Jen & Billy ♦ Santa Cruz Engagement Session

When I woke up yesterday and saw that the sun was shining and the sky was clear, I knew it would be a beautiful day for a beach engagement shoot. As I drove to Santa Cruz to meet Jen & Billy I was so excited that I wouldn't have to try to work with another drizzly damp day at the beach, but I have to admit that I was still a bit nervous about driving all the way to Santa Cruz to shoot a couple I'd never met. When I shoot engagement sessions, almost without exception, I've met the couple at least once or twice before. But I had no idea what I was in for with Jen & Billy. Boy was I relieved to find out that they are a down-to-Earth, fun, relaxed couple! In fact, I quickly felt as if Jen was an old friend. We strolled the boardwalk and the beach and enjoyed a relaxed session in the sun. And as if things weren't good enough, Jen & Billy have this love for each other that is almost palpable, which was just amazing to capture.

Lorna & Declan ☼ Modesto Children's Session

Just thought I'd share a little teaser from a recent session in Modesto. These two little cuties didn't like sitting still, but I had a ton of fun chasing them around! I love the outfits their mother Nickie chose for them. The touch of the hat on little Declan was just so cute!

Casey & Dave Santa Cruz Engagement Portraits

Casey & Dave met in high school. Normally at this point I would tell you that they were high school sweethearts who fell in love during their formative years and have been together ever since, but that's just not the case. Casey was just way too cool to go out with Dave in high school. Then they met up again after high school. Okay, I know you're thinking that this is when she realized what a great catch Dave is and fell in love. Nope. It's a good thing that Dave is a tenacious guy. When they met up again after high school, Dave hounded Casey for a month & a half before she gave in. It's a good thing she did too, because these two fit together so well, it's hard to imagine that there could have been a time when they weren't a couple. They have this amazing chemistry, you only have to be close to them to see how in love they are. The thing that amazed me the most about them was his ability to make her laugh. As you can see from the pics, Casey has the most amazing smile- but when she looks at him, her whole face lights up in a way that would melt your heart!
I had a blast shooting their engagement session yesterday in Santa Cruz at Lighthouse Field State Beach. It was one of those days when everything just came together perfectly. The weather was fantastic, the beach was beautiful and the couple was a ton of fun- what more could I ask for?

Here's a little Q & A from the happy couple:
How did the two of you meet?
Casey: We met in high school, he kept asking me out & I kept blowing him off
until after we graduated.
What initially attracted you to him/her?
Casey: His determination and dry sense of humor. His eyes.
Dave: Hard to get.
How did he propose?
Dave: Our fifth dating anniversary I had planned dinner at a restaurant where
I planned to propose. We had to cancel & attend a funeral. I ended up
proposing in our bedroom at the foot of our bed.
If your life was a movie, what would the title be? What would hers be?
Dave: Mine would be "Take it Easy." Casey's would be "The Big Sideways Cracker."
Casey: Ours would be "Always & Forever through thick & thin."