I was SO thrilled when Gabrielle and Matt were willing to embrace a little rain for their engagement photos in dreamy Brookings, Oregon on the coast. And not just a little drizzle… we’re talking windy, rainy coastal weather that really showed up for the occasion.

But honestly? Those are the sessions that can create some of the most epic images.

The coast is unpredictable, and while a sunny beach day is beautiful, there is something incredibly magical about stormy weather. The dramatic skies, the wind, the movement, and the moody atmosphere all add so much emotion and depth to photos.

And Gabrielle and Matt absolutely rocked it.

We spent the day exploring the coastline, finding beautiful lookout spots, watching birds soar around the cliffs, and wandering along the beach while the weather did its thing. Gabrielle’s dark green flowy dress was the perfect choice for the setting. The color looked incredible against the deep coastal greens, gray skies, and dramatic ocean backdrop.

We started out with some cozy umbrella shots, but eventually they decided to fully embrace the experience.

And by embrace it, I mean they got drenched.

Which was amazing.

There is something so fun about a couple who says, “Well, we’re already here… let’s just go for it.” They laughed, snuggled, walked through the rain, and let the wind and weather become part of the story instead of something to fight against.

And those ended up being some of my favorite photos.

The movement of her dress in the wind, the rain falling around them, the moody skies, and the way they laughed through it all made the images feel so alive.

Stormy weather doesn’t ruin photos—it can actually make them even more memorable.

And the best part?

We got to do a second engagement session later in the fall, too!

For that one, we switched things up with cozy sweaters, warmer colors, and a much calmer riverside setting. They celebrated with a little champagne pop, which was such a fun way to capture another side of their relationship.

I love that their engagement photos tell two different stories: one adventurous and dramatic, one cozy and relaxed. Both felt completely like them.

Gabrielle and Matt, thank you for trusting me and being willing to play in the rain. Your willingness to embrace the unexpected made for some seriously beautiful images, and I had such a blast photographing your love.

Rain, wind, champagne, laughter, and a whole lot of love. Pretty much the perfect engagement story. 🤍🌧️🥂