ZAIDA + PAUL
I had a fun time with this beautiful couple during their engagement session at Canyon Lake in east Mesa. The two are getting married on Valentine's Day in just a couple of months! So not only was the lake itself a beauty with the spectacular Arizona sunset painting the canyon walls, but the weather was amazing as well! It was an ideal time to be out and it definitely made for an adventure filled day - especially after I fell in the water towards the end and almost dropped my camera in!
Zaida and Paul offered to carpool which I thought was a great opportunity for us all to get to know each other before their wedding so I happily accepted. Although the ride from Phoenix/Mesa towards the lake isn't for everyone because of it's curvy roads leading up to the lake, it's makes for a beautiful scenic drive. Unfortunately the tight curves got to me and I started feeling sick about half way there and also on the way back afterwards, but thankfully Paul and Zaida had been before so they were prepared! Paul handed me a Ricola cough drop and within minutes I was feeling so much better!
Being in front of camera is always a really intimidating experience, and I could tell that there were a bit of nerves going on at the start. But once we got more into the session, started playing some posing games, and got Zaida and Paul laughing, they instantly became pros! These two really crushed their engagement session! They were also super nice and easy to chat with!
THE PROPOSAL
Although Paul and Zaida have been together for 12 years and they share a beautiful daughter together, Andi, Paul's marriage proposal to Zaida was completely unexpected to her. It was very casual and random; Paul brought Zaida into a jewelry store and he asked her to pick her ring. Wow! Not many of us ladies get that opportunity! Zaida describes Paul as a not-so romantic person but when he does something to show his love for her, it's on a different level and he prefers to do it very privately. Intimate moments are very romantic in my opinion! We all know wedding planning can be stressful, so I asked Zaida and Paul what their advice for future couples planning their wedding is and I loved their answer! They said:
"Be patient and learn to compromise. Love and respect should always [be]
the foundation and put God the center of every relationship."
TO ZAIDA + PAUL:
I really enjoyed photographing your session at Canyon Lake, and I am so excited to do it all over again for your wedding in a couple months. I have no doubts that day is going to be beautiful and I'm so happy for you two! Thank you again for trusting me with these photos and I can’t wait to show you the rest; but until then, I hope you enjoy some of my favorites from your engagement session!
