Lili and Archer - Meadowlark Botanical Garden

For years, I worked as a photo assistant to Kip Meyer, a photographer whose technical precision and mastery of craft left a lasting impression on me. Under his guidance, I learned not just the fundamentals of lighting, composition, and exposure, but also the discipline required to execute flawless work under pressure. When his daughter, Lili, asked me to photograph her wedding this summer, it felt like both an honor and a test—a chance to apply everything I had learned from him in service of his own family’s most important moments.

But before the wedding, we decided on an engagement session to get warmed up to the camera a little.  The setting for the session added its layer of responsibility. Meadowlark’s gardens are breathtaking, but their natural beauty demands a photographer’s full technical attention—beautiful color, intricate backdrops, and the challenge of balancing spontaneity with precision. I approached the day with the same rigor Kip had instilled in me: meticulous preparation, an eye for detail, and an understanding that great photography is as much about anticipation as it is about reaction. It was a privilege to document Lili and Archer’s engagement session, not just as a photographer, but as someone who had witnessed the family’s story long before this chapter began.

In the end, the experience was a reminder of how much craft and mentorship matter. Kip’s lessons were present in every shot—not as pressure, but as foundation. The portrait session turned out beautifully, the images were true to the day, and, most importantly, the trust placed in me felt like the quiet completion of a circle. It was a full-circle moment not just in my career, but in the way knowledge and artistry are passed down—one frame at a time.  I look forward to being apart of Lili and Archers wedding day :)