I had the honor of photographing Helen and Grace’s engagement session at Ventana and I couldn’t be happier for them. To be able to capture this chapter of their love story was a real treat! And of course, I’m always delighted to shoot at one of my favorite venues in Big Sur as a same-sex photographer and LGTBQ friendly business. Read on for this woodsy and adventurous Ventana engagement session!

Engagement Session Venue

Originally, Helen proposed to Grace at Tree Bones but the highway gave out (that sorta thing can happen in Big Sur… that’s why it’s a good idea to have a local photographer on your team!). They wanted to keep their engagement session to be very intimate and private so we went to Ventana. The property’s grounds are absolutely beautiful and perfect for glamping. It’s really a luxury experience and a more refined way to live the outdoor experience in Big Sur! I can’t say enough about it as a local Ventana photographer!

According to Helen, Big Sur is the perfect combination of her favorite landscape (the ocean), and Grace’s (mountains and trees). I loved getting to know this about the two of them! I’m confident it’ll be a place they keep returning to so I’m thrilled to give it some extra meaningfulness. When my couples have a special connection to their location, it makes the session that much more amazing!

When Did You & Your Partner Meet?

“We met a little over 2 years on the internet (but if she ever tells my mom that again, the consequences will be dire). Depends on how you count pandemic years though – are they like dog years? I couldn’t have asked for a better partner/person to face the hard things with. This is not very romantic but I was in a big car accident and it took a year to recover. We’re good at caring for each other. She makes me laugh multiple times a day, EVERY day and doesn’t let me take myself too seriously. She is full of heart & silliness, even though she is a smarty pants & a badass.” – Helen

Coast & Cliffs Ventana Engagement Session

We began our three-hour Ventana engagement session with me giving Helen and Grace a tour of Big Sur! We stopped at multiple locations in the area that I thought they’d love since they combine the coasts and cliffs. It was SUCH a fun adventure spending the day with these two! And did I mention the ring? I loved the salt and pepper look for the diamond and the funky modern setting! I’ve never seen anything like it!

Helen and Grace’s Ventana engagement session was SUCH a joy to capture as a Ventana photographer AND same-sex photographer! I believe in capturing every love story anywhere my couples’ hearts take them. Looking for a Ventana photographer yourself? An LGTBQ friendly business? I’m your gal! Contact me here.