Sparks Lake Summer Camping Engagement Session in Bend, OR

I was so stoked to meet these two in real life. Nicole and I have been internet friends for a while now, and I’ve loved following her and her fiancé’s travels as they roam around in their RV, hopping from one beautiful place to the next. Finally getting to hang out in person felt like meeting up with old friends. We played around in the water, took the paddle board out for a spin, and ended the evening watching the sun melt into the horizon — the perfect end to a slow, golden camping night.

Why Camping Sessions Are My New Favorite Thing

There’s something magical about photographing couples in the wild — not on a strict timeline, not rushing to the next pose, but simply existing together in a place they love. Over the years I’ve documented proposals on mountaintops, elopements deep in national parks, and post-wedding adventures along the coast… but lately, my heart keeps coming back to one kind of session:

Camping sessions.

The slow evenings.
The crackling fire.
The dirt-on-your-jeans, hair-smelling-like-smoke kind of romance.

What Exactly Is a Camping Session?

A camping session is basically an adventure session with no pressure — just me third-wheeling your perfect little night under the stars. I join you at your campsite and we spend a few hours documenting whatever feels true to the two of you:

• Paddle boarding on a quiet lake

• Hiking to a viewpoint

• Gathering firewood or building your campfire

• Cooking dinner together

• Playing cards or your favorite camp game

• Snuggling up in your camp chairs as the sun drops

• Throwing sticks for your dogs (yes, absolutely bring them)

• Making s’mores under a sky full of stars

It’s not about posing or performing — it’s about photographing you in your element, doing the things you actually love to do together. Camping sessions are my favorite because they give space for real moments. You’re not worried about outfits, timelines, or perfect hair. You’re focused on each other. And when people relax, that’s when the magic happens.

Where We Can Go

Anywhere. Truly.
A hidden forest spot. A lakeside campsite. A desert overlook. A national park. A patch of BLM land you two discovered on a road trip. If it matters to you, I want to be there with a camera and a sense of adventure.

What Makes These Photos Special

The photos end up feeling like a visual time capsule of one of your favorite kinds of nights. Instead of staged “smile here” moments, you get images that feel lived-in and full of story — the kind of gallery you can look back on years from now and remember: Oh yeah, that was us. That was our life. That was such a good season.

Let’s Go Camping Together

If you’ve been wanting photos that feel personal, nostalgic, and a little wild — this is your sign. Let’s grab the headlamps, load up the cooler, and head somewhere beautiful.

I’ll bring the camera.
You bring the adventure.

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