Danielle + Jonathan's Mission Bay Engagement

D anielle and Jonathan’s love story begins with “a cute guy walks into a bar…” 🙂 But, it’s a far cry from a typical first meeting. Danielle and her family and friends are celebrating her cousin’s birthday. They were all gathered at her Uncle’s bar on a brisk November night. Danielle, who is sitting across the room with her mom immediately notices the cute guy and says aloud, “Who’s that?!” Danielle’s cousin introduces Jonathan to Danielle. It turns out that Jonathan and her cousin went to the same high school, played hockey together, and have been friends for years. Danielle and Jonathan spent the evening getting to know each other, and it simply felt right.

Three years later, the lovely couple are fulfilling a yearly tradition, with a trip to the Kern River. It’s a very special place to Danielle and her family because it was a family tradition to camp, fish, and enjoy summer days at this beautiful location. In fact, Danielle’s parents used to camp at the Kern when they were in their teens and twenties! It was also where Danielle and her family scattered her late father’s ashes ten years ago.

On a beautiful October morning, Jonathan and Danielle were up with the sunrise. Jonathan took Danielle to go fishing at her dad’s favorite fishing spot. Little did Danielle know, Jonathan had asked her mom’s blessing for her hand in marriage well before the proposal. Her entire family knew that something beautiful was about to happen…

Jonathan cast his line. The two of them sat on the shore of the Kern river–possibly where Danielle’s parents used to sit together when they were their age. With so much love in his eyes, Jonathan asked Danielle to be his wife. He told Danielle that he wanted to grow old with her, and officially be part of her family. A tearful and resounding, “yes!” came from Danielle, and her family and friends had bottles of champagne waiting for them when they returned.

The beautiful couple are engaged to be married and I’m excited to share a few favorite photos from their engagement session at Mission Bay in San Diego, California. In warm, sunny summer days (which arguably is year-round in San Diego), you will find Danielle and Jonathan at Mission Bay.

Danielle loves how thoughtful, patient, and optimistic, her fiance is. “Jonathan also always knows when to pour the wine!” 🙂

Jonathan finds Danielle’s bright, loving, and helpful personality so attractive. Danielle seals the deal by stealing his heart through his stomach because he also loves her cooking!

It was a perfect afternoon at Mission Bay in San Diego. The beach was peaceful on a fall day. The sweet couple took their bike cruisers out for a spin, and took a pitstop at the beach. They enjoyed the lightshow on the bay as the sun set.

The sunset was breathtaking that evening!

Danielle and Jonathan, I hope that you enjoyed our engagement session! I’m happy to be your engagement and wedding photographer and I can’t wait to photograph your wedding day!

Family and friends, please feel free to leave a comment below to congratulate the happy couple!

xoxo,

Engagement Photographer: Kristine Marie Photography

Hair and Makeup: Lindsay Gonzales; Lindsay Ann Makeup