Shawna + Brad

I don't normally post this many images from an Engagement Session, but this is one of the coolest places I've photographed, with an especially fun couple. We went to Saquish Beach which is like a large sandbar with houses on it. I had to ditch my car and join Shawna and Brad because I don't have four-wheel drive and the roads- actually there was only really one road- was pure sand. Not packed down, hard sand but soft, lay on the beach sand and it was so fun to drive along. The weather was really grey and had been threatening to rain, but as soon as we started taking pictures, the clouds starting dispersing and the most beautiful light poured from the sky. It was a ridiculously ideal setting. Shawna and Brad were so easy to photograph- they have such a graceful ease together. They were kind of in their own world and I was just tagging along for the ride...

The colors seem unreal but that's how it was.







Love love love this image.



Another favorite. Their pup just planted himself there on his own.





Considering Saquish is so small that I could practically see the ocean surrounding us, there was such a variety of scenery- miniature wooded patches, marshes, fields of wild beachy stuff growing on the side of the road...I could have spent the whole day out there.







I love this moment-something about the expressions, the inbetween-ness of it. So many beautiful, interesting images are those that are unexpected or that have a peculiar character to them that point to how really strange and wonderful life can be.



And then there is the beauty of pure joy, of playing around like a carefree child...





Because I've been an artist for so long before becoming a professional photographer, I always feel like I need to create images that really inspire me and transcend the boundaries of "professional" portrait or wedding photography. I have found a happy balance of creating work that is fulfilling that my clients love, but we might not always agree on our favorite image. The image below I love because it is so poignant, so raw. It might not make the best Christmas card, but I want to frame it and hang it on a gallery wall above a placard with my name proudly printed on it.



This might be my favorite image from the whole session. It just has this poet, otherworldly quality to it.







This one's got a little place in my heart, too.



Shawna + Brad,
Thank you so much for taking me out here. You are lucky to have such a spot to escape to- it really is a beautiful place. And so perfect for your session- I think it reflects a lot of the qualities that you both share in common. It's hard to put into words, just a feeling.