Gina and Carlos both grew up in Las Vegas and wanted their engagement photos to embody the place they call home. Our shoot began with some sun soaked portraits at the Neon Museum, which is filled with retro, retired Vegas signs. It’s the quintessential look for vintage Vegas, and Gina’s backless, white lace dress from Debbie Carroll Designs and classy up-do by Tammy Mead gave the shoot a glamorous, old school vibe.

Afterwards, we traveled to nearby Downtown Vegas and did some more edgy, urban photos against the painted murals and abandoned buildings of a locals’ favorite area – East Fremont. Carlos could not stop snuggling her, playing with her, and making her laugh. When I first met them, he was cracking jokes in our meeting and said, “We have fun together…” After this shoot, I can clearly see that they do!

They first met in January 2011 through Carlos’s work at a nightclub inside the Hard Rock Hotel. As acquaintances, Gina would send him clients and referrals and eventually met him in person one night while celebrating a birthday at his nightclub. He asked her out to dinner and the rest is history. He proposed at Castello di Amorosa, a Tuscan styled winery in Napa that means “Castle of Love” on November 14, 2015. They had just finished a tour of the castle and were sitting outside when Carlos said, “I really want to talk to you about something but I have to tie my shoe first…” It was his excuse to ‘slyly’ get down on one knee. He pulled the ring out of his jacket pocket and popped the question. Just as Gina said yes and went to give him a kiss, a tour group came around the corner and started to cheer and applaud. That beautiful moment sound like it’s straight out of a rom-com, but it’s their true love story. I can’t wait to photograph their 2017 wedding!

Her favorite thing about him: his goofy personality and how he makes her laugh
His favorite thing about her: the way she looks at him that makes him feel safe and loved