Kelley and Matt | Engagement | Van Buren State Park | South Haven, MI |

Step by step, we approached the top of what seemed like an unending climb. The sand underneath our feet gave way with each step, making the journey up the massive dune slow and tiring. But we knew it would be worth it. Up ahead of us, Kelley and Matt, our hiking masters for the evening, had already reached the top and were already commenting "it's always so beautiful up here!" This simple statement let us know it was all going to be worth it; and once we reached the top, it only took us a few seconds to turn around and realize that the climb was, in fact, completely worth it!

Kelley and Matt have their friends and coworkers to thank for them coming together, since apparently almost everyone was in on the scheme to get them to sit next to each other the first time that they met! We laughed as they shared their story about how after they were sitting down, they felt the entire table looking down the line at them, just to make sure they were having a good time! Well, after we got to hang out with Kelley and Matt on their engagement shoot, we can easily agree that these two absolutely have a good time when they are together!

As we got to know Kelley and Matt, one of things that stood out the most to us is how encouraging they were to each other. They were always telling us things that each other was good at and encouraging each other throughout the engagement shoot to have fun with the poses and not worry about "looking perfect" or "having a weird smile." This attitude completely MADE the evening for us, especially when both people are so encouraging and uplifting, you find yourself getting pulled along into the encouragement. Engagement Shoot Life Hack: Don't sweat the small stuff. Encourage each other, and you will 100% have an awesome time with your photographers!

Kelley and Matt, even though we've only gotten to hang out with you one time, we already feel like we have known you for years! We can't wait to see your story unfold as you get married next year and begin a new life together! We absolutely love how you both bring out the very best in each other and how you two have found things that you both enjoy that you can do together! (Like try to kill your photographers by showing them up on a hike up a sand dune! ;) All the best for us to you!

J + A

All photos are property of Josh and Andrea Photography LLC.