MOUNT TAMALPAIS ENGAGEMENT PORTRAIT SESSION: R+U
To say I am happy for R and U ( for client's discretion) who are getting married in a few days is an understatement. I met R at the same time when I met my love and father of my two boys, George. It was a hot summer wedding in Clearwater Beach, FL, six years ago . George played the bagpipe, R was the lead singer, and I was the photographer. Who would’ve thought that one day our lives would continue to cross time and again. When I first heard her singing, she captivated me with her colorful voice. She is one of the most beautiful, multi talented person I know with a lively smile.
Ever since, R would appear in my life and disappear around the world following her dream to become a healer. She volunteered in many humanitarian missions, when she was in dental school. When I was in my last days of pregnancy with my first son, she came in September to do a headshot portrait she needed for a residency application.
We met again in September two years later, when she came to my house for my son’s 2nd birthday party. It was just before she traveled to Jamaica again to volunteer as a dentist there.
Well, by life’s serendipity all the occasions are happening in September .. she even got engaged in September last year and now she is getting married in September!
When things are meant to happen they happen even with online dating. This is how it all started, as R and U describe: ...”with a picture R had taken in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It happened so that Ulf saw the picture and recognized the place which he had just gotten back from. Over the next few conversations they discovered they have similar views about the world and passions about community, family, dentistry, adventure and food. It was a miracle that their first date actually happened. Growing up in Switzerland, U showed up right on time. Growing up in Bulgaria, R also showed up right on time - about 45 min late. Regardless of the few roadblocks on the way, she drove down to meet U and was pleasantly surprised that he was still there, true to his word, with a smile on his face. Although they met just for drinks, Ulf was impressed that Radka can devour a cheeseburger and fries in record time. "Finally a girl that can eat," is all he said. “
Then followed a year of dating, full of amazing adventures, going places, hiking, skiing, and traveling. “On a beautiful sunny day, R and U went on a mountain bike ride up Mount Tamalpais. They stopped for a picnic to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Little that she knew, U had it all planned out. He knew that R loves Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs. To her surprise, rather than a toy she found The Ring...she agreed on wearing forever.”
I met U for the first time when R asked me to do their engagement photo session. I was impressed by U’s personality and really flattered by their decision to pick me as the photographer.
We chose couple of locations for the engagement session: Muir Beach and Mt. Tamalpais.
Mt. Tam was the place where U proposed R, so it was very special place for them. We went there around sunset and it was mesmerizing , the fog was just showing and created a sea of puffy clouds in the horizon.
We even found by chance a picnic bench and table where we were able to capture a lovely “ end of day and week” moment with a glass of red wine and cherries. It was more than beautiful and so romantic.
