Engagement photos can reflect you & boo- how you two met, where you went on dates together. But we nixed the food poisoning for this engagement session.

This one is a little near a dear to my heart- this is my good friend Jac! I met her when she was single, and remember her first talking about Saif. He’s incredible. These are two humans with a sense of adventure and wow, did their story start out with many adventures. It all starts on Art Hill in St. Louis…

After meeting on Hinge, Jac and Saif had their first date in St. Louis where they grabbed pizza and sat on Art Hill. If you haven’t been, you should because it’s really a beautiful place!

The pizza was good but not great… on this first date they BOTH got food poisoning!

But love knows no boundaries. These two didn’t let an ailment get in their way – they had TWO more dates that same week.

They celebrated their one month together by jumping out of a plane. Yeah, you read that right. Saif tried to surprise Jac but the waiver for the jump was sent to her email so, the plan was spoiled. They still had a great time.

When they hired me to shoot their engagement photos, we decided to recreate their first date on Art Hill in St. Louis. Let me tell you, the sunset, the pizza, the ice cream was DELIVERING for this session. 

I wanna send a big THANK YOU to Saif for sending me this meaningful review:

“Rachael is the best photographer anyone could ask for…She’s not only incredibly talented, but also a kind, approachable soul who truly knows her craft…I cannot wait for her to photograph our wedding. If you’re reading this and still looking for a photographer—look no further. You’ve found the one!”

Engagement Photos at Art Hill in St. Louis

The goal: “Let’s recreate our first date, but without food poisoning…”. And that we did. That St. Louis sunset really showed off this night and created the most romantic and cinematic vibes for Jac and Saif’s engagement session.

We grabbed some pizza and Topo Chicos and headed to Art Hill to capture some magic. Jac wore this gorgeous yellow floral print a-line dress while Saif looked casual chic in his green linen button up and khakis.

Have you seen a more magical photo of folks eating pizza? This lighting y’all!!!

We giggled, twirled, and ate our way through Art Hill – capturing that dreamy golden hour light before heading out to finish dinner with some DESSERT: ice cream from Clementine’s Creamery

Y’all, Jac’s dress was everything for this session!

Engagement photos on Art Hill can look so different- each time I go back I photograph it differently.

In true Rachael fashion, sometimes I gotta get a little sunset silhouette action.

These two love ice cream – and Clementine’s in St. Louis’ Southampton neighborhood is one of their favorite places. What better way to end our night?

They grabbed their cones and headed to a table to enjoy and snuggle a bit before popping outside for a few moody photos before heading home for the night.

Cultural fun fact for you: Saif is from Jordan. Is is tradition in Jordan, when a man proposes, he will also wear a ring. Men wear the ring on their right hand ring finger, and once they get married they switch it to their left hand ring finger. LOVE!!

Creating a Unique Engagement Session

One thing I tell all my couples for both their sessions and weddings is be true to YOU! Do the things you two want. Engagement sessions are a perfect way to showcase who you are as a couple. Engagement photos create some fun memories that you’ll carry with you and your friends and family as you grow old together.

Here are some quick ideas for a unique engagement session that brings your relationship to life through your photos:

• Recreate your first date! Just like Jac and Saif did, let’s revisit your first date location to connect the past with the present.
• Do an activity that you enjoy doing together. Cooking in your kitchen, doing a puzzle, getting ice cream, going for a hike, visiting your favorite coffee shop – I could go on! This allows for comfort and ease in capturing the images that truly reflect who you are as a couple.
• Explore something new. If you’re an adventurous couple, bring me along as you explore a new city, new restaurant, or new hobby!
• Bring props, items, or pets that represent you. Champagne, cats, dogs, guitars, etc. Bring it!

Can we have more couples wear engagement rings?? Both of y’all are off limits!

I am so thank to have Jac & Saif become close friends. So close, they trust me to come along to Colorado for their elopement!

In October I will also be with them, celebrating their love with their families in Springfield, IL. I cannot be more honored that they trust me to be along for this ride with them.

If you’re wanting to recreate your own first date & get photos of it, check out my portraits page!! I would love to hang with you.

HIRE YA GIRL FOR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS