Jacob & Caitlin // Savannah, Georgia

I absolutely must start this post with a quote from Flannery O'Connor, a Southern writer who lived in Savannah, and whose house we had the immense pleasure of seeing & photographing. Jacob, who is studying for his masters in literature had some of her works in his car: how cool, right?“A story is a way to say something that can’t be said any other way, and it takes every word in the story to say what the meaning is.” Flannery O'ConnorIf you get a chance, you should really read some of her short stories. Most of them are rough and raw and grotesque (sometimes darkly funny)  but always very poignant. I believe photographers, like writers, are storytellers. After spending the day with Jacob & Caitlin, I feel lucky enough to know a chapter of their story. I loved hearing about their first date.  Jacob admitted he went on a bit of a verbal rampage, pouring out his love for philosophy, theology and literature. I'm so glad Caitlin loves that about him because watching Jacob read to her on their engagement session was one of the sweetest things I've ever seen. They read books together, people. Hello! Awesome!I also love the story of their engagement. Jacob proposed to Caitlin on New Year's Eve on a frozen and cold Grand Lake. And get this... after he asked her, there were fireworks. NO WAY! Yes way. There are so many things I adore about this couple. I love that Caitlin is a chocolate ice cream kind of gal while Jacob chooses pistachio (same as my husband and me, but switched!). I love that they drove to Savannah listening to a book on tape.  And that they wanted to take a photo inside the beautiful Catholic cathedral because they love their faith (shout out to the new Pope!). They were totally game for stepping over yellow tape into a creepy dungeon-like cave (?) which might have been a parking space (?) to take some photos. They practically sprinted into the candy shop on River Street for the samples of pralines and hand spun taffy (or maybe that was me?). They love puns. And they knew that the Spanish moss you'll see hanging from all the trees is actually a parasitic plant... what could be a better metaphor for love? Right? Ehhh maybe not?In all seriousness, I have no doubt that the Lord brought us together for a reason, and I've already had the best time getting to know this outrageously intelligent and funny couple."A story is a way to say something that can’t be said any other way, and it takes every photo in the story to say what the meaning is."I would never try to compare my work with the brilliance of Flannery O'Connor, but I'm excited at this attempt. At this attempt to write a story with photos and to express a deeper meaning through them.