Sunset Cliffs Engagement Session: Eve and Matt

Matt sought a partner with TSA pre check and the ability to ski. Eve? She wanted a feminist partner who would embrace her Queer community. Matt fit the bill, and Eve needed ski lessons and pushed back on that extra security clearance. 

The good news: sparks flew during their first date picnic at Balboa Park, right next to the Rose Garden. A Hinge match, Matt kissed Eve within the hour of meeting each other for the first time and launched their love story. 

Since being with Matt. doesn't have to take her shoes off at the airport ha! What each also found after that romantic first date was a true, deep love and a lot of fun which we had at their Sunset Cliffs engagement session. 

And speaking of shoes, Eve brought her pair of heeled Dr. Martens 'just in case' we had time to photograph her in them and of course I made time! Anything that is special to someone should be included in photos.

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Los Angeles Family Portraits: Estrella and Estevan

A year and a half ago, Estevan, Estrella, expecting their first child, and I had a grand ol' time during their maternity session in La Jolla. These two are the epitome of graceful and fun, calm and understanding, full of gratitude and class. Today they are amazing parents to a beautiful little girl and are expecting their second baby! Time for maternity session round 2, but remixed!

See, having grown up with a grandparent in my home for many years, I know how 'it takes a village' to raise a child rings true and how much of a blessing it is to have a close relationship with a grandparent. This is one of the many reasons we included Estrella's gorgeous mother, Rebeca, in this maternity and family portrait session at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in Los Angeles. Rebeca plays the important role of grandmother, mother, and support system to all.

Estrella and Estevan wanted their second maternity session to include lots of greenery so Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area was the perfect backdrop for their vision. With great paths for them to stroll as a family, Big-Sister-to-be finally gave me a smile!

Estrella and Estevan, I'm beyond flattered that you asked me to document a very special time in your lives for the second time. I love how you deeply value each other, your growing family, and those around you. Can't wait for Baby E's arrival! Un abrazo, Evelyn

Balboa Park Sunrise Engagement Session: Vivian and Dale

Love languages include words of affirmation and physical touch, so when you state your preference on a dating profile, you hope you find someone who truly understands you. This is exactly what happened to Vivian, except that she wrote, "Cheese is my love language." A girl with good taste AND a sense of humor? Dale could not resist. Their romance began with a first date where Vivian brought along her dog, Pippa, as a companion, and led to an engagement with a light blue, custom sapphire engagement ring from Montana.

When Vivian initially inquired with me for an engagement session, she sent me a photo of the formal black dress she wanted to wear at her engagement session: a woman with a plan after my own heart! When we decided to capture Vivian and Dale's engagement photos at an outdoor San Diego brewery, in fact, the place where they had their first date, Vivian changed up her outfit to reflect the casual environment.

With the latest Covid restrictions in San Diego, that plan got remixed to a sunrise engagement session at Balboa Park (hello 6am meeting time!) Not only would we run into fewer people as Covid safety precautions, we would also have iconic park spots to ourselves, AND Vivian's elegant black dress was back in the picture! Even better is that we began shooting while the Balboa Park market lights were still on in the background of the Lily Pond, right by the Botanical Building, a background request from Vivian. Pippa is a part of this family, so it was only right that she was also included in this session!

Vivian and Dale, thank you for being so much fun to plan with! Getting up early was 100% worth it! Please keep posting cooking videos as I love them :) - Evelyn

Mission Trails Engagement: Art and Elmer

Hiking through national parks, road trips up and down the West Coast, and relaxing beach days, Art and Elmer are always on the hunt for adventure. Their mutual love for the outdoors quickly bonded them upon meeting as well as their love to kick back and enjoy a beverage or two to celebrate life. Their latest celebration? Their engagement, and San Diego's Mission Trails Regional Park was the perfect backdrop for Art and Elmer's engagement session: it has the nature, water, and trails they are always seeking and love, and in staying true to their personal style, they brought a bottle to pop, toast, and enjoy as well!

Art and Elmer, you know I adore you both and am grateful you asked me to document this very special time in your lives. Your openness for fun and laughter during this session made me love you guys more! xoxo, Evelyn

What To Wear: Engagement Photos

We have all been there: standing in front of our closets, wondering what to wear. It's a random Tuesday with nothing especially crazy-amazing on the agenda, and we struggle to pick something out, so I understand the guidance desired when my couples ask me, "What should we wear to our engagement session?" because this session IS in fact a mometous event!

Think of your engagement session as a special occasion date. This is a time for you both to connect, spend quality time together, and look good while doing it!

Take this opportunity to dress up!

Special occasions call for you to get dressed up! For my brides, a classic, single color cocktail dress and heels is the perfect combination: a shorter dress lets you walk freely, show your feminine side as well as your awesome taste in shoes. For my grooms, a well fitted suit and dress shoes are a match made in heaven. Since it's often warm in Southern California, a crisp, collared shirt works well too: you will look put together and sleek!

Just like with your wedding photos, you will want to look back at your engagement session in a timeless manner and have what you felt in these photographed moments be top of mind. You want these photos to hang on the walls of your home and your families' homes for years to come, not until the trendy outfit you wore goes out of style.

Opt for solid colors that help you both pop amongst any background; it allows the focus of each photograph to be on you! Also, remember to also wear different colors from each other in order for each of you to stand out.

To my ladies who are looking to wear something different than your classic little black dress, I highly recommend Rent the Runway: with thousands of beautiful dresses in stock, that they will send you up to two sizes of each dress for you to wear and send back to them. Easy process and affordably chic!

Remember that you will be photographed from head to toe, so shoes matter. Gentlemen, shine up your dress shoes, and ladies, be cute and comfortable since we will be moving a lot during your session.

Love your outfit!

I love being a part of the pre-wedding and pre-engagement shoot process with my couples, so it's my pleasure to give you my opinion on wardrobe options. When Chelsea, pictured below, sent me photos of dresses she was considering for her engagement session, she pointed out this white dress and said, "I'm not going to lie: I'm pretty obsessed with it!" THIS reaction, THIS excitement, THIS feeling is what you should have when picking out your engagement session outfit.

Love what you are wearing, feel beautiful (handsome, for my fellas) and confident in what you wear so the only thing you are thinking of is being in the moment.

Have a professional do your hair and make up.

Your engagement session is a special occasion date, so while your outfits will look amazing, you'll want to prioritize your hair and face too! I recommend hiring a professional or your wedding hair and make-up artist to run a wedding day hair and make up trial on your engagement session date. You will have know what to expect on your wedding day as well as look and feel your best in your engagement photos.

And to my grooms, you know that there is nothing more fresh feeling then getting a clean haircut and shave!

So as you plan our your engagement session outfits, or special occasion date as I've dubbed it, check off each item on this check list for the perfect look:

• Cocktail dress and heels

• Suit and dress shoes

• Solid colors

• Professional hair and make up

• Fresh hair cut and shave

Remember, I can always be your fashion consultant beforehand if you want to share outfits with me! I can't wait to see you at your engagement session! - Evelyn