Morgan and Chris’ spring engagement session with Milou + Olin Photography was especially meaningful because Morgan is part of the Milou + Olin family and because she took extra care to make sure the shoot was a reflection of her groom. They spent the day at the picturesque Devine Ranch, surrounded by gorgeous scenery and horses!
A spring ranch engagement session in Santa Cruz, CA
I wanted to give my fiancee Chris an engagement session that was very much a reflection of him, since our wedding is definitely my personal style. Chris grew up in the small town of Atascadero, in central California, surrounded by lots of land, agriculture, and wide open spaces. Caroline (of Milou + Olin) knew about Devine Ranch, nestled in the gorgeous Santa Cruz hills, and on the one spring weekend without inclement weather, we all trooped up there for an amazing shoot. The ranch itself has multiple beautiful buildings, and lots of trails to explore. It was a beautiful backdrop for our engagement session.
We met when we were both freshmen in college, he was the editor of the school newspaper, and I had a roommate who worked with him. I picked up my roommate one day from class and ran in to Chris, who was deep in thought working on the layout for the next deadline. He invited my roommate and I to a party at his house the next weekend (the only party he’s ever thrown!) where we fell easily into conversation and became immediately inseparable. For the next six months we explored the central coast as best friends, camping on the beach, partying with friends, and taking classes together. We eventually became “official,” but labels never really mattered. We finished up junior college, traveled to CSU Sacramento and graduated – he in journalism with a photo minor, and me in photography – after logging a lot of time in the darkroom lab.
After seven years of being together, I started to think he didn’t believe in the institution of marriage. Not being a pushy person myself, I put the thought out of my head and continued to love my job at Milou + Olin and my happy life with Chris. He surprised me with a wonderfully romantic dinner at Firehouse Restaurant – one of the historically classy Sacramento dining spots – on Valentine’s Day. After an amazing meal, we walked out on to the docks near the Sacramento River and he distracted me while pulling a ring out of his pocket. I was more surprised that he could keep a secret than I was he was proposing! Our families were overjoyed that they could finally have a giant party to celebrate! – Morgan
Artists
- Photographer: Milou + Olin Photography
- Makeup Artist: Blush Bar
- Event Venue: Devine Ranch
