I always love doing engagement sessions because during this time, I not only get to photograph them and have some fun, but I get to learn so much about my wonderful clients and see how they are around one another! Not too long ago, I had the amazing opportunity to photograph my dear friends Priscilla & Chris for the second time for their official engagement session! You might recognize this beautiful couple from their proposal that I was blessed to be able to witness and photograph (You can check it out & read about their love even more here)!

I met the this lovely couple through John, who had met Priscilla through our college Christian Fellowship, AACF. Chris & Priscilla (“Chriscilla”) are two beautiful people. I feel like they have a quiet love for one another, one that is visible & evident, but you can’t tell how truly sweet it is until you get to know them and talk to them about it. I was blessed to be able to talk to them formally about not one, but two times through interviews (though I am privileged and I get to talk to Priscilla quite often and learn other things about them as well)!

For example, I can still remember the cutest thing I heard Priscilla say about Chris… it was during the engagement party (which you can also read about here). She was naming off three things she loved about Chris, and she stated, “He’s always encouraging. Not just to me but to others, too. He’s kinda ghetto. Keeps things real and makes me laugh when he tries to rap. He’s a friend I’d want to have forever…” At that last line, I remember all of us (at least the ladies present) squealed and teared at how sweet it was to hear Priscilla say that about Chris.

The day of the engagement session was really nice out! John & I scouted out Old Town Pasadena to figure out some places to go to after 21 Choices, which was Priscilla & Chris’s first choice! They wanted part of their shoot there because it was where they went on their first date! I love when I get to do shoots that have personal meaning hidden in things like locations, and props! It makes things so much more meaningful to the couple! The sun was out and there was a breeze–it was a great day! :)

We started the shoot off in Arcadia at the Arcadia Arboretum. Boy, was it beautiful there! Here’s a little snapshot of all the beautiful peacocks we saw roaming the lands!

 

 

 

Alongside of the cuteness Priscilla shared about what she loved about Chris during the engagement party, Chris also shared what he loved about Priscilla. “She’s musical and supportive and caring about me.” I think you can see this care they have one another when you’re around them as a couple. It’s really sweet. :)

 

 

 

 

Priscilla looked so cute in her outfit! The blue of her shirt really stood out well with all the greenery around us! And who doesn’t love her gold glittery heels? So much love! Chris did a great job dressing himself, as well! Such a good looking couple! ;)

 

 

Relationships aren’t always easy. At times there can be either internal problems between the two in the relationship, or external problems through things we face in life. To Chris, Philippians 4:6 has been a key verse in the Bible that has helped him a lot through their relationship. “…its told us not to be anxious but to trust the worries we have to God in thankful prayer. There have been a couple of things that have made us anxious, but i think the anxiety grows our faith in God when we entrust those things to Him.” I love this response so much and I can see through it how much they have depended on God through the tough times (and good times). :)

 

 

 

 

 

I had asked Priscilla if there was a particular Bible verse that has been helpful to her in their relationship and she shared with me a verse that they had gone over in pre-marital counseling!

“We recently went through Ephesians 5 during pre-marital counseling. Ephesians 5:33 says “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” God gives different commands for the husband and for the wife, showing that He knows exactly what we need as men and women. Men need that respect and women need to feel special and loved. This verse really taught me to think about what that respect means and how I need to try and show Chris that daily.”

What a great thing to think about & remember! It’s humbling to remember that relationships aren’t just about receiving something out of it, but they’re constantly about putting the other person before yourself, out of love–to love selflessly by putting their needs before your own. When marriage comes and the two become one, showing that love and respect is truly a necessary to help continue to grow and nurture the relationship!

 

 

 

 

At the beginning of the shoot, everyone feels just a little nervous, but it’s so awesome to see how couples, while feeling nervous in front of the camera, can still feel, and appear to be so comfortable with one another! Chris & Priscilla’s interactions with one another were so sweet–subtle, but sweet! You could see that they loved each other by how they held hands and how they talked with one another during the shoot.

