To say they met in college would be slightly trite. But they did. Meet in college, that is. There's so many layers to their story and it just proves destiny, fate, and fortune all lead a person to their soul mate. Damaris and Donald first met as seniors in high school as they visited the campus of University of Southern California; he the cute boy wearing the backward baseball cap and she the Untouchable. Donald saw Damaris and was smitten from the start.
In his words: Damaris is the most gorgeous woman I've ever laid eyes on. Seriously. Have you ever seen her smile? Like, really smile? Her cheeks fill, her jaw line lifts. There are two soft dimples that appear just outside the border of her lips and her teeth are brilliant. That's just the start. Where her smile really shows is in her eyes. She has these beautiful, warm brown eyes. If she is really smiling, her eyelids soften somehow, relaxing toward her cheek bones and inviting you to be a part of her world. It almost knocks you over. And I fall for it every time.
They met when they were 18 years old and though many years have past since their USC gradutation, they've become cemented at the hip, knowing they're bond will only get stronger with time. And Damaris knows just how lucky she is to have found her soul mate.
In her words: Donald is the man that will always catch me when I fall (literally, I test him on this all the time – I throw myself towards the ground and he always catches me…he loves this game). He gives me piggy-back rides when my feet hurt from wearing beautiful but painful shoes to make me taller. He makes me laugh and laughs at my antics. He loves me when I'm mad at him. He makes me feel beautiful. He gives me butterflies. He’s the best man I’ve ever met. Trust me – I absolutely do know how lucky I am.
I am beyond thrilled to shoot Damaris and Donald's wedding later this year at Vibiana. They live in New York City and somehow found my blog online…after our initial conversation, Damaris gave me a link to their wedding website and after reading their love story, I was DYING to shoot their wedding! They are two of the most amazing people (ever!), and I'm honored to photograph the day that makes forever, forever.
We started their engagement session in the classroom where Donald realized Damaris was “out of my league”…
Here, Donald is recounting the story when he saw Damaris finish the Spanish placement test AN HOUR before anyone else…talk about intimidation! 😉
Many thanks to Sheree Pouls of Lips and Locks for doing a wonderful job with Damaris' hair and makeup…
I was super excited when Donald took me to unexplored parts of the USC campus…I had so much fun shooting in new areas!
Do your thang, mama, do your thang…
One of my most favorite things about Damaris and Donald is their openly goofy side…here are just a few of D+D's priceless expressions…
To view more photos of their engagement session, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!
