Some love stories begin with a grand romantic gesture. Others begin with something much simpler—a swipe on a dating app that quietly changes everything.

For Emily and Todd, it all started on Hinge while they were both living in Denver.

At first glance, they may not have seemed like two people whose paths were destined to cross. Emily grew up in Boston on the East Coast, while Todd spent his childhood just minutes from the beaches of San Diego. They were raised on opposite ends of the country, living completely different lives with no reason to believe their stories would ever intersect. But sometimes life has a way of bringing the right people together at exactly the right moment. Denver became the place where two completely different journeys met.

Their Last First Date

Their first date was delightfully simple: beers, a game of pool, and a few rounds of darts at a local bar. Emily laughs that she wasn’t particularly good at either game, while Todd’s competitive side made sure every shot counted. It’s one of those memories that still makes them smile today, not because of what they did, but because it was the beginning of everything.

Over the next few years, they discovered that life simply worked better together. They traveled, explored new places, built countless memories, and welcomed their sweet mini Golden Retriever, Meadow, into their family. Through all of life’s ordinary moments and exciting adventures, one thing became increasingly clear: they made an incredible team.

One Question in Boston

Sometimes the biggest realization isn’t marked by one extraordinary moment. Sometimes it’s found in the quiet confidence that life is simply better together. For Todd, asking Emily to marry him became an easy decision.

Last November, he brought her home to Boston and proposed at a beautiful botanical garden surrounded by lush greenery. Emily admits she had a feeling something special was about to happen that day, but nothing could have prepared her for what came next. After the proposal, the two walked into a surprise engagement party filled with family and friends who had gathered to celebrate one of the biggest moments of their lives.

Now, they’re planning a wedding at the beautiful Leo Carrillo Ranch in Carlsbad, San Diego!

Golden Hour Engagement Photos at Del Mar Beach

For their engagement session, we met at one of San Diego’s most iconic coastal locations: Del Mar Beach.

There is something timeless about photographing couples by the ocean. The warm sand, soft evening light, and rhythmic sound of the waves create the perfect backdrop for documenting this season of anticipation before a wedding day. What Hayes and I loved most about photographing Emily and Todd wasn’t a particular pose or location—it was simply watching them interact with one another.

They have such an easy, natural chemistry. Whether they were laughing together as they walked along the shoreline or sharing quiet moments while watching the sunset over the Pacific, everything about their relationship felt effortless. You can tell they genuinely enjoy being together, and that comfort shines through in every photograph.

Rather than focusing on perfectly posed images, my goal is to create space for couples to simply be themselves. The laughter, the little glances, the conversations between prompts. Those are often the moments that become the most meaningful photographs. Emily and Todd made that incredibly easy.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the sky turned soft shades of gold, we finished the evening feeling even more excited for everything that’s still to come.

To the Bride and Groom:

Emily and Todd, if your engagement session is any indication of what your wedding day will be like, we already know it’s going to be filled with joy, genuine emotion, and so many beautiful moments. Thank you for trusting Hayes and me to document this incredibly special season of your lives. We cannot wait to celebrate with you both at Leo Carrillo Ranch next year. It will be here before we know it!

Sunset Strolls & Five Years of Love | Berkeley & Austin’s Coronado Beach Engagement Session