One of the first times Chris really saw how much he cared and appreciated for Pris was a time where he saw how much she cared about him.”One time I almost died (not really) and I remember her being so worried that it made me think, “Wow, she’s really concerned about me!”” Her concern for him helped him feel how much she cared about him & in turn it made him really see how much he appreciated her and loved having her in his life! :)

Priscilla filled me in on his near death experience, and it’s truly a pretty scary incident. Chris had eaten seafood one night before he went to play basketball, and it was a night Priscilla drove all the way down from NorCal to see him play (What a good girlfriend! They had been dating for 6 months at this time)! While he was playing he suddenly sat down and wasn’t feeling well. His face had started to swell and he had a rash, and as she walked him to his car to get him some help, he lost some of his sight and ability to walk. For quite some time he sat outside of the hospital because he wasn’t able to get himself up to go in.  Priscilla said it was one of the scariest nights of her life because of how severe Chris’ symptoms were. She was terrified that she was going to lose him. Thankfully, after getting some help from other church members that were playing basketball, and getting admitted into the hospital, he was okay. It was definitely a crazy night for Priscilla. :(

 

 

 

I asked Priscilla about the first time she ever truly felt the love she had for Chris. She told me about a time he went out of his way to help her out.

“My sister was flying in from LAX and I was too scared of driving there and picking her up by myself. Chris offered to pick her up and he even took some time off work. As we headed there and maneuvered around the worst airport ever, I thought hey, he is husband material. “

This act of service that he did for her, sacrificing some work time to help her pick up her sister, truly gave Pris some insight in his care for her, and in turn helped her realize her love for him. :)

 

 

 

As I mentioned, Chriscilla had their first date at 21 Choices after they had some awesome food from various food trucks. With some encouragement from Priscilla, Chris and Priscilla went on their first date! “I made it easy for him! I knew he wanted to hang out so I mentioned that I heard of a weekly food truck thing near his house. And then he said “Oh, I should check it out.” And I said, “Yea, let’s do it!” I set that up for him. The rest of the night was in his hands.”

If you read the proposal story (check it out here), you read that Chris won immediate brownie points by being a gentleman, and for DTRing shortly after their first date! Chris was a gentleman and clear about his intentions as well! It was cute being able to come back to this place where their story somewhat began as a couple! It was also amazing to check this place out, because we got little treats while we were there! ;)

 

 

 

 

The workers at 21 Choices were extremely friendly and helpful! I would be, too, if I got to sell this tasty treat! It was a pretty packed day and Chriscilla said it normally is just as packed every day! They ordered themselves a strawberry Nutella frozen yogurt to share, and even treated me and John to one of John’s favorite flavors–it had animal cookies in it! The workers even gave us one for free because they accidentally messed up our order!

 

 

 

 

I love hearing how my clients’ relationship works out–what makes them fit so well together! Priscilla also shared with me how their relationship “worked”.

“I tend to stress and get anxious about too many things but he always reminds me of the bigger picture and the importance of having faith. He’s sometimes too critical of himself and I think I’m good at encouraging him and cheering him on. He also has no shame in front of me but his strangeness makes me laugh.”

It’s so great to see how in their own weaknesses, they are able to encourage and support each other, and spur one another towards Christ. It’s a beautiful picture of a relationship! And it’s always awesome when you can be yourself around the other person and enjoy each other’s company! I think we’re all a little strange from time to time, and it’s great when you find someone who can accept it and laugh along with you in it! :)

 

 

 

 

Chris & Priscilla are a “normal” couple. They love spending time with each other, watching shows on Netflix, going to the movies, trying out new foods and “running so that [they] can explore new foods”, and of course, they enjoy listening to Justin Timberlake together–who doesn’t enjoy some of JT and his musical-ness? But what I found interesting and fun was Chris’s love for Nike Jordans! 

“I do like shoes. I guess in some ways its like a collection, like basketball cards or comic books, except you can wear them. One of my favorite pairs of all time are the Jordan 1 Royals that are in the engagement shoot.”

