Amazing engagement session in the foggy Marin Headlands in Sausalito, California, Bay Area by Alison Yin and Adm Golub When we set out from our home in Oakland for Melissa and Donovan's engagement shoot in the Marin Headlands, the sun was shining and we had a detailed plan. We plan out our shoots so we can control the final outcome of our images, doing our best to give our couples exactly what they want. When we reached our first stop, the wind whipped across Cavallo Point and showed us what little control we had. The fog quickly hid the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline, two features Melissa and Donovan had wanted in the background of their portraits. The plan was done, but somehow it didn't seem to matter.

Melissa tossed her hair into a braid, laughed and moved on. Their love and the summer fog were better than any plan we could have ever come up with sitting at home. Adm and I played with the light and the fog, both knowing this was an opportunity too precious to pass up: a couple willing to let go and be themselves, perfect light, the perfect place and a perfect moment.

Photo below by Adm:

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This couple is pretty special to me: Jessi has been my best friend since I met her my sophomore year of college, and considering that we lived together for two years, we've got LOTS of memories. Her family pretty much adopted me while I was in North Carolina, and even though I'm in California, I still like to think I'm one of the Owensby clan. Since Jessi met Michael after I'd moved back to California, I only learned about him in our phone conversations and didn't really get to know him until they came out for a visit this past July. Michael is pretty awesome, and Adm and I had such an amazing week with them, particularly since we benefited from their cooking expertise (check out their food blog here!). I wish so much that they lived out here, and I'm doing my best to convince them to move out west! I'm so happy Jessi has found a wonderful partner in Michael and can't wait to help celebrate their relationship at their wedding next June in Asheville, North Carolina. Since I won't be photographing their wedding (bridesmaid duty calls), Adm and I did their engagement photos during their summer vacation. We headed to Crissy field and then followed up with Lombard street in San Francisco. Here are some of my favorites - enjoy!

About the above image: this is Adm's photo that he made using an old viewfinder that was given to us by his friend Allen. The viewfinder has collected lots of dust and bugs, which I think add character to the image.

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