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Destination Yosemite Engagement

taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session

About a year ago this time, Lauren contacted me about her wedding photography. I wasn’t shocked to hear from her; after all, she’s from the same small town as I am.  However, I didn’t realize how much we had in common until we started planning hers and Will’s Yosemite engagement session!

You see, Will and Lauren are adventurers. They go skiing and snowboarding multiple times a year. They skydive. They pack up backpacks and go camping in the wilderness with friends, hike long hikes, and camp “for real” (as opposed to my version of camping, which involves a cabin, electricity, and running water). They pick up their lives in Boston and move 3,000 miles away to the west coast for a job, and that’s AFTER Lauren’s move from Newberry to Boston in the first place! I like to imagine that I’m an adventurer as well, so when Lauren told me that she and Will are living in California, I suggested we do a Yosemite engagement session, and she booked my flight and an AirBNB near Yosemite that very week!

Half Dome sunrise at Yosemite National Park engagement session in California destination wedding photography

So, at the end of September, my friend and second shooter, Mary Louise, and I packed up our things and headed to California! We met with Lauren and Will, got checked into our AirBNB, and set our alarms for 4:30am so that we would get to Glacier Point in time for sunrise. Let me tell you, that early morning wake-up call and 27 degree temperatures were TOTALLY worth it when got to watch the sun rise over Half Dome. Lauren and Will were the perfect pair for this adventure, and were just giddy with love and excitement for their session!

glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement

After a couple of hours at Glacier Point, the sun was getting high enough in the sky that we wanted to head back down towards Yosemite Valley, but as we passed snow-covered pines, I made everyone stop for some wintry photos. I mean, it’s not often that you get to experience snow in September!

Lauren and Will are a couple of hams, and they had brought along some epic sweaters gifted by Will’s grandmother…let me just say, his grandmother clearly has great taste, and these guys had my second shooter and I howling with laughter. (<—- bonus points if you caught the pun)

glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement

Obviously, this level of silliness is not typical in my sessions, but hey, nothing about this day-long Yosemite engagement was typical!

Fortunately, we had time (and gorgeous light and snow) enough to do more than just lupine photos before heading into Yosemite Valley for the remainder of the morning and afternoon.

glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement macro ring shot in the snow glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement glacier point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunrise snowy engagement

As late afternoon approached, we all changed yet again and headed back up, this time reaching our highest elevation of the day at 7,700 feet above sea level. When Lauren and I were planning their Yosemite engagement, we knew there was one spot we just had to go. I researched topographical maps, Google Earth, and sunset times to death in the months leading up to this, but I never could have imagined how much beauty (and height) were were about to witness.

The hike to Taft Point in Yosemite is about 2 miles long, and winds through a thick forest of ponderosa pines and junipers. It’s hard to really see how your elevation is changing or what might be on the other side of these fragrant trees, until you suddenly make the last turn, where you’re faced with an absolutely breathtaking view of the Fissures and El Capitan. Once here, Lauren and Will changed yet again, and we explored the craggy bluffs, enjoying the constant change of the light’s character as sunset approached.  I never knew a sunset could be so stunning. There is something magical about the way the light refracts off the mountains, then suddenly beams through the valley tunnel, as if colorful stage lights had been switched on. I can’t put it into words, but there’s no need to try. These photos speak for themselves.

taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session taft point yosemite national park engagement session destination engagement session sunset at yosemite taft point sunset

As soon as the sun disappeared over the mountains, the temperature quickly dropped, and we rushed back down the trail as quickly as possible to avoid bears. I can’t view these images without instantly recalling the rush of joy, fear, amazement, and gratitude at having been able to experience this with such a wonderful group of people. Lauren and Will, I can’t thank you two enough for letting me capture your Yosemite engagement, and for spending 36 hours with two talkative photographers! Your Smoky Mountain wedding will be amazing, and I can’t wait!

 

 

 

 

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I am SO glad we decided to detour over to Palm Spr I am SO glad we decided to detour over to Palm Springs on this work vacay. I never wanted to leave! ALLLLL the bright colors filled me with so much inspiration, and we have 3 days in San Diego next 🙌🏻 #californialove #palmsprings
When you’re just trying to pick blog post images When you’re just trying to pick blog post images but you want to share all 800 photos…I’m about to burst to share this wedding! On another note, someone remind me that my next house needs a fabulous staircase and massive windows like these at @agapaeoaksweddings 😍
Just helping my second shooter nail her settings b Just helping my second shooter nail her settings before I brought the bride down these gorgeous stairs...you know, being my usual sweet self 😊 99.9% of the photos I have of me look just like this: behind the scenes at a wedding or shoot, hair in a ponytail, apron full of film, wearing all black, and probably a little sweaty. It's not exactly the kind of photo that fits on my About page or profile pic!

I have a feeling I'm not the only entrepreneur with this problem. Since modern problems require modern solutions, I think it's time we self-employed folks started prioritizing yearly or twice-yearly updates of our products, services, and headshots! Check out my "About Face" highlights for the branding offerings I have for you! 

As for me, I'm putting my money where my mouth is, and currently packing 2 large suitcases full of way too many clothes for next week's trip to California, because I'm overdue my own branding and headshot photos, and I am excited to SHOW UP for ME the way I show up for everyone I serve. Keep an eye on my stories this weekend through next week for tons of prep, wardrobe decisions, behind the scenes setups of photoshoots with clients and ourselves, and of course, plenty of shenanigans (because two photographers on a creative trip is just about the most fun a person can have)! See you there!
Now that we’re a little more than halfway throug Now that we’re a little more than halfway through the slowest month of the year, how are your goals coming along? I’ve had some excellent discovery calls, and there are FAB branding sessions in the works! Keep an eye out for more behind the scenes from local artists and small businesses you may have never even heard of!
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About
Portfolio
Weddings
Engagements
Branding
About
Portfolio
Weddings
Engagements
Branding
Blog
Oklahoma Wedding with a Twist
Rebecca & Tristan’s Wyche Pavilion Wedding
Hailey & Wes’s Outer Banks Wedding
Reserve at Lake Keowee Wedding
The Graduate Hotel & Palmetto Club Wedding
Springtime Wedding at Westin Poinsett & Furman
Clemson Wedding Moved to Kingstree
Brunch Wedding at Cliffs at Glassy
About Face: 180 Days of Content
Blog
Oklahoma Wedding with a Twist
Rebecca & Tristan’s Wyche Pavilion Wedding
Hailey & Wes’s Outer Banks Wedding
Reserve at Lake Keowee Wedding
The Graduate Hotel & Palmetto Club Wedding
Springtime Wedding at Westin Poinsett & Furman
Clemson Wedding Moved to Kingstree
Brunch Wedding at Cliffs at Glassy
About Face: 180 Days of Content
2023 Copyrights Melissa Brewer Photography
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