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San Luis Obispo Wedding Photographer

A Catalina Island Engagement Session

Engagement session on top of hill overlooking Avalon by Catalina Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography

These two love birds were on board with a crazy idea I had. With their destination wedding happening nestled up against a mountainside at Della Terra Mountain Chateau in stunning Estes Park, Colorado—I wouldn’t be surprised one bit that they would be down with doing a destination engagement shoot too.

We had a family trip planned on Catalina and ended up staying an extra night to show Brett and Jesse one of our absolute favorite places. I think Avalon is my favorite backdrop to photograph couples. The mountains in the background, the bay full of color and life, and the Casino standing oh so stately in the background—it’s a dream location with so much diversity in such a tiny lil town.

Jesse and Brett were one of the beautiful things that came about in spite of the pandemic, and I’m so immensely happy they found one another. I know I walk into couples’ lives after they have already been living and growing their relationships, without me knowing what life was like before they decided to wed—but getting to know and witnessing Jesse and Brett together, they are perfectly pieced together, it’s as if they always have been.

Another sweet aspect of their Catalina engagement session is Brett requested I shoot some on film. Almost 20 years ago I had to buy my first medium format film camera (a Mamiya 645) and learn to shoot slide film on it for school (goodness… I can’t believe that was that long ago). Halfway through college, the commercial photography industry shifted and I was required to get a digital camera. While I have stuck with digital for the last decade and a half, I have pulled out and lugged around a collection of film cameras here and there to document our own personal adventures. Having a client request film was exciting and new, and really felt like such an honor to be given an additional level of trust and respect, as if saying “we want you to play and create.” Film for me is an act of artistic exploration. The texture, tones and process feel like making music—it’s what I create when I’m not at work. Being asked to welcome that part in to serve a couple is something special.

Brett + Jesse, Brian and I adore the two of you and are so stinkin’ grateful you were up for the adventure! I can’t wait for next year! And if your Catalina engagement session is any indication of what your Della Terra Mountain Chateau wedding is gonna be, it won’t be anything short of epic, and oh so beautiful.

Couple embracing and bride smiling in front of Catalina's Casino by Catalina Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Engaged couple walking on the break water in Avalon bay by Catalina Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Bride and groom kissing while on the break water with the Casino in the background by Catalina Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Bride and groom in hip teal and macramé tops by Catalina Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Bride and groom embracing while next to a eucalyptus tree overlooking the small town of Avalon by Catalina Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
The 	Catalina casino movie theater during sunset overlooking Avalon Bay by Catalina Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
A destination engagement shoot with laughter and smiles by Avalon Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Couple hold each other close as they view Catalina's iconic Casino in the background by Avalon Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Couple dance and kiss outside of Catalina's historic casino by Avalon Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Couple holding hands and they walk along the rocks on the break water in Avalon by Avalon Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Details of hands wrapped around fiance on Mamiya 645 Medium Format film by Avalon Engagement Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Bride and groom holding each other while standing on the breakwater with Avalon full of boats in the background by Avalon Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Bride and groom kiss while standing beneath Catalina Palm Trees by Avalon Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Groom holding bride and laughing by Avalon Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Bride and groom wrapped up in each other with San Pedro channel in the background by Avalon Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Couple preparing for their Della Terra Mountain Chateau Wedding in the Rocky Mountains, hold and kiss while ontop of cliff overlooking Catalina Casino by Avalon Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Couple laughing with Catalina Casino in the background by Avalon Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Couple overlooking Catalina Island and the small town of Avalon by Catalina Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Couple standing on Avalon beach under marquee lights by Catalina Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Marquise Cut Diamond engagement ring passed down from great aunt to bride standing in seashells by Catalina Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Groom holding bride with pleasure pier in the background by Catalina Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Bride and groom walking on Avalon beach at dusk during low tide by Catalina Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography
Bride and groom holding hands and walking along Avalon's breakwater towards Catalina's Casino and Descanso Bay by Catalina Wedding Photographer Austyn Elizabeth Photography

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  • Laura ZellerThese are the most beautiful engagement photos I have ever seen. Beautiful couple and talented artist taking these. I enjoyed seeing these so much. ReplyCancel