Well I don’t really know how to start off writing about such an amazing engagement session, so here goes.  Raquel first reached out to me while she was stationed in Afghanistan and so was her fiance Edwin.  She has been long time friends with Chelsea, one of our past brides and a current bride, Sara; they all went to high school together.  I didn’t get to meet Raquel until Sara’s wedding because she returned from deployment just a few weeks before Sara’s wedding.  I talked to her a bit and we knew something epic had to be done for her and Edwin’s engagement session.  I came across one of the many articles circulating around Facebook about Hamilton Pool Preserve and it looked to be drop dead gorgeous.  I knew it would be the perfect backdrop for their portraits and was close to Raquel, who is stationed in Kileen.  I made sure it was ok to photograph their and the nice gentleman I spoke with said it was, just that they only allow a set number of cars in at one time.  I thought, ok great we can just make sure and arrive early on Sunday, say 8:30 (they open at 9am).  So come Sunday morning, I get up at 3am and make the drive down from Dallas to Austin; I arrive a little after 8am to Hamilton Pool and see cars already lined up.  I’m probably car number 35 or so.  Edwin and Raquel arrive at 8:30 and it becomes quite clear they will not be able to make it in as they are well past the limit of 75 cars.  I call Raquel and discuss options, and while we waited in line at another park about half a mile down the road from Hamilton Pool.  We decided to have Raquel hop in my car and Edwin will go park their truck at the park we were waiting at and run over to the location.  It was roughly 4 miles but Edwin is an avid runner and has done marathons (disclaimer – I don’t normally have people run before sessions) and I had gatorade for him when he arrived.  Of course, we let him cool down and tell us when we is ready to start.  Afterall, that’s true love to run several miles for your photo session, Raquel is a lucky lady.

We grab our clothes and gear and make the hike down to the preserve.  It was filled with people at this point but honestly they were super respectful and yelled congratulations at Edwin and Raquel.   After we finished at the pool, we headed to a gas station to rehydrate and get something to eat and then we head back to Austin so we can finish their engagement session at the State Capitol.  And I have to say, I’m sooooo in love with their pictures and I’m surprising them with this sneak peek 🙂