Austin and Julia are engaged! I’m so stinking excited friend! They met at college where they both attend Northwestern State University, and this couple holds a very special place in my heart because Austin is my firstborn child. When he told me he was going to propose to his girlfriend in Natchitoches, I may have done a little happy dance because I knew the minute I met her that I had just met my future daughter-in-law! What I want to know is: How in the world am I old enough to have a child that is getting married?

A few months ago I asked Julia if I could shoot a portrait session for her. At the time that I asked her I had no idea that Austin was even thinking about proposing. That news came later! But when Austin told me that he wanted to propose, I knew I had to be there to capture that moment with my camera. So under the disguise of a portrait session in Natchitoches, he proposed.

It was absolutely perfect. Julia’s family was present as well because “they wanted a family photo for their Christmas card.” HAHA. She never knew what this day was really about until Austin got down on one knee and pulled a ring out of his pocket.

We started out with some individual portraits so as not to give it away right off the bat! After all this WAS supposed to be just a portrait session! After that I asked them to let me take some pictures of the two of them together, because I am a proud mom after all! 🙂 And that was the sign to let Austin know that it was time for the proposal. He turned her back to him for a shot with the camera, and then he dropped down on one knee! It only took her a half of a second to realize what was going on as she yelled, “NO!” before he ever asked her. Luckily she wasn’t saying no to the proposal, but rather the shock of what was happening. SHE SAID YES!

I love how their smiles changed for the remainder of the photos that evening! You can see their happiness right on their faces!

Congratulations Austin and Julia! Let the wedding planning begin! July 27th cannot get here fast enough!