There is nothing more fun to photograph than a couple completely comfortable with each other. Ilya and Natalie exude that comfort and ease, which gave a quiet joy to our time together. Their love for each other glows - not in a flashy, attention-seeking way - but in a gentle care for each other.

Not only that, but they have so much fun together! They could hardly stop laughing while we walked around downtown Tacoma and spent some time swing dancing to a distant violin serenading us in the city.

Can you believe that they thought they were awkward in front of the camera?! If this is the definition of awkward, they put the rest of us to shame! I can't wait to capture more of their joy and love on their wedding day in September!