North Meets South | Ryan + Katie | Greenville SC Engagement Photographer
Katie has been an adopted member of our family for nearly 5 years now and we are super excited about her engagement to Ryan!!!! When I asked them what type of engagement session they wanted I received 2 responses:
Ryan: “I like the downtown alley, peeled paint look!”
Katie: “I like fields, a country setting!”
So we combined both ideas into one very FUN session. I asked them to share their story and it has greatly encouraged my husband and I as parents. We are so thankful to witness the way each of their parents purposely and lovingly led in their dating relationship. Very cool to witness indeed. I could not narrow down each of their stories so I decided to post both!!!!
Katie’s Story:
“Ryan moved down here about 4 1/2 years ago. I didn’t really know he existed for the first couple. 
My first memory of him was at a Next conference. I had given my Bible to someone during worship. As the worship leader got ready to read a passage, I noticed someone scoot close. I looked up and it was Ryan. My first though: mmmm…he’s a boy, let’s keep our distance. And then I thought how kind he was to have noticed and want to share his Bible with me. It took a few more years for me to really notice him. We were friends, but that was it.
I first started “wondering” about Ryan because my dad respected him. “If dad thinks he’s a good guy, maybe I should at least think about it.” …and it my wondering turned into liking. I couldn’t stop thinking about this guy, no matter how hard I tried. I tried to, because I didn’t think he would ever be interested in me. However, one warm evening last June, I found out I was wrong. I haven’t stopped smiling since then. A boy liked me! And not just any boy. The boy I highly respected and liked…he actually liked me back. Weirded me out (in a good way) for a while. I still don’t fully understand it.
We dated for several months. I slowly began to realize that my “liking” had turned into “loving”. I wanted to marry this guy. He was/is godly (first thing I noticed about him), a leader, caring, responsible, kind, patient, humble, funny and super duper handsome. I cared for him…and in a way I hadn’t experienced with anyone else. I thought we would probably get married, but, I had to wait and see. Lots of prayers, hoping and patience.
I had prayed that my first love would be my only love. I had always wanted “the first guy” to be THE guy. On December, 28th (my birthday), my wish became a reality. My wonderful boy suprised me and drove all the way down to FL (where my family was vacationing). With the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, my best friend asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. Why I get to be that girl, I still don’t fully understand. But, I am so thankful that our God planned for us to be together. I can’t wait to be Mrs. Ryan Mansueto. Other than salvation and my relationship with the Lord, Ryan has been, and is, the best part of my life. Can’t wait to keep grow together!”
Ryan’s Story:
“Like Katie said, my family moved down here 4 1/2 years ago after God simply called my family to move to Greenville. Over the course of those 4 1/2 years, I’ve been around Katie a good deal, many times serving along side of her, whether in singles-group, serving at church on the sound setup team, being part of the worship band, etc. I would say over those years, that we were friends, but up until about 3 or 4 months before we actually started dating I really hadn’t considered pursuing her. The big thing that changed in me before I started to pursue Katie, was that I started to think about what I would need to be as a husband down the road, instead of only thinking about what I wanted in a girl. This, in addition, helped me to think differently about what I wanted in a girl. About 3 months before I started dating Katie, my dad had given me a few questions to think about (during one of those talks about girls) that I found to be extremely applicable and helpful:
Does she possess the qualities you would look for in a wife?
Could you see her as a nurturing mother of your children?
Do you see her walking in humility, preferring others?
Does she love and respect her parents?
Does she walk in a gospel-informed manner?
At that point, I had been thinking/wondering about Katie, and when I was asked those questions, I found myself immediately answering YES to all of them. Very grateful for my dad, and thankful for his help in guiding my anxious thoughts during that time. He was certainly my greatest asset as I started to pursue a relationship with Katie.
A few short months later I worked up the courage to set up a meeting with Jim. As nervous as I was to meet with Jim, I was 10x more nervous about whether or not Katie would want to start a relationship with me if the idea was presented to her (assuming I had received Jim and Corri’s approval). This being because I very much valued Katie’s friendship and encouragement, and was very scared that I would lose that if she turned me down. Now, when I say very scared, I mean rather that I had a literal panic attack after Jim called to tell me that I had his approval and that he was going to inform Katie of my intentions. God’s sovereignty became amazingly clear to me (kinda like a slap in the face) when I discovered shortly thereafter, that not only did Katie want to pursue a relationship with me, but she had been interested in me even before I started to pursue her!
