Discovery Park Beach Engagement || Seattle, WA || Rhonda + Corey
Rhonda and Corey traveled all the way from San Antonio, TX to the Pacific Northwest to have their engagement photos taken while visiting friends in Seattle. Unlike most engagement sessions, though, they were actually getting engaged during their session. This wasn’t a proposal, either. They had planned their engagement together, and wanted to exchange rings with one another on a beach in Seattle to make it “official”. It was a decision that they made after careful consideration.
When we first started discussing their vision for the session, Rhonda tried to tell me that they weren’t approaching this decision like “two kids in love and all the magic that comes with it”, but it’s hard to not see the magic in their story anyway.
They worked together at a church, but it wasn’t until they were both healing from the ending of their respective marriages that they really got to know one another. Both Rhonda and Corey mentioned several times that they had worked extremely hard to get to where they are, individually and together, before falling in love, and since. Between them, they have five kids from their previous marriages, and entering into this new life together was not a decision that they made lightly. However, Rhonda said their paths crossed at the right time; she had declared she was done with dating for 2018, and he was recently divorced. She was taking time to focus on herself, and he was recovering from deep heartache. Since neither of them were seeking relationships, they were able be themselves without the need to impress, without pressure or expectations. The similarity of their circumstances also meant that there was an understanding, and a shared story, between them. Things came easy and, despite their best efforts, they developed a companionship that was rooted in friendship, trust, compassion, and understanding.
Before we even met for the first time, she told me “It’s really been such a beautiful, natural thing. We just make each other better. We give each other space, we champion one another, we don’t complete each other, but are equal partners.” There’s a special kind of magic in a story like that. It’s the kind that grows and gains strength year after year. The most wonderful kind of love is sometimes the love you never expected to receive. The kind of love that takes you by storm, but stays grounded in reason and thoughtfulness at the same time.
“I am whole all by myself. He is whole all on his own. We are equal partners. I don’t find my joy in him, and he doesn’t complete me... but man life is WAY better together than not. We make each other better, it’s easy.
We’ll be cheering each other on till death do us part.
What a life...”
For our shoot, they wanted to stay near Seattle, so we adventured through Discovery Park. Along the road, through open fields and woods, all the way to the beach, stopping along the way to enjoy each location. It was so easy to see the love and connection that they share, as they held and kissed each other, and helped each other along. We talked the whole way, about their story, their families, and their love for travel. When we reached the beach, Corey changed into a suit, and Rhonda changed into a gorgeous flowing red dress, where we ended the night with wine and cigars. Watching them exchange their rings was powerful, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for the future. Cheers to the adventure ahead, you two.
If you’re in love with Rhonda’s red dress and want some inspiration for your own session, I would recommend checking out Lulu’s. To see more engagement inspiration, check out my portfolio.