What is it that is so magical about San Francisco? I love visiting this city, dining, exploring, relaxing, and of course shooting there. This session was such a fun mix of their beautiful light-filled loft {in a historic building that used to be a brewery!} and the prettiness that is Crissy Field.

The weather was perfect (how do I get so lucky almost every time I’m up there??) and I loved every minute of this session!

I refer to Natalie as my “ice skating friend.” From something like ages 6-13, we spent almost every Saturday morning driving up to the rink in Palos Verdes and taking lessons together. We practiced for performances and little competitions, and forged a friendship based not just on salchows and loop jumps, but on playing ridiculous amounts of video games, making our own stationery & then trying to sell it, coming up with dance routines, taking pictures of our cats & creating calendars out of them – you know, the usual childhood shennanigans :)

We lost touch a bit over the years, but I was so so overjoyed when she contacted me recently with the news that she was engaged! Equally exciting was that we both happen to now be living in Long Beach and are practically neighbors. I was so happy when she chose her amazing little Long Beach neighborhood for the photos, these kind of relaxed cozy lifestyle-y sessions are always some of my favorites. Natalie has always been one of the most kind-hearted & beautiful people I know, and I’m so so excited for her and Jeff, they are such the perfect match! I hope you get a sense of their sweet relationship through these photos :)

At-home engagement sessions are definitely one of my most favorite kinds – you are in an environment that is at once relaxed, calm, quiet, and filled by dear memories. Add in a blooming garden, a hammock, an ocean view, and a couple furry friends and you have the dreamiest engagement photos like the ones you see below. Jackie and Keith have the most beautiful home, and I’m so so glad to they chose to do their engagement photos there!

P.S. More favorite things – Jackie’s sweet updo, the wall of her art creations, and the fact that she chose to go barefoot for the session… love!