We spent the afternoon with Jessica and Derek in Venus, Florida for their engagement session. They welcomed us to Derek’s family ranch, which is a very special place for the future Hendries. Jessica shared their motivation for the location behind their portraits saying, “We decided to do them on Derek’s ranch because that is where we have spent a lot of time together and where we will also raise our future children. It’s a family heirloom, pretty much!” Jessica and Derek’s love story began at the oldest operating restaurant in Lake Placid, Florida called Jaxsons. Their proposal took place while they were on vacation. “Derek set up a vacation at Cabbage Key in Florida (my fav place) where we fished, spent time at the beach, ate GREAT food and went to a private beach where he wrote “will you marry me?” In the sand with a stick at sunset and proposed!”
Their session took place under a beautiful Florida sunset. Jessica reflected on the evening and shared, “My favorite part of the session was when the music started playing, Derek and I lost track of what we were doing and just started staring at each other laughing as if John wasn’t even there. It was so pure and genuine happiness.” Jessica wore two looks, a top and pants combo and a beautiful pink maxi dress from a Lake Placid boutique called Perry and Co. After a fun filled evening in Florida, we said goodbye to Jessica and Derek. Looking forward to their wedding day, Jessica is most excited for the ceremony. “Marrying Derek will be the best thing that’s happened to me. He’s so kind, accepting, encouraging.”