These beautiful blue Jordans are actually the very pair he’s talking about! :) I love that he got a matching pair for Priscilla, too!

 

 

 

 

Now how does Pris feel about this hobby?

“As his future wife, I know I need to support his interests. I will wake up early to go online or refresh websites for hours if I know it’s a shoe he really wants. This helps bring us closer together -.-  (I’m like half serious/half sarcastic in this answer haha)”

 

 

 

 

 

After 21 Choices and the areas around it, we headed to Old Town Pasadena City Hall! I absolutely love these silhouettes of Chris & Priscilla! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think it’s beautiful getting to see what couples do for one another out of love and how the other feels about it! As I’ve learned through some relationship books, these tokens of love help keep marriages strong. :) Chris & Priscilla shared with me two things their significant other does for them that they truly appreciate and feel loved by.

“I appreciate her always wanting to cook when she knows I’ve had work all day, and I also appreciate that she cares about how serving at my church youth group is going. She’s always asking how things are going and asking how she can pray for us.” – Chris

“He usually drives because I don’t like to and because I’m terrible with directions. I also like that he scoops out the ice cream because I’m not strong enough to scoop it and too impatient to wait for it to soften.” – Priscilla

 

 

 

 

Chris brought along his guitar on this shoot! If you didn’t know, Priscilla has an amazing voice and Chris can play the guitar wonderfully! They’re a beautiful match for each other! ;)

 

 

 

 

Priscilla also knows how to play the guitar! :)

 

 

 

 

Chris & Priscilla met through serving together on a worship team, so I asked how being able to share in this gift has helped their relationship. Chris shared that “It’s a blessing to be able to serve together. Just being able to relate to each other and have music in common is pretty cool.” Priscilla’s answer was pretty similar as well:

“Serving on worship teams is how we met and how we got to know each other. Sharing that from the very beginning made worship a strong foundation for us in our relationship. Even now, we still serve together and it makes me excited to know that I am marrying a man who truly loves to praise God. He’s also pretty good which doesn’t hurt.” 

Their relationship & commonality of being able to lead worship reminds me of Joshua 24:15, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” It was so sweet to hear them play and sing to each other–even though during the session they would only sing the ABCs to me! ;) I can’t wait for their children to come out and be amazingly gifted in music! :)

 

 

 

 

As I’ve gotten to know Priscilla more and more, and hear about her & Chris’ relationship through casual conversations, I am always so blessed to see how evident their care for one another is. I am so excited for their wedding and for them to become one! Their love is so sweet and pure, & I can see how they each rely on the Lord and how Christ-centered their relationship truly is. :) I am so happy for this lovely couple!!

 

 

 

 

From time to time, Priscilla and I talk about weddings and how her wedding planning is going (Okay, so it’s really quite often that we talk about it! haha). When I asked her about any advice she has to give to other wedding planning brides, I couldn’t help but laugh!

“Elope! Pray for peace and patience from God daily! Remember that it’s about the commitment that you are making to the other person and not if the tablecloths should be white or ivory. Or that you have to invite a cousin you haven’t seen for 20 years.”

This is a year of weddings for my friends, and I’ve seen how stressful it can get for each of them, which is why I laugh at the beginning of her answer! But truly, as Priscilla said, weddings are beautiful and decorations and all the planning may be fun and exhausting, but never let the external things of a wedding distract you from the real meaning behind it–it’s the day that you and your fiancé become one, joined together in marriage! :)

Now to share some behind the scene bloopers to end the post! ;)

 

 

 

 

There are now 6 months left before they’re MARRIED!! It’s so insane to think about! Priscilla told me how she’s feeling about it all!

“I feel that time is going by really quickly. I’m reminding myself to enjoy the engagement and to enjoy having a bed to myself before I have to live with a guy forever. I’m looking forward to celebrating with our friends and family, dancing, eating desserts, and not having to work on our guest list ever again. And I’m excited to become Mrs. Chris Dea.”

 

Happy Friday everyone! :)