When Adrienne and Joel reached out to me about photographing their upcoming wedding this May, I almost immediately fell in love. Their genuine happiness and excitement just to be together was so clear from their initial email correspondence I received, and was simply further confirmed when I met them in person for their engagement session. I was so privileged to spend an hour and a half with them for their engagement session and found myself quickly caught up in their contagious giddiness.

Can I be nerdy for a moment? I think the best word to describe this couple is “effervescent”.” Look it up. You’re welcome. :)

Adrienne and Joel both met at USC in the accounting school when she was a junior and he was just beginning the PhD program. Adrienne tells me that one of their professors introduced them to one another, after which they later went on a date… and the rest was history! I joked with them that they will probably be eternally grateful to that professor! They dated for two years and had discussed getting married one day, but Adrienne was still caught breathless and surprised when Joel proposed right before heading out on a hike together. As he dropped to his knee and shared his heart along with everything he adored about Adrienne, Joel asked if she would spend the rest of her life with him. A new chapter in their lives began as Adrienne agreed with her heartfelt “yes”!

When I asked the couple if they had any ideas or preferences as to where they would like their engagement session to take place, Adrienne suggested Harbison State Forest. They had been on many walks and runs together in this location (they are incredible athletes, by the way!) and looked forward to bringing along their adorable doggie “Gollie”! We were able to take advantage of the lingering fall colors, which I am so happy to share with you now! Enjoy this wonderful bride and groom-to-be…and I DARE you to try not to smile as you look through these images! :)