Garrett and Matisse got engaged back in November, just a few days before this session (and I was there to document it!), but because of week-day time constraints, we scheduled their formal engagement session the following Saturday, to allow us all more time to get ready.  

They chose an epic location to celebrate–Twin Sisters Wallula!  I always love photographing here—it never disappoints!  And by November the fall rush had eased off, so we had the place mostly to ourselves!

Garrett had told Matisse that they were going to go to an engagement party later that afternoon, so they got all dressed up and then did photos right before.  But I’m pretty sure this session WAS the engagement party!  They’re definitely a couple who likes to keep things small, intimate, and personal, with no fuss, and just real moments.  They showed up dressed up and ready, and brought a party in a picnic basket, complete with champagne, a bouquet, and of course the dogs!

Garrett and Matisse met when they were 14 and started dating in high school! The first time I met them for family photos, they shared with me a photo of them before a homecoming dance, and now we’ve re-created it twice!  They plan to get married exactly one year after the day they got engaged, which also happens to be their anniversary!  They plan to elope next November in Colorado solely because in Colorado it’s legal for dogs to be witnesses at a wedding! How unique is that!?  I love that they want to include their four-legged family members on their most important day!  And I wish I could be there to document it with them!!

Garrett and Matisse, thank you so much for choosing me to capture your love!  It’s such an honor to capture your special moments, whether it’s with your family, or your fur-babies!  Thank you for bringing all the fun stuff to your engagement session so we could capture some beautiful moments together.  Thank you for being fun and relaxed, and willing to put up with my “just one more!” when I really mean like, 100 more!  I can’t wait to hear all about your elopement later this year!