and no kids-excellent! We now have two little ones and wow our life is crazy! I find myself drowning in your blog when I need a little break from my mom life. You two are having so much fun together! Enjoy every minute of your special day. Go with the flow and don’t let anything get in the way of what the day is all about. I’m looking forward to your post wedding entries!

  20. Like Awww throughout! :) Kept smiling. These photos look so real and warm and full of love! Stay blessed you guys! :)