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Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

Flagstaff Engagement Session 01 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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When we first met with Jessie & Nels to talk about their upcoming wedding, we casually mentioned the idea of doing an engagement session.  Jessie’s first response was, “Well, I don’t know. I don’t really like to have my picture taken.”  Of course, we took one look at her and said, “Why?  You’re gorgeous girl!”  Right then and there, we decided that an engagement session was a MUST for these two.  There’s no better way to get over your fear of the camera than to spend some time in front of it.  On Saturday, we drove up to Flagstaff to hang out with them for a few hours (and help Jessie face her fear.)  Nels used to live in Flag and he asked Jessie to marry him during an NAU homecoming game so it seemed like the perfect place to document their love story.  We started out in the downtown area, taking in all the fun colors and textures of the urban area.

(Please click here if you’d like to be notifed when the rest of their photos are online.)
AND don’t forget to click “love” under your favorite images along the way!

Flagstaff Engagement Session 02 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Sup? Oh the fun things you find in downtown alleys :-)

Flagstaff Engagement Session 03 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Flagstaff Engagement Session 04 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Workin’ it.

Flagstaff Engagement Session 06 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Nels did his under grad at NAU and played football there so our next stop was the campus of his alma mater.  Such a fun variety of places to shoot there!

Flagstaff Engagement Session 07 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Flagstaff Engagement Session 08 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Flagstaff Engagement Session 09 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Whatever Nels just said must have been really funny.  He looks pretty proud of himself right?  LOVE IT!

Flagstaff Engagement Session 10 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Jessie is gonna make one gorgeous bride.

Flagstaff Engagement Session 11 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Flagstaff Engagement Session 12 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Flagstaff Engagement Session 13 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Flagstaff Engagement Session 14 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Seriously, could these two BE any cuter together?  I think not.

Flagstaff Engagement Session 15 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Our next stop was an AMAZING lake front house that belongs to some friends of Nels’ parents.  They were kind enough to give us the run of the place for a few hours.  The views were absolutely gorgeous.

Flagstaff Engagement Session 16 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Love :-)

Flagstaff Engagement Session 17 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Oddly enough, the timing of our little day trip worked out so that both of their families were staying in town for a golf tournament.  Towards the end of the session, both of their moms showed up to bring their puppy Dierks for a guest appearance in a few pics.

Flagstaff Engagement Session 18 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Yeah, I think it’s pretty clear that they love their furry kid.  In fact, he was very instrumental in their proposal story too.  Nels had a puppy t-shirt made that said “Will You Be My Mommy?”  So actually, Dierks was the one that did the asking!  SO  cute!

Flagstaff Engagement Session 19 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Flagstaff Engagement Session 20 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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A few more of our favorites from around the property . . .

Flagstaff Engagement Session 21 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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(Sigh) Why can’t there be more tall grass and green trees around Phoenix?

Flagstaff Engagement Session 22 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Flagstaff Engagement Session 23 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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Flagstaff Engagement Session 24 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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A-DOR-A-BLE!  Can’t wait to shoot these two on their big day next month!

Flagstaff Engagement Session 25 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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As the sun was starting to set, we ventured down to the lakefront one more time for a leisurely stroll.

Flagstaff Engagement Session 27 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ

votemouseover2 Jessie & Nels Engagement Session: Flagstaff, AZ
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To Jessie & Nels: we had so much fun hanging out with you guys!  Thanks for making the trek up north and being willing to stare lovingly into each other’s eyes all day :-)  So excited for the big day!

Ok now readers, it’s up to all of you to tell Jessie how FABULOUS she looks so she’ll never be camera shy again . . . leave lots of comments below!

Nels Van Peursem via Facebook - September 21, 2011 - 10:43 am

The photos look amazing guys! Thank you!

Jessie Strunk via Facebook - September 21, 2011 - 10:47 am

Wow, that was fast! Thanks for your sweet comments. The pictures look GREAT and we had so much fun with you two. Can’t wait to see the rest. Thank you! Thank you! You guys are awesome!

Simply KNOT Photography via Facebook - September 21, 2011 - 10:50 am

So glad you guys like them! We had a blast too – can’t wait to share more soon :-)

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