Thinking about bringing your dog along on your engagement session? Here are a few reasons why you absolutely should (plus some tips and tricks to make the whole thing run smoothly)!

Let’s be honest, having a chick crawling around in the bushes (oh yes, literally!) with a camera focusing solely on you is……not your average Thursday night’s activity (or maybe it is? If so it’s probably best you keep that to yourself ;-).

Alex and Tom were so natural in front of the camera. And it doesn’t hurt that they’re gorgeous, obviously. These people are basically Good Humans for a living (she being a nurse and he being a fireman/first responder) and that force of good definitely shines when you see them interact together.

Claudia and Izzy have one of those sweet stories that everyone dreams of: high school sweethearts introduced via family and mutual friends who have been together through thick and thin for years.

Every now and again I’ll get to a shoot location and be completely bowled over by how perfect everything is: the lighting, the way the gray sky seems to melt into a pale lake as fresh pools reflect the seagulls overhead. A calm, dark forest that is straight out of an enchanted Grimms Fairy Tale (minus all of the awful stuff, obviously!).

The morning of Brian and Kelsey’s engagement session was definitely such an occasion.

Katie and John are the kind of couple who radiate positive energy and, luckily for me, it’s definitely contagious. I had so much fun running around Montrose Beach with them earlier this month. This was only about two days post Polar Vortex fun (bye, Felicia!) and we took full advantage of the empty beach, the stunning skyline and the dramatic ice that created an almost alien landscape…

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to capture Melanie and Dave’s engagement session at one of my favorite new spots in the area, per their suggestion. Throw in a healthy dose of fall colors, gorgeous light and a lovely and beautiful couple who are tying the knot next July and, well, I can’t possibly imagine a better way to spend some time on a Sunday afternoon.

Bonus points for their “Save The Date” creativity! Scroll on down to see some of the magic for yourself <3.

Summerlicious definition: Mariella and Andy at Montrose Beach and Bird Sanctuary. Holy moly, this is the stuff summer dreams are made of!