There are engagement sessions, and then there are experiences that stay with you forever. This California engagement session with Jordyn and Max was one I’ll never forget.
In just a week and a half, these two will be getting married at Club at Corazon. But from the very first time I met Jordyn, I knew I wanted to spend time with them in the place they call home before their wedding day. I wanted to see the life they’d built together in Los Angeles, wander the places they love, and document this season of their story in a way that felt completely authentic to them.
So I booked a flight to California.
Looking back, I can honestly say it became one of my favorite sessions I’ve ever photographed.
A California Engagement Session in Beverly Hills
We began the evening exploring Beverly Hills before making our way to one of the most breathtaking overlooks along the California coastline.
As beautiful as the scenery was, my favorite part wasn’t the location—it was getting to know Jordyn and Max beyond wedding planning emails and timeline conversations. We wandered, talked about life and marriage, and laughed our way from one stop to the next. Jordyn has such a natural elegance, but what stood out to me even more was the way Max looks at her. Every glance reflected how deeply they care for one another. Photographing them felt effortless because nothing between them was forced. They simply enjoyed being together, and I had the privilege of documenting it.
A Little Adventure Along the Coast
If you’ve followed my work for very long, you know I rarely end a session without a little adventure. As we reached the cliffs overlooking the Pacific, I suggested we kick off our shoes and step into the water. We all underestimated just how quickly the tide was coming in. What started as getting our feet wet quickly turned into waves splashing higher and higher until we were soaked nearly to our waists.
As if that wasn’t enough, a floating log somehow drifted into us hard enough to leave a tiny scrape behind. Then, in what still feels impossible, my phone disappeared into the Pacific Ocean. Gone forever. It was certainly one of the more unforgettable endings to a California engagement session.
The Part I’ll Never Forget
Losing your phone while traveling across the country alone is overwhelming. Suddenly I wasn’t thinking about photographs anymore. I was trying to figure out how I was going to get back into my Airbnb, navigate LAX the next morning, contact my family, or even board my flight home.
What I’ll remember most from that evening, though, wasn’t losing my phone. It was Jordyn and Max. They stayed with me while we figured out my next steps. They laughed with me about how unbelievable the evening had become instead of letting me dwell on everything that had gone wrong. They insisted on taking me out to dinner afterward, offered their home if I needed somewhere to stay, and made sure I wasn’t facing everything alone. Some clients slowly become friends over the years. Sometimes, friendships begin in a single evening. By the time we said goodbye, I honestly wasn’t ready to leave California. They may have even convinced me that moving my entire family to the West Coast wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
Counting Down to Their Club at Corazon Wedding
The best part is that I don’t have to wait long before seeing them again. In just a week and a half, I’ll be photographing these two as they begin their marriage together at Club at Corazon, and I genuinely cannot wait.
If this California engagement session reminded me of anything, it’s that the best photographs come from genuine connection. Whether we’re wandering through Beverly Hills, exploring the California coastline, or celebrating a wedding day back in Ohio, my goal is always the same: to create photographs that feel like your story rather than a collection of poses.
Jordyn and Max, thank you for inviting me into your world for a few days. Thank you for saying yes to every adventure, for showing me so much kindness when the evening didn’t go according to plan, and for reminding me that sometimes the greatest gift a photography session isn’t just beautiful photographs—it’s a genuine friendship. I cannot wait to celebrate with you both at Club at Corazon so very soon.
Your wedding deserves intentional artistry. If you feel a connection to my work, I’d love to learn more about your vision and check availability for your date.
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