I met Rachel and Kade in Cancun Mexico at my cousins destination wedding. That is a very long way from home to meet people who live less than 45 minutes from Crown Point, IN…. Crazy huh?

A year later, Rachel scheduled a basic photo session for her and Kade. Immediately…. I had a hunch that this was most likely an engagement session. Soooo…. Since I had a feel for their vibe from our time in Mexico, I knew they were going to be fun and easy going. (My kind of Peeps)

Instead of shooting the basic promotional session they booked, I wanted to do something nicer and bigger for them. After a quick phone call it turns out they were totally willing to put in more time, effort, and also able to wait a bit longer for the results. Their flexibility and willingness allowed us to create photos that were more relaxed and a video that shows the playful, tender, and casual sides of their relationship and I LOVE the result.

Kemil Beach is one the nicer Indiana Dunes beaches and its one of my favorites. The tall grass and two elevations of sand help to get shots like this one of Rachel & Kade sitting in the sand aisle.

In the video at the top of this post and in the pics below, there are a couple shots of Kade carrying Rachel on his back and I swear it shows exactly the kind a person he is and what it is like hanging around him. Easy going, trusting, happy, supportive, and won’t let you down. Rachel’s vibe literally mirrors this perfectly. These 2 are meant for each other. There is another part that shows Rachel looking at Kade and brushing her hair off behind her ear. BAMMMM!!! Right there!!! … It is the same look I noticed her giving Kade in Mexico.

Its not just a smile, its more like she was saying “I love you” but with her expression. I knew right then and there, that they would be getting married. — I called it. (Just saying) — They definitely have a sweetness to their love that will be so beautiful to watch unfold as time does its thing.

My favorite pictures are shown below… Notice how easy it is for them to laugh and be silly with each other and then flip to a tenderness in a blink of an eye.

YES… I totally prompted and guided emotions to flow naturally… Ain’t my first rodeo! I know exactly what I’m doing, but….. I have to share that it doesn’t always pour out of couples as effortlessly as it did with these two. I’m so so so happy for them.

CONGRATULATIONS Rachel & Kade on YOUR engagement and THANK YOU soooo much for letting me play this role in celebrating and announcing your engagement.