UCLA Botanical Gardens Engagement

Matt and Sofia are getting married next August, but it's never too early to get engagement photos done -- especially when you can use them for your Christmas cards. Sofia was a UCLA Bruin, and when we were first talking about possible shooting locations, she mentioned her alma mater. I had only been to the school a few times, but knew its iconic brickwork buildings would provide a stellar backdrop. Add in the sentimental value to Sofia and the fact that Matt's school was about 300 miles too far away for an afternoon drive, and we had our location.

We started off in the Mathias Botanical Gardens on the eastern edge of the campus. Since the sun was still fairly high overhead, the leafy canopy softened the light, making for luscious skin tones.

 

One of my favorites. I love how the sun lit up the leaves behind them.

 

We brought along their dog Davis, who is so adorable, and a slightly more hyper stand-in for their cat Miles who had to stay at home and miss the party. Davis was going crazy in the gardens for all the squirrels -- which is part of why in my mind, she's the spitting image of Dug from the movie UP in both looks and instantaneous love for everyone she meets.

 

 

 

 

 

The gorgeous arches of Royce Hall.

 

Just as the last light was disappearing, we made our way up to the sculpture gardens and took this long exposure in front of one of the more modern elements of UCLA's epic architecture.