Some sessions just flow and Olivia and Rob’s engagement session at Papago Park was exactly that.
They met me at one of my most popular Phoenix locations in the valley, Papago Park, and if you’ve ever photographed there, you know why it’s a favorite. Red rock backdrops, desert textures, mountain views, and so much variety packed into one spot. It’s the kind of place that lets a session feel both adventurous and intimate without ever feeling rushed.
Olivia and Rob currently live in Atlanta, Georgia, but Rob’s family is here in Phoenix. Since they were already visiting, they thought, why not knock out engagement photos too? (Honestly, I love when couples do this…travel + photos is always a yes in my book.)
And here’s something that makes their story extra special in 2025: they met in real life.
No apps. No swiping. No “we matched online.”
They met in Bloomington, Indiana while working for State Farm. Rare, right?
Funny enough, they both still work in insurance today, but now they’re competitors. One with State Farm and the other with Allstate. I love that little detail because it says so much about them: same world, different lanes, still choosing each other.
From the moment we started, this couple was loving, relaxed, and genuinely easy to work with. They trusted me fully, leaned into the experience, and let themselves just be. And multiple times during the session they said,
“Thank you so much for making this easy for us.”
That right there? That meant everything to me.
Because that’s exactly what sessions with Memories by Candace are supposed to feel like. Easy. Comfortable. No pressure to perform. No awkward posing panic. Just guidance, movement, and space to connect.
They opted for an outfit change (which I always love), and it worked perfectly for this location. One look felt more romantic and soft, and the other leaned into the adventurous desert vibe that Papago Park does so well (and the casual outfit allowed us to hike a little more). Outfit changes are such a simple way to add variety and tell a fuller story without needing a second location.
Between the scenery, their connection, and how effortlessly they showed up for each other, this session was such a reminder of why I love engagement photography. When clients trust the process and feel taken care of, the images reflect that every single time.
Olivia and Rob, thank you for choosing me, for trusting me, and for reminding me that love stories don’t need to be complicated to be powerful.