To make a long story short, 6 months later (after some very well thought out and covert planning with Jim and my family) I came down to Melbourne, FL while the Britt’s were on vacation, to ask my best friend to marry me. She said yes!!! ….and I can’t wait to marry her!! Very thankful to God for bringing Katie into my life, and I am looking forward to growing together with Katie at my side.”
I am so looking forward to shooting their wedding in June!!!! Not much longer!!! =)
* A special thanks to Nikki Roberts for painting the cute signs. =)
Looking Back at 2011 | Greenville SC Photographer
Each year we try to recap the year with a SOME of our favorite pictures. This year we are a tad bit late and cannot believe it is already February! Below are SOME favs from 2011…I mean just a mere fraction of 2011 images! It was so fun to look back at these and I so wanted to post a lot more! We have some extremely wonderful clients! Thanks for an awesome 2011!!! I enjoyed having some time with each of you!!!! We are so very blessed.
If you get a moment please “like” us here on our Naisang Photography Facebook page!
Ignorance is Definitely Not Bliss!
Prior to each session I ask my clients to tell me a bit about themselves. This helps me learn their tastes and preferences and it’s a fun way of getting to know them. Recently as I was reading Leslie’s response to my request, I stood in awe of the Gospel once again! I am so thankful for my Savior’s death on the cross for me. Leslie now works full time at a local church in Clemson SC and just recently got engaged to David. I will be sharing their engagement pictures soon. =) Thanks Leslie for being so real and willing to share this with others.
Ignorance is definitely not bliss!
I had a blessed life. Loving, supportive parents who pushed me, encouraged me, and cherished me.
I couldn’t see.
I was told how lucky I was with athletic talent, , high achievements academically, and a life of privileges.
I couldn’t hear.
I filled my life with empty vessels: drugs, boyfriends, indulgences.
I couldn’t love.
Until God took hold of my heart, gave me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart drenched with His undying love.
I was living a life in the dark. With no direction or purpose I was crying out to any thing that could temporarily stop the hurt inside. I was struggling with an eating disorder, experimenting with drugs, and in ungodly relations. The whole time, I had managed to paint a picture of perfection, an exterior shell of confidence, composure, and happiness. I knew the hurt I was feeling, but others around me had no idea. I didn’t allow anyone to be truly close to me. There was always an impenetrable wall.
I was raised in a Catholic family. We went to church every Sunday; we went to class every Wednesday. Yet, I was never taught that anyone could have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and that God’s ultimate sacrifice, His only Son, was payment in full for my sins. That He would serve as the bridge to God for me. Not because I deserved it, but because He loved me. He knew me; my cold, dark heart and He loved me. But I was lost.
God’s perfect timing placed several pivotal women of strength in my life when my fragile shell was about to shatter. The summer before my junior year of college, I was coaching a volleyball camp through Clemson University. I was assigned a small town team from the Spartanburg area. The coach spent the weekend asking me questions not only about volleyball but me. She was dropping hints about her religious view, and my ultra sensitive ears were intent on ignoring. She gave me her information, and suggested I hang out with her.
My first instinct was no. I couldn’t bear the thought that if I went to church God would see my heart. My warped view thought I could access God in a church. But as Thursday turned to Friday, Friday to Saturday, and Saturday to Sunday, God had stirred some serious curiosity in my heart. I couldn’t tell you what Pastor Ken preached on that Sunday morning, but God grabbed hold of my heart and will never let it go. Through a discipleship relationship, Amy, the coach’s sister (now my sister in Christ and dear friend) led me closer to the Lord.
My life has made a complete transformation. My friends at the time were confused. My parents astonished. My God was celebrating!
I live now to bring glory to the Creator of the Universe, my ultimate joy, my ultimate strength, and my everlasting King.
David + Leslie | Clemson, SC Engagement Photographer
“He is the man I want my sons to be like and my daughters to marry!” ” She is in love with the Lord more than she is in love with me!” This is how Leslie and her fiance David described each other! Pretty neat! It has been so enjoyable getting to know this couple. Their excitement about being engaged is very obvious, but what is even greater is their excitement for the Lord!!! When we met at Starbucks about a month ago we sat for the first 20 minutes just talking about how wonderful our God is and how thankful we are for His son Jesus and the great salvation that we have been given through Him. As we finished up our time together and saying goodbye I realized we had not even signed the contract. =) I knew right away we had a neat bond and that this would be a sweet time.
