As socal engagement photographer s, if you ask us what makes the best engagement sessions, it’s not the location, the outfits, or the perfect sunset (though we’ll never say no to those). It’s connection. The way two people show up fully as themselves—awkward giggles, inside jokes, bear hugs and all.
That’s exactly what we got with Jeanne & Benjamin at their engagement session in Big Bear, CA.
A Campfire Meet-Cute Worthy of a Romance Anime
They met under the stars, literally—at a campfire in Rainbow Basin. Everything about that night felt easy. Comfortable. Natural. The kind of connection you don’t have to explain. By the end of the night, they’d exchanged numbers and made plans to grab dinner a few days later at Los Alazanes on 7th Street—just the two of them, just to see if the spark was real.
Spoiler: it was.
Technically, Benjamin went for the first kiss—by the pickup, under starlight. But Jeanne got shy and ran away (😂). Later, Jeanne snuck in a surprise moment of her own—placing her hand over Benjamin’s mouth and kissing the back of it before darting into her house, giggling. Benjamin says he’s still floating from that moment, and honestly? Same.
Fast forward to their socal engagement session with us, they told us they were a little nervous. First-time photo jitters are real (especially when you think you’re awkward! Don’t worry, you’re not). But their whole reason for booking the session was to have a meaningful new experience together—and to capture this exact season of their relationship, as it is, right now.
Not posed. Not polished.
Genuine. Candid. Loving.
We cranked up a playlist with a little Edward Sharpe, some King Harvest, maybe even a touch of ADTR (balance, baby) and let them settle in. They talked about farmers markets and festivals, shared their snack obsessions (Kool-Aid spritzers + bread + brookies + cheese), and fell into that quiet rhythm couples find when they know they’re safe with each other.
Why We Love These Sessions as socal engagement photographers
As socal engagement photographer , we LOVE when we get to meet couples like Jeanne & Benjamin: humble, funny, wildly in love, and ready to let us in for just a little while.
It’s not about looking perfect.
It’s about freezing time and remembering what it felt like before everything changed before marriage, before the next chapter, before life keeps moving.
Jeanne & Benjamin told us they want to remember the way they bring out each other’s inner child. The play. The laughter. The gentleness. The growth.
And now they will.
Planning your own engagement session?
Looking for a SoCal engagement photographer who’ll help you feel totally at ease? We’d love to connect.
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Hannah & Michael are a husband and wife photo & video duo based in California. We specialize in elopement and intimate weddings serving laid back, fun loving, and adventurous couples who want candid, warm and joy-filled photos.
