Last week I had the privilege of flying to California… Huntington Beach to be exact and there I met Elly and Tyler (more commonly referred to as Tyluh). Elly and I have been in touch for several months now about her wedding next year but late this Summer she decided she’d love to have me come out and do engagement pictures for them before Tyler deployed for Afganistan for his second tour of duty.
It’s the most time I’ve ever spent in Southern Cali and I’ve gotta say- I absolutely LOVED it! Elly and her entire family were super sweet and Californians in general are far more polite, kind and helpful than I’d imagined they would be. Maybe it’s just the “Southern hospitality” in Southern California.. but all I gotta say is it’s been a long time since I’ve seen strangers be so helpful and polite. (ok with the exception of blaring their horns while driving down the freeway…)
Elly and Tyler are such a sweet couple. They met via mutual friends and it was just before his first tour of duty that they officially started dating. So they’ve been through one deployment and they face yet another in 7 days… except for this time they’re engaged and are getting married next August!!
These two are all smiles and giggles when they are together and they make the most of every minute they share… they place a special value on spending time together- such is the life of a Marine… his job commonly takes him out into the field for training for weeks at a time… so anytime they share is extra special.
Their care and respect they hold for one another runs deep. I know deployment was weighing heavy on their minds- but regardless of what’s ahead of them they are strong and they’ll make it through together. Last time he was overseas they didn’t have internet and the phone calls home were limited… so I promised them I’d deliver these images as quickly as possible. I want to make sure Tyler has a chance to load them all into his Iphone so anytime he misses his girl… he can admire her sweet smile and know she’s at home waiting… planning for the day they say ” I do.”
We traveled to Camp Pendleton just North of San Diego and then hit up the beach at Oceanside as well. It was a pretty cloudy and cool day but I’m in love with the moments and memories we captured!
Just in case you wondered how to get a Marine to run… you just place him on the breaker with waves crashing… and he’ll quickly scoot out of the way to avoid getting soaked!
This was so them… he just picks her up and spins her around and they giggle and laugh… it’s so cute!
Love this.
Really love this…
awww how I wish I lived closer to the beach!
After we finished on base we headed over to Oceanside to find the Pier…
I really love this series of images…
They are just so natural and happy together it made taking their pictures soooo easy! Love these two!
So I asked Tyler to step back behind Elly- but you see he can’t stand not to be near her… so instead of listening he willingly “broke the rules” and kidnapped her… totally spontaneous and simply hilarious!
Elly- you are GORGEOUS!
I’m in love.
I love that these two trusted me enough to let their hearts shine through… these pictures are so full of emotion it’s like you can see right through to their hearts… so much passion and so much LOVE.
I can’t help but think of the Notebook when I see this picture.
Elly and Tyluh… thank you so much for trusting me enough to capture such beautiful pictures of the love you guys share! You guys have such a beautiful future ahead of you… I can’t wait to see where life leads! Part 2 and 3 coming soon!! :)
To see their full gallery of pictures please click here.
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