As David and Leslie described the location they wanted to have their engagement pictures taken I got pretty excited! It sounded just like something I would LOVE to do! And YES, I L.O.V.E. this location. I felt like we had stepped back into time! We explored the General Store, Old School House, old barns, mills and cars! The stores were set up just like they used to be with all the items of that day! How cool is that?!! We ended our session around sunset on a quilt under a nearby big tree! We are looking forward to their wedding in May!!! =)
*Palmetto Pout Makeup Artistry did Leslie’s hair and make-up! They did a great job! Brides need to check them out! =)
*Monkey Deez made the custom signs for this photo session! If you have an idea we can custom make just about anything! Gallery wraps, photography props, wedding party tees, etc.
…David X Leslie!!!
LOVE | George & Danielle | Engagement Photographer Greer S.C.
As you can see in the pictures below this couple is quite smitten with one another ! I have known Danielle for nearly 4 years now and I am getting to know her wonderful fiance George! When I heard he had proposed and she said YES….I was so hoping I could do their wedding! Why? Well I have had so much fun watching their friendship turn into a courtship, and their courtship into an engagement. I so remember taking Danielle’s senior portraits almost a year ago in a downtown area where George actually works. We were cruising down Main Street and Danielle says, “Hey, there’s George.” And it was not just any, “Hey, there’s George”…it was one of those giddy….”Hey there’s George”….followed by a sparkle in her eyes. I kinda knew then something was going on. And going on it was. They will be getting hitched in April. Amazing!
As we prepared for their engagement pictures George and Danielle knew exactly where they wanted to have them taken…in a special park in a downtown area in the cute town of Greer! I so wanted this session to say…George and Danielle. They love the vintage 60′s! In talking with them I found out how they are alike and how they are different. They both love the Gospel and Gospel-centered books, skittles(especially the grape ones=), Izze drinks, and Beatles style music. And according to George, here is how they differ…”I like sports, Danielle likes photography. I like driving, she likes being a passenger. I like sushi, she likes sour cream. I like playing the guitar, she likes listening to me playing the guitar. I like Paul McCartney, she likes Frank Sinatra. I like dinner parties, she likes dinner dates. I like mp3s, she likes vinyls.”
For their photo sessions they bought several great reads! Some of these books they read while dating. George said he read one with Danielle’s dad, and the others they are reading with one of our pastor and his wife. How neat is that?! They also brought paper hearts I had given them and on these hearts they had written things they love about each other. It was a cold overcast day, but it made for a beautiful session.
I am super excited about their fun wedding coming up in April! Congratulations George and Danielle! Enjoy the pictures! =) Oh, by the way Abbi(my daughter) is still taking sewing lessons from Nikki and she made those cute pillows for them below AND Nikki did the beautiful writing on the “Will You Marry Me” sign.
Adam + Jill | Engagement Greenville SC Photographer
The above picture is a special spot for Adam and Jill. Adam proposed to Jill on this bridge and here is Jill’s version of that special night.
“As Adam and I often do, we were chatting on gmail trying to decide how to spend our Friday night. Adam suggested going to dinner with another couple, hanging out at the house, or a date night–trying to make it seem as if he didn’t have plans. I was fine with any of the choices, so Adam said we should do a date night. We decided to go to High Cotton, a restaurant in downtown Greenville that we had been wanting to try. Rather than driving down Main Street, Adam took a more circuitous route and parked further away from the restaurant so that we would have a more scenic walk through Falls Park. We enjoyed a nice dinner and began the walk back to our car through the park. Adam stopped us on the bridge to enjoy the view. He turned to me and said, “Can I ask you a question?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a mint tin and asked me if I wanted a mint. At that point I didn’t know what to think. And as he was getting down on one knee I exclaimed, “Are you seriously doing this right now?!” He was! He then asked me to marry him. I said, “YES! Of course!” Everyone around us seemed to disappear and we spent the next minutes enjoying the moment. We then drove to both of our parents’ houses and shared the good news!”
**** Warning: Lots of Pictures****
Adam and Jill were so much fun to photograph. I told them I would definitely use these picture of them to help others relax at their photo shoots.
They actually crossed these tracks to go to the restaurant that night.
Love this!
