When I first met with Kaitlyn & Juan, I could tell right away that we were going to hit it off. They both love the outdoors and love camping, fishing, hiking and hunting. We spoke at length about our love of spending time in the woods. When it came time for their engagement photos, I knew they were going to pick an Oregon outdoor adventure engagement session. They both grew up in Prineville, OR, a small town about 35 miles northeast of Bend. When planning their session, I told them to pick a place that was special to them. Naturally, they chose the beautiful Ochoco National Forest. They took me to an amazing secret location and brought along some fun props to use. I love how much thought they put into their engagement photos!

An Oregon outdoor adventure engagement session in the Ochoco National Forest. 

The story of how Kaitlyn & Juan met is super cute. The first time they ran into each other was at a volleyball game at a park. Kaitlyn, admittedly not the best volleyball player, manged to hit the ball directly into Juan. Probably due to some embarrassment, they never exchanged names, but both felt a connection right away. It took several more months before they saw each again. It was Kaitlyn’s birthday and she was celebrating with friends out at a bonfire when she spotted Juan. After a few hours of both passing glances at each other, Juan decided to approach Kaitlyn and introduce himself. During their conversation, the music was turned up and they struggled to talk. Juan decided to seize the opportunity and grabbed Kaitlyn to dance. They’ve been dancing and having fun together ever since!

It was a typical early June day with heavy clouds and a few raindrops, making this meadow pop with wildflowers. 

Juan decided to propose to Kaitlyn this past winter. He planned a trip to visit their parents with a pit stop to play in the snow right in the very spot they shared their first kiss. He pulled the truck over and turned on the song, “Marry Me” by Jason Derulo, Kaitlyn’s favorite artist! Then they jumped out of the truck and had a snowball fight. He told her to read what was written in the snow, got down on one knee and popped the question. All of this is recorded on video too, thanks to the Go-Pro Juan had set up on the front of his truck!

The woods are where Kaitlyn & Juan feel most at home. They are so my people! 

Wherever these cuties are, they are always having fun! They are two of the most laid back, down-to-earth people I have had a chance to meet and when they say they believe in enjoying every second, minute, hour and day they are given, I absolutely believe them! I seriously couldn’t get them to stop laughing, smiling, cuddling, kissing and teasing each other. Love truly is the sweetest thing!

 What better way to spend your Oregon outdoor adventure engagement session than to roast marshmallows over a campfire? 

Now that the day was turning into early evening, it was time to get the campfire going and roast marshmallows. Juan got the fire cooking while Kaitlyn got the roasters and wrote their wedding date on the ends of each gooey treat. As the fire began to grow, they popped their marshmallows over the flames. Juan liked to scorch his until it was charred black. It resulted in the stickiest, gooiest mess, but Kaitlyn used it as an opportunity to plant a big kiss on Juan’s lips and steal his marshmallow from him!

Since these two spend so much time outdoors, it was only fitting to include their truck that takes them on all their adventures! A perfect date night includes throwing together random food items for a picnic, driving out to the woods on a summer evening to watch the sunset and then bask under the stars looking for their favorite constellations. This is what love is and Kaitlyn & Juan are so in love!

After the wedding, these two plan to honeymoon with a hunting trip in the woods. They are getting married on opening day of hunting season and agreed that they had to go for their honeymoon, as it’s what they both love to do.

Seriously, I can’t wait for this wedding in October at Dee Bar Farms in Powell Butte, OR. Kaitlyn & Juan, you two are perfect together and I just know you are going to have an amazing wedding day!

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Hey, I’m Erica. A Bend, OR wedding photographer for sentimental, free-spirited and natural couples that love to celebrate outdoors. I am now booking 2018 weddings and would love to chat with you if you are getting married next year. Drop me an email and let’s connect. I’d love to meet you for a coffee or beer.