I was so thrilled to have met and photographed Sara and Austin’s Big Sur sunset engagement shoot yesterday! I can’t stress the importance of the relationship between photographer and couples enough but when there isn’t much opportunity to meet before the big shoot, making friends along the way is equally fun.

The three of us spent plenty of time together hiking miles all over Big Sur, from Garrapoda State Park to the other beaches in the area. AND some exclusive spots too, scouted out by yours truly! I love getting to know all the little nooks and crannies of where I shoot. Even as a local Big Sur photographer, this coastline never ceases to surprise me with something beautiful. And of course, getting to know Sara and Austin during their Big Sur sunset engagement shoot was a delight. Read on for this gorgeous session!

Before The Sunset: How They Met

Sara and Austin have been together for nearly ten years now. She does graphic design and he does IT. They met at a library- and isn’t that the most romantic place to meet your partner ever? I can’t get enough of it! These two are the cutest lovebirds around. I just couldn’t believe it when they told me they were nervous about being awkward in front of the camera. Not at all! I totally understand how it can be nervewracking for people to “act natural”, but I didn’t get a bit of awkwardness from either of them!

I think their energies with each other really shine in this Big Sur sunset engagement shoot, don’t you think? And of course, the engagement ring is very shiny too!

Cotton Candy Sunset Skies

Speaking of sunsets, this was one for the books! For a weekend in Big Sur, surprisingly it wasn’t very busy and the weather was perfectly mild, a little overcast- but the sunset really added this showstopper element to the shoot. I loved the fiery red and pink colors in the sky that evening, it actually reminded me of cotton candy- but maybe that’s just my sweet tooth talking… do you see it too? It was a sight to see that really lit up Sara and Austin’s faces- as if you can’t already look bright and joyful when you’re with the one you love, a vibrant sunset is the cherry on top!

The Importance Of The Engagement Shoot

Engagement sessions are such an important puzzle piece in the bigger picture of a couple’s love story. Especially if your photographer will be covering your wedding too! Familiar faces on your special day are part of what makes it so special after all. I loved getting to know Sara and Austin during their Big Sur sunset engagement shoot- we went through a couple of their wedding songs in their playlist which really helped set the mood for the whole session! Even just chatting with your couples over coffee, or in our case, a super fun hike can really make all the difference for a positive experience! All work and no play is a no-go for this Big Sur photographer!

To Sara and Austin, it was my pleasure getting to know you too and showing you around some new locations around Big Sur. I hope you had just as much fun as I did! And I can’t wait til your private estate wedding… it feels like it’s just around the corner!

Need a local Big Sur photographer’s eye for your engagement session? I’m your gal! Contact me here and let’s make it happen!