Rachael and Rob could have arrived in clown costumes for their engagement session and I still would have been the happiest photographer in the world. This was the first beautiful and warm day of the new year. I felt like I was coming out of hibernation and nothing was going to stop me from enjoying that day! Not only this, but Rachael and Rob were so easy to work with. Its the best kind of chemistry you could ask for as a photographer. They were goofy, giddy, and just had fun with each other. Not to mention their outfits (not clown costumes) were on point! I am always impressed with couples that seem to get their color combinations perfect, and these two did just that. I mean, Robs bow tie was just the icing on the cake...

Speaking of chemistry, Rob and Rachael actually met at Salisbury University in the chemistry study lounge. While Rachael studies in Pharmacy school, Rob works in a research lab and is close to finishing his PhD in Toxicology. So to say these too are super smart would be an understatement! One of my favorite parts of this shoot was when they popped open a bottle of wine and shared a romantic moment while I took some photos... well that was cut short when the photographer in me decided we needed to head out to the field before the golden light disappeared and I made them pack up their picnic. Well instead of closing up the bottle these two made sure they finished that bottle of wine before we got to our next location and this pregnant lady was pretty jealous that I couldn't help them that!

I had so much fun with these two and cannot wait to document their big day this upcoming fall. It is going to be such an amazing day and I know they will be just as lovely and fun for their wedding. Rachael and Rob thank you so much for spending such a beautiful evening with me and hopefully that wine held you over until dinner : ) and I cant wait to see photos of your sweet golden doodle pup soon!!!

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I have been working on this blog forever! Technically you could say its been 3 years in the making since thats when our trip was.. I can't believe its already been that long ago! Even going through these photos now makes me realize how much I have grown as a photographer over the past few years.

If I were to try and recap three months of this adventure, that would take another two years... so instead I will let the photos do the talking. Just a little bit of info... The first leg of our trip was in New Zealand where we spent 6 weeks traveling the entire country. We only had the backpacks on our back and tented the majority of the trip. On the occasional night where it would down pour and we didnt want to wake up surrounded by a pool of water (happened more than a few times) we stayed in hostels. The second week in NZ we WWOOFed.. (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) and stayed with a lovely family on a farm that looked out over the ocean. We met wonderful WWOOFers who farmed and bunked with us for the week. After that, we were on our own for the remainder of the month. We went bungee jumping, drank lots of flat whites, got stuck in a life threatening storm at the top of a volcano (no biggie..), discovered inumerable waterfalls, caves, glaciers, and magical moss covered forests, went avocado picking, made friends with sheep, deer, cows, seals, dolphins, and mating walruses, and saw so many amazing landscapes that just constantly took my breathe away and reminded me how amazing Gods creation is.

We then spent a week in Sydney Australia and the remaining 5 weeks in Bali with my brother Tim. Now I must say, after the first leg of this trip, which was definitely the most physically and mentally challenging, I took a break from taking so many photos. I just decided when we got to Bali that I was going to put the camera down and just "be". and I am so glad I did. My parents also joined us in Bali for the last 2 weeks and it was great time. Staying at my brothers beautiful home, drinking margaritas, soaking in the sun, hanging with family and new friends, and even getting to be a part of my brothers wedding was the perfect way to wrap up this trip. We had an incredible journey and these moments will forever be a part of my soul. I can definitely say that I came home enlightened and ready to take on whatever was next for me. (Sarah Murray Photography!)

Traveling has always been a huge part of my life and a part of who I am. I am leaving out so much detail but I just can't imagine trying to fit it all in... so I hope you enjoy these photos I took along the way. Its all in chronological order, starting with NZ and ending with Bali!

oh yea, and thanks to my incredible husband and best travel companion anyone could ask for! I can't wait for our next big adventure.