Erika + Cameron, Bodega Bay Engagement Session | Bodega Bay Wedding Photographer

“We’ll have our three small dogs with us (a senile dachshund, a deaf terrier, and our supremely photogenic pocket pit), and we’re also planning on bringing cookie baking supplies” is what Erika wrote to me in one of our engagement session planning emails.

Now let’s just take a minute to break down all the awesome-ness rolled into this one statement.

1. Dogs

I am a HUGE animal lover… if you follow my work it is no secret that between my personal menagorie (Mike and I have three cats, a chinchilla, a bearded dragon, and would be happy owning a small zoo of exotic creatures), and all of the animals my clients incorporate into their sessions/weddings (Ive had everything from dogs to goats to alpaca)- adding animals into a session = instant fun.

2. A senile dachshund, a deaf terrier, and our supremely photogenic pocket pit???

YES. To ALL of that. Unique, unusual, and quirky ANYTHING gets my enthusiasm and interest sparked. Not just one dog with personality quirks but three? An entire pack following us? Yes.

3. Cookie baking supplies

Logical deduciton: cookie baking supplies = cookie baking = cookie dough I can eat when you’re not looking… or when you’re looking. Let’s face it, I have no shame.

This session was so much fun and I feel so lucky that couples like this find me. Erika and Cameron are so easy to photograph- they have an openness and easy-going spirit to them and I felt so happy that they chose such personal touches for their engagement session. We began at Erika’s grandmother’s beach cabin in Bodega Bay. The cabin has been in her family for quite some time and it was filled with family photographs, collections, and memories. (And I died over that stove…)

They chose to bake chocolate chip cookies during their session since these two have always loved cookie baking and the proper mixing method has been a source for much debate throughout their relationship. I assisted in dough-eating. It was great.

We shot around the cabin then wandered down to the beach just a few minutes away.

I can’t wait for these two to get married this year.