Yosemite Engagement | Kimberlee & Derek
You’re about to see a glorious Yosemite engagement session and it was a dream come true! It was a perfect blend of a beautiful setting and a wonderful couple who trusted me completely and were down for anything I asked of them! I could not have asked for anything better, except maybe less traffic in the park…
Kimberlee and Derek have known each other since high school. They reconnected a few years later, at a concert, and started dating. The proposal happened while Kimberlee was on a girls trip to Morro Bay. Kimberlee looked up and saw Derek at the top of a hill with champagne and flowers. It was a dream come true for her!
We met Kimberlee at Derek at the Wawona Hotel. They joined us in our car so it would be easier to find parking as we made our way around the park. We had a great time chatting as we drove to our first destination, the bathroom, which turned out to be porta-potties on the side of the road.
While we were walking back to the car, I noticed a really pretty, snowy area up the hill from where we were standing and thought it’d be a great spot to get started. We trekked our way up the hill hoping we didn’t fall through the snow. They were such troopers following me. We found this beautiful spot among the trees and captured their first portraits. Just to the right of where these were taken we realized there was a much easier way we could have gone up the hill. Oh well, it was an adventure.
On our way to the chapel we spotted a beautiful location by the river. Getting to our spot was a little less challenging than the first, but it had its share of obstacles. I’m telling you, these two were awesome and trusted me every step of the way!
The thing about Yosemite is there is no bad place to take a picture. At every turn there is a beautiful backdrop! You’ll see what ended up being our favorite spot though. It was even better when they changed into their fancy clothes. It took their session to a whole new level! I just love it when couples take my advice on what to wear.
What I love about Kimberlee and Derek is how kind and genuine they are and how they love each other in such a sweet, gentle way. They really are each other’s best friend. Hearing them chat with each other in the back seat as we drove through Yosemite, I saw how deeply they respect and admire each other.
Derek describes Kim as “the most selfless person he knows”. He said, “She will give the shirt off her back without ever thinking about herself, just to care for her loved ones. She is generous, kind, caring, compassionate, loving, fun, and so, so strong”. One of the first things that attracted Derek to her was her caring heart. The more time they spent together and he learned about her, he figured out how selfless and strong she is. “She gives me everything I could ever need. I know she is going to be an incredible wife and a kickass mom someday”.
Kimberlee said, “There are so many wonderful traits that stand out to me about Derek. The one thing I love the most about him is how big his heart is. He loves me with everything he has in him. He takes care of me even when he doesn’t have to, and I’m a lot to handle sometimes! Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without him. Another thing I love about him is how selfless he is. He is constantly willing to consider other people’s needs and feelings above his own. His ability to do this even when people don’t deserve it proves how truly wonderful a man he is”.
Do you see why I love these two so much? They are the real deal and my kind of people!
They are so excited to get married and share all that life brings them, together. I cannot wait for their wedding in April at Hobbs Grove! It is going to be a great time surrounded by love!
