Cinematic Engagement Session Inspiration
There are not enough kind words I could say about Zach and Dan. They were a dream to work with, and the intentionality that went into this session just warmed my creative heart. When Zach came to me about booking this session, he let me know that they were coming up on one year of being engaged, so naturally, it was about time for them to have photos that helped “present [themeselves] fully out to the world!!!” I was hooked instantly. Zach and Dan met on Hinge during Zach’s first year of medical school and maintain a long distance relationship while Dan pursues a career as a doctor in Memphis, TN, while Zach works on completing medical school in Texas. Zach told me that they have facetimed every. single. day. since their first date. He recalled them renting an AirBnB for their first date, when Dan came to Texas and they affirmed their commitment to each other from the beginning. Reminding each other to reject fear and embrace the trust they already shared, their relationship followed suit as they quickly became each other’s safe place.
Fast forward to their proposal on April 2nd, 2023, when Zach proposed at the Eras Tour (peep Dan’s shirt for this session !!! omg!!!). Since then, they’ve still been long distance, but taking it like champs, making it a priority to see each other often and explore the world together. Seriously, you should see their travels, I’m violently jealous !!!
(ok fine i’ll let you take a peek from a couple photos i might have snatched from Zach’s insta hehe)
We planned this session for about a month, which allowed me to dig into the nitty gritty of what made them tick, so I had tons of inspo going into the session. One of my favorite parts of my client experience is having my couples answer some questions about their relationship, and their answers just about killed me from the cuteness. Here’s a sneak peek!
Q1: describe your love story in one word.
- “safe”
Q2: what are some songs that are nostalgic and meaningful to your relationship?
- “love story – taylor swift (zach proposed to dan during this song at ERAS)” (peep the era’s tee in their photos !!?!! talk about intentional!!!)
Q3: what’s the hardest thing you’ve ever been through as a couple?
- “long distance, for years already and for years looking forward. we started off holding on to the phrase – “don’t be scared””
Q4: going all the way back, what do you remember feeling or thinking about them the very first time you met?
- Dan: “that moment when everything feels like it was just right. it was just right.”
- Zach: “i remember being so excited, his smile just made me fall in love, and I was so excited to see it in person. and I felt so happy that we opened up about very hard and real shit the very first night we met.”
Q5: what’s one thing they do in your relationship that you fall head over heels for every time?
- Dan: “we have each others back. carrying each others burden when we can.”
- Zach: “he always loves the queerest parts of me (when I paint my nails, when I wear a skirt). I feel like he just really sees me for who I am and loves exactly what that is with no expectations.”
Anyone else crying? No? Just me? Ok fine.
Fun ideas for a Cutie Sugarhouse Park Engagement Session in Salt Lake City, Utah
While I’m no longer in the DFW area, I think this session gives pretty similar vibes to Sugarhouse Park, which has a bunch of cute places nearby that we could stop at for a session that feels like a mini date!
A couple of my favorite places in the Sugarhouse area we’ll have to check out during your session, or for ideas of how you’ll spend a date night in SLC after we get some cutie photos of you and your partner!
Restaurants:
- Cafe Zupas: this is great if you’re a bit of a health nut like me! They have such good bowls and salads!
Bars/Breweries:
- Wasatch Brew Pub – this place seriously has something for everyone!!
- Hopkins Brewing Co. – the food is top tier and the beer is super great too!!
- Level Crossing Brewing Company – their brunch is the BEST, the staff is always so great, and their beer goes down smooooooth.
Coffee/Tea/Soda:
- Urban Sailor Sugarhouse – this place has the CUTEST vibes and is right across from Sugarhouse Park so we can grab a cup of coffee or tea and maybe a croissant if you’re feeling like feeding the ducks in the park!
- Beans and Brew – a staple if you’re in SLC! they have so many options for coffees, teas, and sparkling energy drinks to choose from and pretty great breakfast options as well!
- Thirst – if you like soda, you’ll loveeee this place!! My favorite is the Hustle which I foolishly continue to get during the evening when it has a generous amount of RedBull in it lol. My boyfriend loves the Death Star, and we both LOVE their pretzel dogs!
Shops:
- Raunch Records: this place is super quirky and fun! They sell a bunch of records and they also have a section for all things skateboarding if you or your partner are into it! My boyfriend and I went recently and we were both in heaven having a place that catered to both of our interests. Plus, they have a cat in the store that’s super chatty and very very fluffy lol.
- Barnes and Noble – in case you’re a bit of a book nerd like me, I think a little barnes and noble trip after a fun picnic in the park would be sooooo cutie!!
Cinematic, Documentary Photographer based in Salt Lake City
Luckily for you, you’re already on your way to knocking the first thing off of your to-do list to plan the cutest, cinematic Salt Lake City Engagement Session: booking your engagement photographer! I am a SLC-based couples + elopement photographer who is already itching to photograph your adventurous love.
If you’re down for breaking free from the wedding norm, swapping heels for hiking boots, and embracing adventure, you’re in the right place.
Through nostalgic, candid imagery, I strive to capture so much more than a photo. Instead, every image should radiate the kind of nostalgia that makes you ready to bust out the record player and dance in the kitchen with your lover.
It is the greatest privilege to document the adventurous love of couples wherever there’s coffee and stories to be shared.
Okay, formal introductions out of the way, here are 3 fun facts about me:
1. I am an avid plant collector, but don’t let me fool ya… I have killed (and will continue to kill) my fair share of plants. But I like to think that with each dead plant, comes a lesson that I carry into the future! even if it’s just “don’t buy expensive plants without researching them… rookie mistake)
2. My wedding packages are actually named after my 3 fur babies, Rosemary, Sage, and Basil. I think each package is somewhat of a reflection of each of their personalities, but that explanation would take ages… And then, of course, my portrait package is called Evergreen, which is my dog’s middle name!
3. Photography actually isn’t my full time gig! I’m a High School English Teacher full time and I also help photographers show up confidently and strategically on Instagram. So needless to say, I am a busy busy gal, but so in love with the life I am creating!!
Salt Lake City Engagement Session Packages
You bet your bottom dollar I’m ready to document your love and create some really beautiful art with you!! You can book your adventure session here and we’ll dive basically immediately into documenting your love story authentically + cinematically.
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