24 Apr

Engagements

Salt Flats Engagements | Hannah + Cole | Utah Engagement Photographer

Salt Flats Engagements

The sprawling blank canvas that the Salt Flats provide is PERFECT for an engagement shoot! I loved capturing Hannah and Cole here and listening to their love story as I captured them loving each other all through the session.  I can’t help but get ALL the feels every time I get to watch a newly engaged couple interact with each other from behind the camera. These two knew just what to do and were comfortable being themselves, which is always what I want to see happen. Plus, I don’t think it gets any more beautiful than the sunset over the Salt Flats. I’ll let you see for yourself and then you can be the judge. 🙂

Engagement photos | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Engaged couple | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography

How They Met

Cole and Hannah met clear back when they were in middle school but never really talked to each other because they were both so shy. Then they saw each other a couple of times throughout high school but never really got together to hang out then either. Who knew they both secretly thought the other was cute but never said anything to anyone. Ha! Gotta love it!

Engagements at the Salt Flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography

Love Story

Nowadays it is rare if a love story doesn’t involve social media. Am I right? This love story is no exception. Hannah was living in LA when Cole returned from his LDS mission in the Philippines back to Utah. To Cole’s surprise, Hannah kept popping up in his social media feed. Lucky for Hannah, her birthday was around that time, so Cole messaged her through FB to tell wish her well and the conversation kept going from there. They talked for a few months and once Hannah was back in Utah over Christmas they decided to meet up at Temple Square with friends to view the lights.  They didn’t want to tell each other goodbye that night so luckily New Year’s was right around the corner and Cole took her out on their second date. The two enjoyed dessert at the Chocolate, followed by games at a friend’s house. They talked for hours and Cole didn’t leave to drive home until 3am! While they were together Hannah introduce Cole to her favorite band, Oh Wonder, who would be playing in LA in the coming weeks so she nonchalantly invited him, thinking he’d never come. Well, he did! He came down with a friend. They loved every minute together and talked about how they felt about each other and the distance, had a first kiss on the rooftop overlooking LA and started a long distance relationship.Couple during engagments | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Utah Salt Flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography

Falling In Love

One night when Cole and Hannah were talking over FaceTime, which was happening more and more, Cole looked at her with a huge smile and said, “I can’t go any longer with out telling you…. Hannah, I love you.”  After freaking out for a second, she told him she loved him too. The first time they really knew it, was when Hannah was going back to LA for a really long time. As they said their goodbyes they both cried but it wasn’t until Cole walked away out of sight that he broke down in tears. They figured all of those tears must show how much they really love each other. They described it as a hard night but also the best night because that’s when they both really knew they loved each other. A LOT!Salt Flats Engagement Photo Session | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer

The Proposal

Cole and his family came down to visit Hannah in LA for her graduation. While there, they went out to dinner and then a long drive before heading back to Hannah’s apartment. He wanted her to come up to the roof with him, which she fought him on doing right away because she wanted to get comfy first (her favorite thing). He convinced her to head upstairs, where she found rose petals spread all around, pictures of them hanging, more roses, and lit candles. It took Hannah a second to realize all of it was actually for her. She turned around to look at Cole and noticed he had tears in his eyes. He said, “I have one question for you…” then he knelt down and asked, “Can I be yours forever?” and of course she said YES! She didn’t even realize there were people up there until after everything had happened! Both of their families were there, along with roommates, and they were responsible for setting it all up. Well done friends and family! And well done Cole! Way to pull off a surprise!Engagement poses | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Engagement session at the Salt Flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography

What They Love Most

Hannah and Cole both love that they understand each other. They share the same interests and everything they do in their lives seems to complement one another. They both love how they are absolutely massive in height (her words) and Hannah told me they turn heads when they walk in a room. The two are adventurous. They both know why they are here on this earth and what their goal is in this life is. Then add to that list snuggling. What’s not to love about being a snuggler?Salt Flats Engagement Photo Session | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer

What They Love Doing Together

When it comes to taking pictures, they both love it. Same with binge watching TV shows together. Dessert is another; making chocolate covered pretzels and chocolate covered strawberries together because that was the treat they had on the first night of their honeymoon. They love to travel together with our new little pup Romeo. Hannah and Cole also love to design together, read together, shop, and going on adventures to find good records for their record player. The two both love finding new music artists and going to their concerts when they come to town. Sitting and snuggling while they talk about their day also makes the list, along with  pretty much anything and everything as long as they do it together.What to wear for engagements | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography What to wear for engagements | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography

Engagement photo wardrobe ideas | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography

Looking Forward To…

These two are looking forward to creating a life together and building a strong family that loves one another. Both of them look forward to working together through thick and thin, the bad and the good, to never stop loving one another, always looking out for each other, and lastly, always finding the best in each other no matter the situation. They want a life full of fun, adventure, traveling, creating, designing, and love.Salt Flats Engagement Photo Session | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer

Wedding Day Vision

The vision is very simple. The colors are simple, not too many decorations, easy food and refreshments, with the only must have… DANCING! Wedding colors of cream, white, very light blush pink, and light green.Walking on the salt flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement PhotographyHannah and Cole during engagement photos | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography black and white hand holding | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Salt Flats at dusk | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement PhotographyEngaged couple holds hands | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Cuddling on the salt flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Walking on the Salt Flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography

alt Flats Engagement Photo Session | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding PhotographerRunning across the Flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography

Salt Flats in the background | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Serious pose for engagement session | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Salt Flats Engagement Photo Session | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer Dancing on the Salt Flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Couple steals a kiss during engagment photos | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Salt Lake flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Engaged couple cozies up for the camera | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Beautiful Utah Landscape | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Engagement shoot with Brooke Bakken | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Utah Engagement Photo Locations | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Holding hands at the Bonneville Salt Flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Couple gets photos at Salt Flats UT | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Engaged couple at Utah Salt Flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography Sunset over the Salt Flats | Brooke Bakken | Utah Wedding Photographer | Utah Engagement Photography

Cross one thing off your wedding to do list and schedule your engagements now before my schedule fills up! Call me.

XOXOXO – Brooke