Oh man, am I excited to share this post with you guys!! This session happens to also hold one of my top favorite moments! This story is good, so make sure to read it before checking out some gorgeous images from Oregon! Without further ado, meet Rebecca and Colin!

Let me first begin with how I know Rebecca. I’ve known Rebecca for a little over five years now! We met at a Photography Workshop hosted by Julie Paisley several years back [in her former life as a photographer]. I like when we tell people how we met because it’s almost like she was a stalker…and I’m totally okay with that, being a sleuth myself and all, haha! We were put into a Facebook group of workshop attendees together and she clicked my profile, found out we somehow had one mutual friend and that I was a Gators fan, so clearly, I was not a crazy person [I mean, that is completely subjective]. She reached out to me about rooming together and I said yes! So we roomed together and got to know each other a little better. Since then, we’ve kept in contact! I’ve actually assisted on a couple of weddings with her when she used to live in South Florida. But at this point, it’s been almost three years since we last seen each other. That is until now! I knew she moved out west to Bend, Oregon last year and reached out to her two months or so ago to let her know that I would be out her way and wanted to meet up! She topped that and invited me to stay with her during my time out there! I was stoked! The day had finally come to head out west and Rebecca came and picked me up in Portland, which was about three hours away from Bend. It flew by quickly as we chatted the whole way back, just catching up on life!! Later that evening, we met up with her-then-boyfriend, Colin, at the Country Club where he had just played in a Golf Tournament. There at dinner, Colin and I were chatting and he asked me if in the morning during their couple’s shoot if I would be taking all of the pictures, like all of the candid photos and it was right then that I knew what he was getting at. I. Was. Pumped!

The next morning, we got up at 4am for a Sunrise shoot at Smith Rock and was out the door about an hour later! We were some of the first to the park, just before actual sunrise, and started for the trail. I had no idea how this was going to play out – but it happened quick! We took a couple of photos at the top of the trail down, and as Rebecca turns back and walks toward me, here’s Colin pulling the ring [no box] out of his pocket!! Oh boy!! Rebecca is asking me a question, Colin has the ring, I’m shaking my head no and he’s shaking yes, she’s confused because I’m not answering her, and within a matter of seconds, she turns around and he’s down on his knee! 6am on the dot! I know you must be wondering why I was shaking my head no, so let me tell you. It’s because even though these two were in their nice clothes, Rebecca was still in trail shoes, not her nice shoes that she brought. All I can think is, no, she’d want to be wearing her nice shoes for this…but there was no time! It was happening!! I’m clicking away like nobody’s business!! You really could not have asked for a more beautiful morning or backdrop for a sweet proposal like this. Also, after saying a quick “YES!”, Rebecca said, but I’m in my sneakers…but she knew sneakers or heels, it didn’t change one thing. In fact, it made their story more perfect and perfectly them! It was great hearing them tell their story throughout the day to their family and friends!! Rebecca and Colin had smiles from ear to ear the rest of the day.

After the proposal, we hit the trail for our once-couples-session-turned-engagement-session! When talking to Colin afterwards, he said he did it first thing because he wanted her to have the ring in all of their photos. Insert heart eye emoji! So, we ventured through the ever gorgeous Smith Rock State Park for the next hour or two. Honestly, I’m pretty sure I could shoot there every day. It was perfect and gorgeous, and sunrise there was more incredible than I could have imagined. After Smith Rock, we made our way back to Bend for brunch and celebratory Mimosas! After a fun-filled morning and early afternoon, we drove out to Sparks Lake. I was meeting a family there for a session [which you’ll hear about in another post]! After my family session, Rebecca, Colin and I took about five minutes or so and got a few more shots! It was after sunset and we were losing light quick, but they may be some of my favorite images ever! Honestly, all images involving Oregon are my favorites of life right now, but can you blame me?!

Rebecca and Colin, thank you so much for having me in your home, and showing me around Bend! It was such a pleasure seeing you guys and documenting this very special time in your life!! I cannot wait to see where the next chapter leads you!! I’m already looking forward to coming back and visiting, and also getting my picture in front of the last remaining Blockbuster!! Love you both!

xoxo,

Holly