Brae Loch Wedding Venue | Dakota and Katie's Engagement Session | Dallas Wedding Photographer | Ellen Ashton Photogaphy

It has been a hot minute since I last blogged, so tonight I'm going  to share a little something with all you lovelies. 

I met Dakota and Katie at a Bible study earlier this summer and I am so glad I did! I had the honor of photographing these two when Dakota proposed to Katie this past July. (Click HERE to see photos).  Katie had the surprise of her life that day and it's still one of my favorite sessions to date. 

Last week Katie, Dakota and I loaded up into a car and drove to a dreamy destination to take their engagement photos. I loved chatting in the car with them as we went adventuring together. I learned so many things about them that made me love them even more than I already do. 

As we were chatting, Katie was telling me that her dad had past away a few years ago, and in honor of his memory Dakota was wearing one of his shirts in their engagement photos. Honestly I cried a little when Katie told me this (not so uncommon if you know me.. Compassion and empathy are my middle name!). 

Hearing how these two met and started dating was truly so fun to listen to! Katie couldn't stop smiling, and honestly, that's one of my favorite things about her- she always has a smile on her beautiful face. Both Katie and Dakota are so full of life and joy. The love they share, the pure excitement and happiness they have about getting married really shines through each photograph. Let me just tell you, all the happy smilies were infectious and I LOVED EVERY SECOND IT. 

I hope you enjoy this precious session as much as I enjoyed photographing and getting to know the people in them. 

Much love and happy belated thanksgiving, 

-E

If you loved the first half of Dakota and Katie's engagement session, then you are going to DIE when we see the second portion. Y'all, they are slaying it. On our way up the mountain we found some awesome foliage that we added to Katie's wild flower bouquet. Honestly, I could go on and on about how amazing these guys are but I'll just shut up now and let the images do the talking. ** insert emoji heart eyes**

Rocky Mountain Wedding | Carbondale Wedding | Patrick and Erin's Wedding | Ellen Ashton Photography

       " I love you to the mountains and back."

Patrick & Erin's Wedding Day

08.27.16

Last October 

I was about to board a plane from Minneapolis headed to Dallas. It was a full flight and as usual, I was looking for kind eyed people to sit next to, because lets face it.. Stranger danger is real and I didn't feel like throat chopping anyone that day. As I was scanning the ocean of people I saw a middle seat open and in the two other seats sat two kind looking women. So, I quickly took the seat. Of course, my massive camera bag did not fit in the cabin above us so the stuartist took my bag to the back. She was extremely rude about a lot of things which in turn got the conversation moving as soon as she walked away. 

Sitting to my right was the ever so sweet Erin. She and I chit chatted over the duration of the flight. In the first ten minutes of sitting next to each other I learned that Erin was newly engaged and was going to be getting married in her home state of Colorado. I inwardly (and probably outwardly) smiled and said "how funny, I am a wedding photographer!" Throughout the rest of the flight was talked wedding day details and Erin told me all about her plans to marry her fiancé Patrick up in the rocky mountains. 

You know when something just feels right? That's how I felt when I met Erin. She truly is one of the sweetest and most genuine people I have ever met. Long story short, I skyped with Erin and Patrick over Christmas of 2015 and they booked me to be there wedding photographer. 

Words cannot express how thankful I am for Erin and Patrick (all my couples really) for letting me be apart of and witness the joining of their covenant in marriage. I can't tell you how many times I teared up during their wedding day. Erin was so smiley and giddy, and Patrick was so filled with emotion every time he looked at her. As a photographer these are things I live for. They literally made my job SO EASY. They lived in each moment as the day passed by, which is clear to see from the photographs. They were relaxed, easy going and just excited to spend forever with one another. Their joy and excitement was contagious in every since of the word.

Erin and Patrick, thank you for allowing me the honor and privilege of being your wedding photographer. Sitting next to Erin on that airplane one year ago was meant to be. I truly believe with all my heart that God doesn't make mistakes, and our divine appointment was no different. 

I am so excited to share these beautiful wedding day with you! 

Some of my favorite memories to capture are the ones immediately after the ceremony. It is not uncommon for me to walk out behind the bride and groom so that I can photograph their sweet reactions of being husband and wife. There is so much joy and emotion in these faces. It's hard not to love everything about love. 

Much love, 

-E 

A HUGE Thank you to Kaylan Robinson for being such an amazing second shooter. You rock, girl! 

Lost Gulch Lookout Engagement Inspiration Photos | Jana and James Session | Ellen Ashton Photography

I have been DYING to share these photos from Jana and James's gorgeous Rocky Mountain session. 

There is something so majestic about the Rocky Mountains. The colors of the trees, the cool breeze and the scenic view all create the perfect setting for a couples session! 

I met Jana this past February at Sarah & Brendan's  Colorado wedding, and I knew when I met her that she was a sweet and genuine person. I so enjoyed getting to hang out, photograph and to get to know her better as well as her light hearted boyfriend, James.

Jana and James were total rock stars at this session! Believe it or not, the weather was not "all that and a bag of chips"... It was actually quite cold and it had been raining moments before we started the session, not to mention we were basically standing on a cliff!! BUT those things didn't stop us! These two were amazing sports and I could not be more pleased with how awesome the pictures turned out. 

I hope you all enjoy these pictures as much as we enjoyed capturing them! 

Much love, 

-E