Kaila + Andrew
A Rainy Autumn Engagement Session in Oregon’s Tillamook Forest
When many people think of “engagement photos” they may cringe a little. The thought of Pintrest and Instagram-filtered images of a couple lying on the beach perfectly styled as the waves crash around them in a sexy embrace might just be waaayyyy over the top dramatic for about 90% of the people out there, and this “typical” idea of engagement photos can understandable turn a lot of couples away from choosing that experience.
For Kaila and Andrew the above definitely was their idea of an engagement session, so it took a bit of convincing to get them to agree to try one out with me, but I promised that no part of their engagement session would feel “pintresty.”
The thing to know about Kaila and Andrew is that they LOVE adventures and being immersed in the outdoors, so I knew that an engagement session with them would feel more of an outdoorsy adventure than a rigid photoshoot.
Kaila and I bounced some ideas on location back and forth and it wasn’t until the week just before that we officially choose the exact spot in Oregon’s stunning Tillamook forest for their adventure session.
Tillamook is a special place for Kaila, as before she met Andrew she spent many afternoons enjoying the day hikes in the area and once she and Andrew met, they spent many dates strolling through the trails of Tillamook. Andrew, having moved to Oregon from Tennessee really fell for the rainforest feel of Tillamook, so planning their engagement adventure here helped ease his mind and trepidation about being in front of the camera.
Kaila and Andrew knew a fall engagement session was what they wanted, but in typical Oregon fall fashion the forecast called for pretty heavy rain showers as the day drew near. Not shying away from an adventure in the rain, I packed some clear umbrellas and Kaila was fearless in some suede heels as we trekked down to the river for some beautiful photos of Kaila and Andrew being just as cute as can be in the river canyon framed with the golden colors of autumn.
Despite their initial fears of being comfortable in front of the camera, Kaila and Andrew were actually total naturals! They also are two of the most genuine people you could ever hope to meet, so after the first five minutes of teaching them the basics of “posing” I could tell that their gallery would be filled with nothing but natural, candid-looking images.
We hiked back out of the canyon and across the highway to cross the river over a high wooden bridge. Stopping for a few close-up shots as the rain started to soak through my sweater, Kaila explained how she has a love for bridges and she and Andrew re-lived one of their first dates they spent hiking just up the road from where we were now.
In addition to the coastal forests of Oregon being a special place in Kaila and Andrew’s heart they both are in love with Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. Mount Hood was one of the first places they escaped together for a couple’s weekend getaway that ended up getting a bit extended from a surprise snowstorm that snowed them in at the Columbia Gorge Hotel.
Kaila and Andrew are planning their wedding at the Hood River Hotel next July and are looking forward to an intimate celebration where the focus will be on enjoying all their beautiful relationships they have with close family and friends.
After a steep hike down some slippery rocks to get one last set of stunning autumn scenery, we turned back uphill and made it back to the parking area for Kaila and Andrew to change into their formalwear.
If I hadn’t already been in love with these two, seeing Kaila’s dress choice would have sealed the deal, as she had the most stellar pair of sadleshoe-stitched heels paired with a 50s style dress complete with corset backing and petticoat to compliment her slender figure. Andrew’s stunning black curls and deep brown eyes popped against a fitted jacket over a pastel button-up shirt.
Challenging their adventurous spirits I had them head up a steep and muddy path toward a mini-waterfall across the highway that had just the right amount of natural light filtering in past the overcast skies.
Kaila and Andrew brought along a lovely bottle of red wine, the same type that they would be featuring at their wedding and the same they planned to set aside for a celebratory anniversary bottle in the future.
uncorking it and pouring a swish into a set of glasses, Andrew and Kaila enjoyed a small glass each while the rain pattered down on their umbrellas and the waterfall fell just to their left, splashing over some rocks before falling into the little creek that gives Bridge Creek Falls its name.
Just before wrapping up for the evening, I set Kaila and Andrew one last challenge. Carefully walking along an old stone structure at the base of the falls, we tossed aside the umbrellas and let the rain just come pouring down. As Andrew pulled Kaila in for an epic kiss, I couldn’t help but think that this was one of my all-time favorite engagement adventures yet.
I can’t wait for Kaila and Andrew’s wedding next summer, and feel very lucky they trusted me to document their engagement.
Check out some images from Kaila and Andrew’s gorgeous fall Engagement Session below and be sure to leave a comment of congrats for them in the section below the photos!
