Zach grew up in Barboursville, West Virginia. Kaleigh grew up in Irmo, South Carolina. They both grew up loving animals since they were little and always wanting to work with animals when they got older.

Kaleigh & Zach first connected through their passion for zoo photography on instagram which led to them meeting in person for the first time at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL. Kaleigh was completely oblivious that Zach liked her at all because she was too distracted by all of the animals. After their zoo trip, Zach invited Kaleigh to come visit him where he worked at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Kaleigh had been out of town during October, but when she came back, she took Zach up on his offer to visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Zach really impressed her by showing her behind the scenes of the aquarium and getting up close to some of the animals.

We went to Brio

Zach went back to school at Marshall University in West Virginia to finish his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Environmental Sciences.

Zach joined the Navy’s Marine Mammal internship program to work and train with their sea lions and dolphins in the open ocean.

Long distance

Kaleigh worked at White Oak

Zach worked at Mote Marine

They moved to Columbus

Zach surprised me while we were out exploring the Walnut Groves metro park. We love going hiking and exploring new outdoor spaces so I had no idea what he was planning!