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!

Sup? Oh the fun things you find in downtown alleys :-)

Workin’ it.

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!

Whatever Nels just said must have been really funny.  He looks pretty proud of himself right?  LOVE IT!

Jessie is gonna make one gorgeous bride.

Seriously, could these two BE any cuter together?  I think not.

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.

 

Love :-)

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.

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!

A few more of our favorites from around the property . . .

(Sigh) Why can’t there be more tall grass and green trees around Phoenix?

A-DOR-A-BLE!  Can’t wait to shoot these two on their big day next month!

As the sun was starting to set, we ventured down to the lakefront one more time for a leisurely stroll.

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!