Karen and Joey’s engagement session was an absolute dream! When Karen told me that she wanted to have their engagement photos taken at her childhood home in the Tanque Verde area of Tucson, I had no idea what to expect. Was there going to be a lot of space to work with? Would the sun be facing the right direction for whatever scenery she wanted to feature? When I pulled into the driveway, I was completely awestruck! I could have stayed here all day long and not even run out of beautiful places to feature! Oh, AND I got to have some puppy time with their baby boy, Milo! Best. Day. Ever.
Getting to Know Karen and Joey
You know it’s going to be an awesome session when the first thing you hear your client say is, “It’s so nice to finally meet you!” Karen and Joey were so welcoming right from the beginning. And Milo? Well, he’s a puppy… All he had to do was show up and I was instantly in love! Milo is only 6 months old so he is still a fluffy ball of energy.
Before their Tanque Verde engagement session, I asked Karen and Joey what their favorite thing about each other was. They had the same answer: their sense of humor. They are both incredibly easy-going and kind with that fun humor sprinkled in. It seems like any spare minute we had was filled with the type of conversation you’d have with good friends. Joey and I talked about our growing love for sweets (especially those Reese’s!) and how our day just doesn’t feel complete without something sugary. Karen says she LOVES baking, so I know Joey is safe in that department haha!
Karen told me about the crazy workload she’s been hustling through at work and how things have been so busy– even through the lockdown. I can totally remember having those stressful, draining days at my old job when it seemed like there was no end in sight! But that just shows me how dedicated she is to working hard and doing well.
A Childhood Home and Wedding Day Dreams
As many of you know, I actually live a little over an hour south of Tucson in the little town of Sierra Vista. It’s quiet. It’s small. And, well, there isn’t much going on. I have been so grateful for the small-town pace here. Even though Tucson is a lot busier, I really do appreciate the wide variety of scenery available there– especially as a photographer! One minute you’re in a barren desert and then just a few miles down the road you’re surrounded by tall, glowing trees.
As I got closer to Karen’s parents’ house, I realized I had been in that same area before visiting the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch wedding venue. The sparse shrubs turned into abundant mesquite trees and bright, sandy ground. I’m not lying when I tell you that when I pulled into the driveway my jaw dropped. The cobblestone-like entry gave the home an immediate regal and sophisticated feel. There is established landscaping all over that is beautifully maintained. One way I looked I saw gorgeous ivy-covered buildings covered in stone. Not far away I could see swaying trees and towering mountains. I may have said out loud to myself: “I don’t ever want to leave!” I completely understand why Karen and Joey are having their wedding here!
The Tanque Verde Engagement Session
I asked Karen and Joey to show me where they planned on setting up the wedding ceremony and celebration. Naturally, that’s where we started their session!
We grabbed a quick photo with Milo so that he could go run around and use all his energy before the car ride home!
I can already picture these two dancing under the string lights together on their wedding day!
This image with the wagon wheel was a special request from Karen’s mom. This piece of history was brought to the property with them and placed here 20 years ago. It’s never moved since!
I grabbed some individual portraits of Karen and Joey before we headed off to a new spot.
The sun had already started to dip behind the horizon and the mountains still had some soft pink colors on them. What a beautiful place to end the day!
As you can tell, we were still having fun and not quite ready to be done!
These two have been together for 8 years already and I am so pumped for them to tie the knot. They’ve been through high school, college, and becoming puppy parents (which we know takes lots of patience!). Karen and Joey, your wedding day is going to be absolutely AMAZING! And it’s not because of the outrageously gorgeous scenery but because of how much you two care for and love each other.
You can follow along with me as I explore more awesome engagement session locations around Tucson HERE!
These are incredible!!! You really captured their personalities and the great love they share. Wonderful!!
Thank you so much, Julie! They both wear their heart on their sleeve and it just shows!
[…] the one-of-a-kind property, but with the kindness these two showed, as well. I had so much fun at their engagement session and hoped that I’d get the chance to see them […]