Sandia Foothills Engagement Portraits | Matt & Rachel

Sandia Foothills Engagement Portraits | Matt & Rachel

Matt and I met sometime during our freshman year of college. He was an engineering student with Ryan at the University of New Mexico, but even though they were friends first, he and I quickly realized how much the two of us had in common and became BFFs too. For years, Matt was our favorite third wheel. He was the Ted to our Lily and Marshall, and I would joke that whoever he chose to date had to pass Lily’s “front porch test.”

Fast forward a few years, and we finally meet Rachel. Any worries that we might not get along with Matt’s chosen person went out the window. I told Matt not long afterward that I wanted her to be my new best friend. She’s sarcastic and funny and a total sweetheart. They are perfect together.

Watching them get to know each other and grow closer over the last few years has been such a privilege. They traveled to Vancouver with us two years ago, got engaged at the end of last year, and I finally had the chance to get them in front of my camera for some engagement pictures during my last trip to Albuquerque this spring.

The day of our session was super windy, in true New Mexico spring-day fashion. You could see dust clouding the horizon, and the 20+ mph gusts would cut through the air and nearly knock you over. We started out among the trees in the Rio Grande bosque, then braved being out in the open in the Sandia foothills as the sun headed toward the horizon. That golden desert light just makes me swoon—it is my absolute favorite. Ultimately, I think the wind and dust did us some favors, creating some movement to Rachel’s hair and dress, and giving the golden light a haze I could never create in Photoshop. Golden hour could not be a more apt description.

Scroll down to see Matt & Rachel’s dreamy golden Sandia Foothills engagement portraits!

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And while you’re here, you might also love to check out these other weddings and engagements I’ve photographed:

Woodinville Lavender Wedding | Dana & Nick

Casa Rondena Winery Wedding in Albuquerque, NM | Katie & Ryan

Albuquerque Engagement Portraits in the Sandia Foothills | Cammi & Tim

Rattlesnake Lake Summer Engagement Portraits | Mary & Gabe

Wine Country Wedding in Benton City, Washington

Matt and I met sometime during our freshman year of college. He was an engineering student with Ryan at the University of New Mexico, but even though they were friends first, he and I quickly realized how much the two of us had in common and became BFFs too. For years, Matt was our favorite third wheel. He was the Ted to our Lily and Marshall, and I would joke that whoever he chose to date had to pass Lily’s “front porch test.”

Fast forward a few years, and we finally meet Rachel. Any worries that we might not get along with Matt’s chosen person went out the window. I told Matt not long afterward that I wanted her to be my new best friend. She’s sarcastic and funny and a total sweetheart. They are perfect together.

Watching them get to know each other and grow closer over the last few years has been such a privilege. They traveled to Vancouver with us two years ago, got engaged at the end of last year, and I finally had the chance to get them in front of my camera for some engagement pictures during my last trip to Albuquerque this spring.

The day of our session was super windy, in true New Mexico spring-day fashion. You could see dust clouding the horizon, and the 20+ mph gusts would cut through the air and nearly knock you over. We started out among the trees in the Rio Grande bosque, then braved being out in the open in the Sandia foothills as the sun headed toward the horizon. That golden desert light just makes me swoon—it is my absolute favorite. Ultimately, I think the wind and dust did us some favors, creating some movement to Rachel’s hair and dress, and giving the golden light a haze I could never create in Photoshop. Golden hour could not be a more apt description.

Scroll down to see Matt & Rachel’s dreamy golden Sandia Foothills engagement portraits!

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And while you’re here, you might also love to check out these other weddings and engagements I’ve photographed:

Woodinville Lavender Wedding | Dana & Nick

Casa Rondena Winery Wedding in Albuquerque, NM | Katie & Ryan

Albuquerque Engagement Portraits in the Sandia Foothills | Cammi & Tim

Rattlesnake Lake Summer Engagement Portraits | Mary & Gabe

Wine Country Wedding in Benton City, Washington

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