Golden Hour Magic: A Proposal and Engagement Session in Sedona

Once upon a time in the red rock kingdom of Sedona, a couple set off on a journey not just of love, but of celebration. Bill and Christine, already happily engaged, traveled to this magical land for a retreat — a pause in their daily lives to breathe, reflect, and connect. While the proposal itself had already happened (no surprise twists here), they dreamed of capturing their joy in a place that felt as special as their story.

That’s where I came in.

Bill reached out to me with the idea of creating proposal and engagement photos they could share with their family and friends — a visual announcement, framed by Sedona’s beauty. After chatting and thinking through the perfect spot, we landed on Baldwin Trail. It’s one of those trails that has everything — Cathedral Rock in full glory, peaceful river bends, and enough variety to make it feel like an adventure from start to finish.

When the day arrived, I met up with Bill and Christine, and right away I could tell they were incredible humans — kind, light-hearted, and just so easy to be around. Of course, in true adventure style, we started off going the wrong way on the trail (my brain wasn’t quite firing on all cylinders that day — it happens!). But a quick turnaround got us back on track, and soon we were headed toward the perfect little overlook before the sun dipped behind the red rock horizon.

We didn’t climb all the way up, but we didn’t need to. Bill found a quiet spot with the sunset glowing behind them, and even though Christine already knew he had popped the question, she hadn’t seen the ring — and her excitement was real and radiant. There’s something about that moment, even when it’s expected, that just hits differently when you’re standing in the middle of nature’s magic.

After soaking in the golden light on the mountainside, we made our way back down to the river. Blankets were spread, laughter echoed off the water, and they even splashed around a bit, fully embracing the moment. These two made the entire shoot feel more like a hangout with friends — and it was one of those sessions I’ll carry with me for a long time.

Bill and Christine — wishing you both all the happiness and adventure your hearts can hold. Thank you for letting me be part of your story.