I am completely head-over-heels in love with today’s styled engagement shoot from Live View Studios! It’s a little bit retro, a lotta bit all-American, with just a hint of The Notebook. Yes, that Notebook. The movie starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling. The love story that stole the hearts of millions away. Sigh. This engagement session will do the same. Steal your heart away that is. If not for the color, than the fun, and if not for that, than the recreated swoon-worthy boat scene that you’ll see in just a little bit. Prepare to turn into a puddle of goo. :) Oh, and just so you know, today’s featured couple, while a real-life couple, are not yet engaged. But they do have a real-life love story and we just so happen to have all the details! Let’s get to it!

Heather was working as a bartender downtown when she met Ryan. The first time he came in, Heather all but blew him off. He’d asked who was in charge of the music in the bar. As this was one of the main complaints from customers (it was a punk/rockabilly-themed bar), Heather just assumed he was going to complain too. When he told her it was the exact same music on the iPod he’d left in his truck, Heather was pleasantly surprised.

The next time he came into the bar, Heather remembered him from their previous encounter. They flirted a little and she invited him to join her on her dinner break. They chatted a while before exchanging phone numbers. They hung out for the first time the following weekend.

Before meeting, both Heather and Ryan were happy being single. Neither were looking for or interested in being in a relationship. For a while, they made fun of his engaged best friend and mocked other people in relationships, even though they were obviously into each other. They soon fell head-over-heels for each other and their relationship has only gotten better with time. His friends all think they are the perfect match and they couldn’t agree more. (Neither can we.)

{Behind the Lens with Brent and Anna of Live View Studios} The inspiration for this shoot came from a pinup poster we saw of a girl fanning a smoking grill with her dress. We thought it would be cute to create some engagement ideas for an all-American picnic with a bit of a retro/rockabilly twist. Our couple (a real-life couple though not yet engaged) had a blast shooting this with us. They’re both very much the style of people that this shoot ended up becoming, and were as excited about the results as we were! All-American foods like hot dogs, apple pie and Coca Cola were used as picnic foods. And the photos from the lake have an especially “Notebook” movie feel, which was an added plus for us, since we both love the movie and have always wanted to do a shoot that’s somewhat styled after it.

We’ve worked with Heather on several occasions before when she modeled for us. She’s always been a very easy to get along with person, and fun to hang out with. We met Ryan for the first time a month before the shoot and found him to be someone who laughs a lot, is very fun and easy going. The two of them together are so great for each other! When we started brainstorming for this shoot, we were thinking retro Americana. Both Ryan and Heather are a little bit punk, and when we saw that Ryan had several cool tattoos, we ended up wedging a little bit of a rockabilly vibe into the whole feel of the finished product. Both Heather and Ryan’s personalities and love for each other shines through in every photo.

I am about to show my love for this shoot by going seriously picture happy. Enjoy!

So amazing! That shot of them by the grill where he is grabbing at her dress with his tongs makes me giggle every time. And the shots of them on the bike and on the lake… I’m still swooning. I mean, honestly, how could you not?

To Brent and Anna, the talented husband and wife duo of Live View Studios, thank you so, so much for sharing your talent and inspiration with us today! You two are amazing! To the equally amazing Heather and Ryan, thank you for sharing your love story with us! We wish you both lots of love, many laughs, and a proposal in your future! ;)

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Venue: Cloer Family Vineyards – Makeup Artist: Karen Michelle Clark

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Happy Monday!

xoxo