Every so often, there are people who flit into your life that make you wonder how you got by in the industry without knowing them before. Lukas & Suzy are like that. I met the Van Dykes last year at UNITED 2013, specifically while goofing around on the beach shooting with friends. And then there they were again at the styled shoot I attended a few days later, and I got to experience the full volume of their photogenic perfection. Later that evening I got to spend even more time with Lukas & Suzy and learn a bit more about them as friends, and I knew I was going to love them. Suzy has this bright, bubbly, deeply genuine personality- she can put anyone in the room at ease, and has this sweet smile that makes you feel welcome. Lukas is a bit more reserved when you first meet him, but in this cool, collected, SoCal sort of way. And the way he adores Suzy is inspiring. I just needed to photograph them again.

There wasn’t time during UNITED this year, so we planned to rendezvous at WPPI the following week. We took off after the trade show closed last Tuesday and headed out to Red Rock Canyon, a place that took my breath away. I love Virginia’s open fields, soft Blue Ridge mountains, and vineyards, but there’s something to be said for shooting in a desert. Warm, barren beauty as far as the eye can see, and I haven’t had my fill of it yet.

Lukas & Suzy, thank you from the bottom of my heart for our adventure last week. I’m so grateful that we were able to make this happen, and even more so that I can count you all as friends of mine. You both are the BEST, and I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll see you again in August!