On a rare lazy Sunday, Scott & I visited a little overlook I had been wanting to see to enjoy a bit of the outdoors. We brought our cameras {including our new film cameras – more on that soon!} and had fun snapping away at the amazing skyline, the gorgeous wildflowers, each other — but I couldn’t help but secretly think (okay I lied, I thought it very much out loud) how I wished I had a fabulous couple to shoot at this new Best Location In the Universe.

I actually was SO SO ANTSY that I called my sister on the drive home, told her I had found a photographer’s paradise, and asked if her & her awesome bf Kenny would be up for a photoshoot that very week. Luckily, my sister is a photographer as well, completely understood my crazy photographer needs, and agreed without a second thought. I firmly believe my little sis is way more stylish & photogenic than I am, but see any sisterly resemblance? :)

A big thank you to my sister & Kenny for agreeing to this shoot and braving the craziest of winds for these photos. I am so so excited we could work out this shoot even in the midst of wedding season.

P.S. Note to anyone having a heart attack at this moment (aka Mom) – these are just for fun & NOT engagement photos :)

Carrie & Matt’s story begins at the Hollywood Bowl. Carrie was performing in the choir of a show and Matt worked behind-the-scenes at the Bowl. When they awesomely suggested doing their engagement session there, I was a) completely elated and b) a little confused. My visits there were always happy, involving balmy summer days & amazing sounds courtesy of The Decemberists, Death Cab for Cutie, & Tegan and Sara. But they have also been marked by insane crowds, sitting at the tippy-top of the wooden bench seating, and tandem parking webs of death. It boggled my mind to imagine that the bowl was open to the public during the day, that we could run amok through ALL the seating (box seats! box seats!), and that we could possibly be – wait for it – THE ONLY ONES THERE.

It was a beautiful morning. Carrie & Matt are so fun & laidback and they were kindly on board with me asking them to run to all corners of the Bowl (we’re standing in the box seats!!) I am beyond excited for their wedding next month at Senshin Buddhist Temple. Not only is it going to be unlike any wedding we have done, Senshin holds fond memories for me of obon festivals, gatherings, and taiko practices/performances. I know it is going to make an amazing backdrop for their wedding!

We started off the session at Griffith Park. I love how green everything was due to the recent rains…

It was so cool being on the other side of the stage & peeking through…

Below is the very spot where they first met. It was so sweet watching them get a bit teary-eyed as they reminisced…

When it comes time to chat about the engagement session, I always encourage couples to think of ways to incorporate a bit of who they are. Weddings with personalized touches are my favorite, but engagement sessions give additional free reign for meaningful locations, outfits that are perfectly “you”, and any fun props or themes – the possibilities are endless! :)

Suzanne & Robert took the idea of a personalized engagement session and ran with it! They both love the outdoors, & in her emails, Suzanne painted a picture of them camping, with hot chocolate, a tent, and lush natural surroundings. And so for the second half of Suzanne & Robert’s session, we ventured into the hills for a mini camping trip. I love all the details they gathered {Suzanne even brought along her trusty SLR} & their outfit choices as well – the perfect blend of rustic + outdoorsy + stylish, which fit the settings perfectly! We had so much fun setting up the scene & running around the area. And props to Robert & Scott for pitching the tent in what has to be the fastest time I’ve seen – and I’ve done some lightening-fast tent setups in my Girl Scouting days (okay, I lie, we were much better at selling cookies than pitching tents.)