It was the first day in a week that the sun peeked out behind the rain soaked clouds. It was the summer solstice. It was the best night to spend with Sailee and Chris for their Cincinnati engagement session! We had a bit of an adventure through UC’s campus and then made our way to Smale Park to capture that evening glow.

One of the best parts for me about being a photographer is being able to tell YOUR story. Not your coworker’s, not your brother’s, and not your neighbor’s. For Sailee and Chris, this meant we started at Murphy’s Pub in Clifton. These two met while they were both students at the University of Cincinnati. And in Sailee’s laughter-filled words, ‘their love really blossomed at Murphy’s.’ At the beginning of their relationship, they shared stories over drinks and pool tables at the classic college bar.

It was perfect to capture that piece of their love story on camera. With so many college students getting ready to snack on those famous free hot dogs when we started our session, I am pretty sure Sailee + Chris are trendsetters. There were definitely a few guys in line thinking about how they will convince their future fiances to snag some photos in front of Murphy’s since they totally saw a gorgeous couple do that back in 2019.

After Murphy’s, we visited Mick and Mack at McMicken. Wow that is a lot of M’s right in a row! I bet I can do better. Let’s try that again. My marvelous soon-to-be-married couple and me made our move over to McMicken to meet Mick and Mack moments after we left Murphy’s Pub. Yay! We even swung by the stadium before heading to Smale Park! How’s that for a classic Cincinnati engagement session!

Sailee + Chris were admittedly pretty nervous before this session. And that is totally normal! I remember before Jon’s and I’s anniversary session last year, I legit thought I was gonna throw up and Jon downed an adult beverage to relax. So I totally get it!

I also start off each session just educating my clients. How you have done all of the hard work (ie, getting ready haha), and that I am officially taking over. I coach all of my clients throughout their session. I have your back. I help you straighten your glasses. I help you ‘jushz’ that gorgeous hair of yours. I make sure your ring is sparkling front and center!

Literally one of the best moments from Sailee and Chris’s session? Well besides them looking bomb and us laughing like a bunch of goofs..by the end of the session, Chris was right there with me with the hair-fixing and the ring-centering! Chris, you totally crushed it! And as you can see, these two were far from nervous by the end of their engagement session. Sailee even said she felt like she could do ANYthing, with a little swag in her step! THIS.IS.LIFE. And this is why I love being your photographer.

Sailee + Chris, thank you for being such a fun couple both on and off of the camera! I had such a blast being goofy with you guys. I LOVE that both of you described each other as goof balls and that it was one of your biggest bonding traits. I LOVE this. Laughter, guys. It is what a beautiful life is made of. And you two? Your life is looking pretty darn hilarious from my side of the camera.

Love you both!

Rachel