Last week I ventured over to the Bay area of California, and I was absolutely captivated by the abundance of stunning locations perfect for photography! I had the privilege of photographing J & B's engagement session at Filoli, a sprawling historic estate featuring exquisite gardens filled with vibrant flowers, majestic trees, elegant ivy, and timeless architecture that provided countless creative opportunities.

When I initially met these two on Zoom, they expressed their appreciation for my "documentary-style" approach and confessed they felt awkward in front of the camera. This engagement session marked their first professional photography experience, though you'd never guess it from the resulting images. By the end of our time together, they were posing like seasoned models! I'm a firm believer that anyone can shine in photos with the right guidance and encouragement.

Upon arriving at Filoli, we designated a spot for our belongings and began with a few classic posed photos in front of a magnificent window before transitioning into interactive prompts like "follow the leader." These playful activities consistently produce natural, candid-looking images that truly capture authentic emotion.

I strongly believe that a photo session should be more than just striking poses—it's an exercise in building trust between the couple and photographer. So naturally, I encouraged him to sweep her off her feet with a playful spin! I offered minimal direction here, simply suggesting she kick her feet or wrap her arms around his neck—whatever felt most natural in the moment. The vibrant greenery created a stunning backdrop, and the golden-hour lighting was absolutely perfect—we couldn't have chosen a better time for this session!

The color of their outfits matched so well with the vibrant greens. The lighting was perfect as well - we chose the perfect time!

We incorporated more physical activities by playing an impromptu game of tag around a stately tree. I love how the subtle motion blur in these images creates an immersive quality, making viewers feel as though they're witnessing the moment firsthand.

I will always give you the black and white versions of each color image in your gallery - no extra charge.

When I spotted the pool, my editorial instincts immediately took over. While I'm not the type of photographer who will pose you down to your fingertips, we did take time to thoughtfully arrange the chairs, and J&B brilliantly suggested crossing their legs in opposite directions! I treasure when clients feel comfortable enough to contribute creative ideas. The final images turned out magnificently, and we had an absolute blast creating them together.

This portrait truly captures their connection! They sit side by side together with such confidence and complicity—like two souls perfectly in sync on their greatest adventure.

The leather jacket was such a cute look for the chillier times during our session!

A photography session shouldn't feel too much like a performance but rather an enjoyable experience for couples to connect. I intentionally create breathing room between prompts, allowing people to simply be themselves. It's in these unscripted moments that some of the most beautiful, genuine interactions occur. This approach allows your authentic personalities to shine through while still capturing artistic images that transcend everyday life and truly reflect the essence of your relationship.

Not pictured: all the people in the background that I edited out with AI, hahaha. Filoli is quite crowded on weekends - recommend a weekday session if you’re thinking of doing it!

I'm incredibly excited to discover where my journey into destination wedding photography will take me next. I'm passionate about connecting with more fun-loving couples who may feel camera-shy and desire a photographer who can provide guidance while ensuring they thoroughly enjoy their experience, regardless of location!

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