A BEAUTIFUL FALL SESSION IN THE WEST BOTTOMS

the story of

jillian + chris

and engagement photography in Kansas City

~*~

They didn’t realize when they finished high school exactly what they were starting.

Although they went to separate Wichita schools, he attended her commencement ceremony to see friends graduate. And at a gathering afterward, they had the introduction to each other that sparked a friendship they continued through college — again at separate schools.

But finally, after another set of graduations, their relationship took a new step on New Year’s Day in 2016, with them officially becoming a couple. And the years that followed were full of other big changes, with them moving together to England in 2019. (A fun fact from this session: We just happened to come upon a map in a West Bottoms window that showed the area where they lived while abroad!)

His grand plan to propose during a trip to Italy unfortunately was foiled by pandemic-related travel restrictions. And with them moving back to the United States in 2021, a European proposal became a bit more of an endeavor. That vision finally did come to fruition this past April, though, with him popping the question in a vineyard near Tuscany. And now, they’re planning to make their next significant move with wedding vows in the spring.

Jillian and Chris: You’ve clearly had a lot of excitement together already, but I bet the best is yet to come. I’m so glad to have gotten to document you in this chapter and can’t wait to capture you again on your big day in May!