This sunset engagement session was something really extra special. Some love stories feel woven into time, you know? Ellie and Austin’s story is exactly that. Here’s why: they met when they were young, long before either of them knew what love would look like. Their parents were close friends. Weekends were spent watching kickball games, sitting through wrestling tournaments, and sharing space without realizing how much it would matter later. Years passed. Life moved forward. Then high school arrived, conversations turned into connection, and during Austin’s senior year, he asked Ellie to be his girlfriend. I mean, it reads like a movie!
And this session felt like a natural extension of that history. It was easy and comfortable. (And so. much. fun.)
We started off the session with a little nod to their trip to Oktoberfest fest in Germany recently. They put on lederhosen and a dirndl, and shared a “Prost!” together to start the photo shoot.
It set their sunset engagement session off with such a fun tone!
The light this evening was soft and golden, wrapping everything in warmth. Ellie wore a fitted white dress with long sleeves and a subtle wrap detail. Austin paired dark denim with a black and gray flannel. The look was classic and timeless! Perfect for an evening frolicking in the park.
As the light deepened, their playful side came through. Austin lifted Ellie into the tall grass. They joked and posed. They laughed some more. There was no pressure to be perfect, we just held space to be themselves.
A sunset engagement session is so magical. The light is sooo glowy and delicious! It makes you feel all wrapped up in its glow. Here’s another recent example.
Allie And Austin’s proposal story mirrors that same mix of humor and heart as I saw at their shoot. Austin asked Ellie’s dad for permission during a long car ride to her family cabin on Christmas Eve. Then, the ring shopping trip with her mom that holiday involved secret planning and no phones, knowing Ellie would absolutely be tracking them. When the moment finally came, Austin planned an ice fishing day. Ellie had no idea. He set up the fish house on the lake and got down on one knee before she even stepped inside. Her response was a resounding: “SHUT THE F**K UP” followed with a few “I hate you”s. Never once saying yes, haha. But both Ellie and Austin knew she meant to say yes. He was so thrilled he was able to actually surprise her! (This story cracked me up, I wish you could hear these two tell it!!)
But at the end of the day, these two knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.
A sunset engagement session like this is about more than beautiful light. It is about the connection shared. And capturing the feeling that has always been there, and now gets to be center stage and celebrated in this season of life. Ellie and Austin, thank you for choosing me to be your photographer!
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