David and I have been so blessed to work with THE BEST couples and we are excited to be working with Austin and Danielle! They are so much fun. We had a great time taking their Fort Worth engagement photos a couple weeks ago… We started in Sundance Square, downtown Fort Worth and finished up the session at one of my favorite locations outside of Benbrook. I LOVE how their pics turned out!!! Check out Danielle’s sweet account of their engagement story:

“If someone were to have told me I would be in a long distance relationship prior to dating Austin, I would have probably avoided the whole thing. I don’t think anyone really “chooses” distance. When Austin and I first started dating, baseball wasn’t even a future thought or plan for him. 4 months into our relationship he entered into the draft as a 5th year senior and was signed to a minor league contract with the Rays. He was told he would be leaving a few weeks later. Saying goodbye at the airport one of the last things Austin said to me was- “I never want you to put your life on hold to be with me, keep pursuing your dreams and ambitions and I promise I will always support that.” Watching him walk away and replaying what he had just said was the moment I knew he was the one. I couldn’t help but feel so incredibly lucky to have someone, who in the midst of his dreams coming true, reminded me of how important it was to him for me to pursue my own. In that moment, every doubt I ever had about the new path we were about to go on was washed away.

Anyone that knows Austin knows how laid back, patient and easy going he is. And that’s just how the proposal was….simply perfect! Austin’s best friend invited us to his families’ lake house on Houston County Lake, something we try and fit in at least twice while he is home during the offseason. It was the morning of October 15th. I remember waking up to multiple alarms going off at 7am and thinking “Who sets their alarm on the weekend!?” I was mad to say the least. We all got up and started making breakfast and coffee. Austin suggested we all enjoy the morning by the water, which nobody was opposed to. He headed out with the dogs as I went to freshen up. After I was done his friend told me to take the coffee and plates out and they would bring the food. As I walked toward the deck I remember looking down with a smile at the calm beauty of the water as the sun beamed down on it. I set the table and had a seat by Austin. We talked for a short moment before he started explaining to me how much he loved me and our relationship….at that moment I knew what was about to happen. I blanked and before I knew it he was down on a knee. Without hesitation I said YES! Next thing I know I hear a champagne bottle pop and a loud “congratulations!” My best friend came walking towards us. Austin had coordinated for her to drive down for the occasion (which I later found out that that was why alarms were set.) We enjoyed the rest of the weekend relaxing amongst our closest friends and most importantly, each other. It couldn’t have been a more perfect weekend!” -Danielle

Kim of Kim Hayes Photography is a Fort Worth wedding photographer located in the DFW area. Kim is a wedding, engagement, senior and family photographer serving Fort Worth, Dallas and the surrounding communities.