Grant and Kelsey’s Claremont College engagement shoot was so personal and fun! Heading back to campus was a wonderful way to capture the love and excitement between the couple while grasping their history! The picturesque college location was a stunning and unique choice!
Kelsey and Grant’s journey began in 2014 when they started dating. Fast forward to November 2019, they got engaged. However, their wedding plans were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally they had planned their destination wedding in Oaxaca, Mexico. With life taking over, moving several times, changing jobs, and sadly, losing a loved one to cancer they decided to let their wedding day come naturally. Amidst all these challenges, they welcomed their adorable daughter, Olive, who is now around nine months old! With a newborn welcomed and life starting to settle down again they decided it was time for them to tie the knot this August. We will be heading to Santa Barbara to shoot their wedding day keeping up with their original theme of a destination wedding feel!
In March, Kelsey reached out to me, after desperately searching for a local photographer who could shoot on film and whose style she adored. After much searching, she found me and we connected! Kelsey and Grant wanted their engagement photos to reflect their love for nature and the beautiful memories they shared on the Claremont College campus.
Claremont College holds a special place in Kelsey’s heart, as she spent her college years there. Even though Grant didn’t attend the same college, he frequently visited Kelsey on campus. He would often make the drive up and they shared so many memories together on campus. The college’s mature oak trees, blooming flowers, and unique cactus garden created a stunning backdrop for their engagement photos. I really loved how they decided to go back to the start of their story to capture these photos. They even brought along baby Olive and we got some adorable photos with her as well.
During their photoshoot, Kelsey and Grant shared a special spot with me – an art exhibit by modern artist James Turrell. This installation, known for its captivating light setup, features a large hole in the middle, offering a view of the sky. As the sun sets, different colors illuminate the space, creating a truly mesmerizing effect! I was totally thrilled because I have been following Turrell since my college years, and I am captivated by his work. This location holds personal significance for Kelsey and Grant and so they wanted to be sure to include it as a place to capture some photos.
Kelsey and Grant’s engagement shoot was even more special with the presence of their adorable daughter, Olive. I can describe her as the sweetest and most easy-going baby, making the photoshoot a delightful experience! Capturing moments with Olive added a beautiful family dimension to the engagement photos. I loved seeing their dynamic as a couple in love and a family of three.
The photoshoot at Claremont College was not just about capturing beautiful pictures but also about documenting a significant moment in Kelsey and Grant’s life. The couple enjoyed wandering around the campus, reminiscing about their time together, and even sipping wine from cute to-go cups. These candid moments truly reflected them. Claremont College was the ideal location for their engagement photoshoots making it feel very natural for the couple.
Kelsey and Grant’s engagement photoshoot at Claremont College beautifully encapsulated their journey together. From dating to parents, the photos capture this season of life so they will be able to look back and spark memories from this time for years to come. I am so excited to be working with them again later in August in Santa Barbara, California. I can already envision all the love and joy that will be present on their big day!
Loving these unique Claremont College engagement photos? Check out this rainy day engagement in Newport Beach!
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