Jenna & Haydn

I first fell in love with today’s engagement shoot when I saw images of a clearly very much in love couple dancing below festoon lights after dark. I am a firm believer that lights can magic just about anything up and when it comes to an engagement session, which rarely needs much magic, it adds a little touch of sparkle – as evident through every image of this luxe twilight engagement shoot captured by Israel Baldago.

The shoot took place at the beautiful Mandalay House and Garden, in the Adelaide Hills. Jenna remarking “We let our amazing photographer pick the location, and we just had fun with it. The venue had a luxurious and upscale feel, so we wanted to play with that. Initially, when I first saw the venue, I thought of “Gatsby” so we ran with that.”

On her future husband, Jenna tells “He is kind, smart and handsome. He works his butt off for us, and always comes home with a smile on his face. He makes me feel so loved, cared for and protected, and he can always make me laugh.”

On Jenna, Haydn remarks “She is kind, loving, patient and gentle. She has all of the qualities that I lack, and, while I work hard, I can tell she will be the glue that will hold our family together as a loving unit.”

Haydn proposed at the Botanic Gardens – a complete surprise for the bride. She tells  “We were at a family brunch and Haydn was being extra whiny and distracted – little did I know he had the ring his pocket! Once we got into the car after he made us leave so he could “go home for a sleep” he looked at me and asked if I wanted to go for a drive. I knew then what was happening, and had an anxious car trip to the Botanic Gardens where he made a picnic and popped the champagne and the big question!”

Haydn adding ” I knew that today was the day, and had the ring in my pocket. I was madly (but secretly) scrolling through Google Streetview, looking for a nice tree that we had driven past on a “hills” drive some time ago. When I couldn’t find it, I picked the Botanic Gardens in the Adelaide Hills, literally hours before the event. I’d never even been there before, but how perfect it turned out”

“Israel makes us both feel so relaxed. We really likes how open he is to discussing what we like and don’t like, and talking through his suggestions and ideas. His photos capture so much about us and our relationship. We had so much fun, which is awesome for two people not familiar or comfortable in front of the camera.”