Don’t you love hearing the engagement story of a couple and how they met? You can see their eyes light up when retelling the story of the moment they first saw each other, and how they knew it was true love.

Kate and Derek’s Engagement Story

Kate and Derek’s engagement story begins as they met at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo after joining the Swing Dance club (CP Swing). She was a freshman and he was a senior. It was love at first sight. Their favorite dances were the Lindy Hop, the Charleston, and Balboa. They shared a love of dancing and adventuring in the area’s National Parks.

After graduation, Derek moved to the Bay Area for a job and the couple decided to maintain their relationship long-distance. For two years they would take turns driving to see each other on the weekends.

Their love story

The pandemic changed things, allowing the couple to spend more time together in San Luis Obispo. They had talked about marriage the year before, but had never set a date. On May 17, 2020, Derek proposed at the top of the Rocky Ridge. Kate said yes, and they celebrated that evening with their family and closest friends.

They were so happy to officially be engaged and wanted a way to remember this time in their lives and how they felt at that moment. They started to plan their wedding they searched for a San Luis Obispo photographer to capture these memories in pictures that will last a lifetime. With the referral from their wedding venue, They contacted me about their wedding photography and we set up a photo shoot.

The photos were taken in the Montana de Oro State Park, a beautiful setting for casual photos. They had spent many hours exploring places like this so it seemed like the most appropriate choice of locations. When choosing the location for their engagement photos, they wanted it to be somewhere familiar and with a local California photographer. It turned out to be the perfect spot and the photos were beautiful.

Do they still love swing dancing? Of course, and they dance together every Monday night at the Madonna Inn.

Most of the time people document their love for each with wedding photos on the “Big Day,” but engagement photos are much more relaxed and natural. They show couples spending time together in intimate settings, just being themselves. These photos can be kept for your personal collection, or used to create your “Save the Date” cards.

landscape photography - montana del oro state park

Why You Should Consider a Photographer to highlight your Engagement story

Should you do engagement photos ahead of the wedding day? Yes, absolutely. Couples are often anxious about the wedding photos, which can make things very tense and awkward when they are in front of the camera for the first time. If you have a chance to take a few photographs in a very relaxed, calm atmosphere it makes things go smoother and easier because the couple isn’t so tense.

The reason for that is because they have already taken photos together and are more confident in front of the camera. Then when the big day arrives, there’s not so much tension and nervousness.

Plus, you will have already had a chance to meet and get to know your photographer, so everything will go smoothly as anticipated.

photo of the ocean cliff at montana de oro

engaged couple walking along the ocean cliffs at montana del oro

San Luis Obispo Photographer who visually tells great engagement stories

If you would like to hire a San Luis Obispo photographer for your engagement photos, contact me and let’s work out the details together. Your engagement is one of the happiest, most celebrated times in your life. Let me help you take the opportunity to document it with a photo session.