Love at last | Rend Lake and Downtown Sesser, Illinois
John and Lauren are an amazing couple. They were friends forever but their lives took different directions for several years, and after searching and heartbreak, God brought them back together and their love is so evident. I know Lauren through church and her desire to support small businesses that are newer rather than long established ones, was the magnet that brought her to me. So we set up the engagement session and planned it for a cold winter day in December, 2020.
We first went to the Rend Lake Spillway near Benton, Illinois where I swooned over their obvious photogenic connection. They were wonderful and we had a shivering blast! Then we drove off to downtown Sesser, Illinois to capture some fun shots in-front of the Opera House, and then ended the shoot outside a quaint coffee shop. Their wedding is set for May, and I can't wait!
![Engaged couple sits wrapped in blanket at Rend Lake Spillway, Capture Me Kristy Benton Illinois Photographer,](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/848850331/2022-01-25_0019-4ddfa3ae.jpg)
![Engaged Couple at Rend Lake Spillway, Capture Me Kristy, Southern Illinois Photographer](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/262950331/2022-01-25_0006-423b7e48.jpg)
![Engaged Couple at Rend Lake Spillway, Capture Me Kristy, Southern Illinois Photographer](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/962950331/2022-01-25_0004-9f33500e.jpg)
![Engaged Couple at Rend Lake Spillway, Capture Me Kristy, Southern Illinois Photographer](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/672950331/2022-01-25_0005-15f62741.jpg)
![Engaged Couple kisses by Rend Lake Spillway, Capture Me Kristy, Southern Illinois Photographer](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/382950331/2022-01-25_0007-d54f37bb.jpg)
![Engaged Couple at Rend Lake Spillway, Capture Me Kristy, Southern Illinois Photographer](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/877950331/2022-01-25_0001-db1ca1d3.jpg)
![Engaged Couple at Rend Lake Spillway, Capture Me Kristy, Southern Illinois Photographer](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/587950331/2022-01-25_0002-0dc84d0d.jpg)
![man picks up woman as she kicks her legs out while they stand infront of an old opera house](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/616248281/2022-01-25_0011-0b713548.jpg)
![Man dips girl and kisses her while they stand in front of an old opera house.](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/326248281/2022-01-25_0013-c184e86d.jpg)
![Man gently holds woman's chin as he leans in for a kiss](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/907248281/2022-01-25_0014-7579ac9a.jpg)
![man kisses woman while gently holding the side of her head](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/617248281/2022-01-25_0026-4f89cd6a.jpg)
![Woman leans and holds arm of fiancé as he looks off camera](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/043348281/2022-01-25_0016-5a71d06a.jpg)
![Woman leans on chest of man while he cups her cheek in his hand](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/743348281/2022-01-25_0015-9f2a4ef6.jpg)
![couple gazes into each other's eyes while man holds the side of head](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/453348281/2022-01-25_0025-6c988449.jpg)
![Couple holds up 2 candycanes to form the shape of a heart](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/714348281/2022-01-25_0017-a400d94e.jpg)
![Couple holds up 2 candycanes to form the shape of a heart](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/424348281/2022-01-25_0018-1f9910ed.jpg)