Confidence Gets The Girl
So young and full of excitement. That’s exactly how I would describe Natalie and Phil while we shot their engagement photography session down in Laguna Canyon and Laguna Beach in Orange County. As a wedding photographer, I love shooting the couple’s engagement photos to get a real sense of the two before shooting their wedding. Natalie and Phil’s wedding will be in Whittier, California.
Natalie and Phil’s engagement session was shot around sunset, which made for a beautiful backdrop. They were very playful and laughed with each other through much of the photo session, which always brings a smile to my face seeing two people in love the way Natalie and Phil appeared that day.
Natalie and Phil’s Love Story
Natalie’s Perspective….
Q: What do you do for work? What do you enjoy most about it?
A: I work as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant for a school district and private practice. I enjoy working with children and watching them progress in therapy. Seeing a smile on their face when you give them verbal praise for trying hard to reach their speech goals is worth gold.
Q: How did you first meet Phil? Describe to us your thoughts upon first meeting him… was he goofy, weird, prince charming, etc.
A: I met Phil for the first time outside of a club called Republic in Hollywood. My girlfriends and I were just about to leave when suddenly I look back, and my friend who had too much to drink started to stumble down the stairs. The guy that helped her down the stairs was Phil’s friend. Once we were outside, Phil spotted me. That’s when he came towards me and started to talk to me. I will always remember how much he was smiling, which definitely caught my attention. After talking with him for a few minutes, I decided to take a chance and give him my number. He was very charming and confident that day and that has not changed ever since.
Q: What is something that you find totally cute about Phil?
A: I think that it is very adorable that every night before I go to bed, Phil comes with me even though he is not ready to go to sleep to tuck me in bed and kisses me good night.
Q: What’s the proposal story? How did it all unfold and were you surprised?
A: That morning he took me to the mall and bought me a new pair of shoes and a dress that he said he had promised me for my birthday. He said that we were going to one of his family member’s 80th birthday celebrations and that everyone was dressing up. When we got to the door he told me to trust him and that he loved me very much. I then started to follow him holding his hand and walking very cautiously since I was wearing new heels and blindfolded. As we walked through a door I could hear a lot of people talking and flashes coming from every direction. When he told me to take off the blindfold he was already down on one knee with a gorgeous ring. I was so stunned, the only thing I remember him saying is, “I love you, baby, will you marry me?”
Q: As you plan your wedding, what has this experience been like? What’s your advice to others as they plan their wedding?
A: We have had a pretty smooth process in planning the wedding. It can be stressful, but the minute I start to stress out, Phil always finds a way to make me laugh. My advice to others is not to let the little things stress you out because, at the end of the day, it’s all about you and your future together as husband and wife.
Q: If Phil were an animal, what would he be and why?
A: He would be a bear because he is strong, confident, and doesn’t like being cold so his fur would keep him warm.
Phil’s Perspective….
Q: What do you do for work? What do you enjoy most about it?
A: I work for News America Marketing as a field representative. I enjoy working from my company computer.
Q: Describe Natalie in one word and why did you choose that word?
A: Determined. She works hard for what she wants.
Q: Tell us about your first date. What did you do and were you nervous?
A: We went to the movies. While there I asked her to go into the photo booth. We still have those pictures. I wasn’t too nervous about the date. It went pretty smoothly.
Q: Was Natalie surprised when you proposed and why did you choose to propose the way you did?
A: She was surprised because she had been waiting a while for that day. I proposed that way because I wanted her big day to be fun and memorable.
Q: Looking towards the future, what do you most look forward to doing with Natalie?
A: I look forward to hopefully living a happy, healthy, and fun life together.
Q: What is something unique, quirky, or special about Natalie that you’d come to admire?
A: I admire her work ethic when it comes to her two jobs.
Check out more of our Laguna Beach engagement photography sessions here and here!
