I cannot stress how much I love photographing engagement sessions! As a photographer, it’s the perfect opportunity for me to get to know my couples while acclimating them to my shooting style and personality. As I’m doing this, we’re capturing beautiful photos of a season of life that goes by all too quickly. Since engagement sessions are also a great chance for couples to showcase their personalities, location selection is super important – I highly suggest that my couples choose a spot (or two, if it works out!) that speaks to their vibe!

Cassie and Garrett chose to have their engagement session at The Winspear Opera House in Dallas, a location that boasts beautiful texture, modern lines, and cool colors. There are so many different picturesque nooks around this area of Dallas! However, my favorite spot was their Dallas skyline location! Cassie snagged it by asking a favor of her dad who works in a building with a beautiful rooftop terrace. The sun and the view was stunning and made for a gorgeous ending to their Dallas engagement session!

In just a couple of weeks Cassie and Garrett will be tying the knot at The Orchard in Azle! I can’t wait to celebrate the both of them and so look forward to photographing the joy shared by friends and family (some of whom I know through church!). I asked Cassie and Garrett to share a little more about their love story which you read below along with some of my favorite images from their Winspear Opera House engagement session!

How did you both meet?

“We were both in the marching band at UT – Garrett played the saxophone, and I played the piccolo. During our fourth year, we both went to a music school party at a friend’s place. Garrett came up and introduced himself to me (he thought I was a first year and new to the band, which I’ve never let him live down :) ), and we talked the rest of the night! We went out with friends the next night and quickly knew that we wanted to spend a lot of time with each other. We pretty much started dating right away and have been together ever since!”

How did he propose?

“I came back to Austin to celebrate our five year anniversary. Garrett said he wanted to plan a surprise date for the entire day for us. The day started out with Kirby Lane – queso and pancakes! He had to go to work for a few hours, and I hung out at his apartment. That afternoon, we checked into one of the nicest hotels in downtown Austin – The W Hotel – and got ready for the evening. We set out walking and caught a bus, which took us to the Trail of Lights. This is an exhibit set up in Zilker Park with TONS of Christmas lights. We sipped on some hot chocolate while waiting for it to open and then walked all around and looked at all the lights. After we finished, we caught a Lyft. This was an unexpected surprise – the driver had covered the inside of her car in Christmas lights, which was a super fun addition to the evening! We took the Lyft to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, which was where we had our first date five years before. We looked at all the artwork and listened to music, and then Garrett said we had to leave to get to our dinner reservations. On the way out the door, he took a large package from the doorman. He then said we should go take a walk before dinner. We walked up a hill behind the convention center and saw a gorgeous view of the Austin skyline. While atop the hill, he told me to open the package. It was a canvas print of our friend’s house where we met! He told me to turn it over, and on the back of the frame, he had written, “From the first moment… To forever.” When I looked back at him, he was down on one knee and asked me to marry him!!! After lots of hugging and a few pictures, we headed off to dinner. When we walked in the restaurant, our parents were there, and we were able to immediately celebrate with our families!”

Tell me about the details you’re most excited about for your upcoming wedding!

Cassie: “We’ve lived apart for four and a half years now. I just can’t wait to be married and finally live, not only in the same state, but actually together! Also the big white dress!”

Garrett: “It might seem so basic, but after living in different cities for almost five years, getting to spend an entire weekend together is slightly rare. Though the ceremony and fanfare will be involved, I can’t wait to just spend the best weekend of my life (to date) with the woman I love. Plus, to be surrounded by our friends and family to celebrate the official beginning of our lives together, I can’t even put into words what it will mean.”

Do you have any tips or advice for other couples about to have engagement photos taken?

“TRUST YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER! Emily is such a professional, and she made us look and feel amazing! The first few minutes were a bit awkward, but once we all settled into it, we had so much fun! Just laugh, have a good time, and let your personality come through! Garrett and I are just generally goofy people, so although we wanted the sweet and romantic pictures, we’re much more comfortable when we’re laughing and wanted plenty of pictures of us just being silly. Emily was able to capture both!”

How was your overall session experience?

“It couldn’t have been better! We really felt so comfortable with Emily, and we can’t wait for her to capture our wedding day!”

Tell me one interesting thing about one another!

Cassie: “Garrett has the most incredible memory of anyone I know. He can drive somewhere after only going there once before, know the score of a football team (and every player and coach on that team) from 10 years ago, and so much more. Also I think he’s the only person on the planet who snaps with his ring finger, and it cracks me up.”

Garrett: “Cassie is the queen of witty one liners and puns. It’s remarkable that I’ll narrowly finish a sentence and she’s already got an adorable, roll-your-eyes-because-you-love-it quip that makes me smile. Or a dad joke that’s just too good.”