Orange County Engagement Photographer

Being an engagement photographer in Orange County, we have shot many engagement sessions at a wide variety of locations. One of the reasons we encourage these particular types of photo shoots it gives the couple an opportunity to be more at ease with one another, as well as with the photographer, prior to the actual wedding day. It’s a time for them just to relax, be in love, to be in the moment with each other and to get used to being in front of a camera. An engagement photo session allows the couple to really put their love for one another on display and this love was evident in our recent engagement session with Nadya and Fernando at Table Rock Beach.

Located in Laguna Beach, Table Rock is one of our favorite beach locations in Orange County. We love what it brings to your photographs as it has plenty of amazing, natural backdrops. Table Rock Beach offers many coves that we can incorporate into your shoot, as well as all the rock formations, especially the large rock right in the middle of the beach. If we time it right, we can catch waves crashing up against the rock while you’re standing on it. And of course, if we can capture the beauty of a sunset hitting the waters at just the right angle, your photos are sure to pop with beauty. This beach is a bit hidden compared to the larger beaches and although people do come to visit the area, it is usually not enough to hinder your session or be in the background of your photos.

This engagement session had a little more unique story to it. Although Nadya is originally from Southern California, they both currently live in the Orlando, Florida area and flew into town for their engagement photo session. Since they were coming to Southern California to celebrate their engagement with Nadya’s family, they decided to do the session here instead of Florida.

In some ways, the planning of the session was so 2020. Not only is there a pandemic going on, but much of California was on fire at the time of their scheduled session. As of a couple days prior to arriving here in Orange County, much of the sky was dark, smokey and had darker orange tints to it. This was obviously a big concern to them as they didn’t want that to affect their photos. Therefore, since we still had a couple of days prior to their arrival, it was decided to see how things were and then make some decisions after they arrived before going to Plan B. On the day of the session, there was some overcast and a light orange tint lingering, but the sky along the coast was clear enough to get some really nice photos.

You know it’s meant to be when you meet someone online, and it turns out that you’re both in the same industry. Fernando is an air traffic controller and Nadya is a flight attendant. I guess you could say the skies the limit for these two. Nadya and Fernando plan to marry in September of 2021 in Puerta Vallarta.

All of the details of this engagement session at this beach engagement location was captured by the team at Three16 Photography. We would really like to thank Nadya and Fernando for allowing us to be part of this special photo session. We wish you many years of love and happiness.

Check out their love story. We hope you enjoy it, and their photos, as much as we do.

Nadya and Fernando’s Love Story

How & When did you first meet? Describe your thoughts and how you felt about each other, and tell us, was it love at first sight?

We met through a dating app, “Bumble”, in Orlando, FL. I was getting off of a 10-hour work shift. She just landed and was getting off a transcontinental flight from LA. We had great convo on the app, exchanged numbers and Facetimed a little later.

I was so tired from work but after Facetiming her and seeing her beautiful face and great convo, I had to meet her. So, I downed a monster energy drink and we met later that evening at the Orlando Eye. BEST DECISION I’VE EVER MADE! She has been my best friend and confidante ever since.

What do you both do for work?

Groom: Air Traffic Controller
Bride: Flight Attendant

GROOM: What was it that made you first start liking your bride-to-be?

Her relaxed carefree attitude about life and her smile!

Tell us about your first date. What was going through your mind, where did you go and what did you do?

See above comments about how we first met.

To add to that:  We met at the Orlando Eye and had “Skinny Margaritas.” First time I’ve ever even heard of a Skinny Margarita. We were both so into being healthy that we didn’t even touch the chips and salsa. We had a great time just talking for hours. We connected on a level that was beyond the physical and I met her the next day at her gate to dispatch her back to LA.

What makes your relationship special? Tell us some things that you both value in your time together and what makes your relationship unique?

What makes our relationship special? Nadya makes it special. She is so giving and caring in every way. From helping me home school my son to packing my lunches to listening and offering advice. She is truly my best friend.

What makes it unique? We just relate and respect each other. When we disagree, we are able to communicate effectively and reach a happy medium. Our communication is effortless and our bond just gets stronger every day.

We both enjoy the same things such as hiking, going to the gym, good food, traveling, and our pup.

Tell us about your proposal story! How and Where did it all unfold? And tell us, who cried first?

I had been saving and working soooooo many hours of overtime to afford a perfect ring for her. Once I saved enough, COVID-19 happened and the jeweler that I ordered the ring through (was based in NYC) shut down!

It took about two and a half months to finally get the ring. I asked her while we were walking our puppy that we rescued next to one of the beautiful lakes in the neighborhood. We both cried, I stumbled on my words, but it was great! On the way back home, Nutella, our puppy, decided she had enough walking and I had to carry her on my shoulders half the way home. 🙂

What is one piece of advice you have for couples just beginning the wedding planning process? And what have you enjoyed most about planning your wedding?

We are enjoying bouncing ideas off each other and making it fun! Also, we traveled to Puerto Vallarta and made a little get away from getting to know our wedding venue, which was super fun!

Anything else you want to add?

I love you Nadya!