Owen & Lauren’s Engagement Shoot at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve

Some engagement sessions just *feel* like the couple — and Lauren and Owen’s morning at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve was, quite intentionally, exactly that.

These two probably take the crown for being the most outdoorsy couple I know. Lauren loves trail running, Owen loves bicycling, and their sweet pup Maki is always down to tag along. So when it came time for engagement photos, we went to the great outdoors, and not just anywhere — we went to a place that already held so much meaning, the very spot where Owen proposed. Windy Hill Open Space Preserve is one of those Bay Area gems where the trails stretch for miles through the Santa Cruz Mountains, and within minutes you’re surrounded by wide open views, fresh air, and a momentary respite from city life.

We met early and were rewarded with some truly dreamy light and a sea of fog in the valley below us. Between the rolling hills, the sweeping overlooks, and Maki happily following along, the session felt more like a a little adventure than a photoshoot. I got to explore some new trails and lookouts while Owen and Lauren laughed and walked with Maki leading the way for us.

Lauren and Owen, thank you for bringing us back to the start of this chapter. I can’t wait for your wedding next year!