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

Sunset Cliffs Engagement Session: Chantelle and Carrie

One swipe right and you could be finishing the sentences of your future life partner over a few glasses of wine. This is how Chantelle and Carrie’s whirlwind romance began: in sync from the moment they met, feeling like they had known each other their entire lives, and most importantly, feeling completely seen by the other. This power couple - Chantelle graduated law school and passed the California BAR exam this year while Carrie continues to serve 20 years and counting in the United States Navy - quickly recognized that they wanted the same things in life, so when they found the ring Chantelle had pinned to her Pinterest board for years, bought it and viola: engaged!

As we planned their San Diego engagement session, Chantelle and Carrie wanted a backdrop with water, but not on the beach, as well as a location that would fit with a formal wardrobe change. Sunset Cliffs and Balboa Park were the perfect San Diego engagement session locations to meet their wants, BUT there was a catch: we would need to begin shooting at sunrise to avoid crowds of people.

Without hesitation, Chantelle and Carrie agreed to meet at the crack of dawn, dressed, hair done, make up done, ready to smile, and let me tell you: these two brought it! The magnetic love these two have for each other simply glows! Their instant bursts of laughter, their positive energy and adoration for each other made capturing their love easy and an absolute pleasure.

Chantelle and Carrie, from our first conversation, I knew you two were gems! I adore your energy and will always be your biggest cheerleader behind the camera. Thank you for trusting me in capturing your love story! xoxo, 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

Cactus Garden San Diego Engagement Session: Ivy and Bryan, Part One

Ivy and Bryan are a couple who's interests I can relate to: lovers of travel - they got engaged during their second trip to Thailand! - and complete foodies, often making intricate dishes themselves at home, these two have been together since college. Having met at Arizona State University, they wanted a southwestern vibe for their first engagement session location and I immediately thought of the Cactus Garden at Balboa Park. With plenty of dirt paths and cacti greenery, the Cactus Garden is as much 'desert vibe' as we can get in San Diego proper, and Ivy's red-orange dress completely popped and coordinated so well with Bryan's chambray button up: please file these two under 'super chic engagement outfits' Ha!

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Downtown San Diego Engagement Session

Ivy and Bryan, Part 2

Downtown San Diego Engagement Session: Ivy and Bryan, Part Two

Ivy and Bryan's love story started in Arizona as college students and has evolved where they are now residents of the East Village in San Diego, so what better backdrop for the second part of their engagement session than Downtown San Diego. With champagne in hand, an iconic sunset, and decked out in chic outfits ready to take on the town, Ivy and Bryan's San Diego rooftop engagement session is one of my favorite sessions to date!

Ivy and Bryan, thank you for asking me to document this very special time in your lives: no pressure on me, right?! Ha! I adore you both and am grateful to call you both friends. xo, Evmo

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Cactus Garden Engagement Session

Ivy and Bryan, Part 1