When a couple LOVES the great outdoors as much as Kara + Pete do, it’s a must that it be the backdrop for their engagement photos. We like to think your engagement session is the perfect opportunity to play around a bit + have fun! And it sounds like these two agree with that notion! For them it was only a matter of finding the perfect spot, so when their talented photographer, Christy Cassano-Meyer, presented them the idea of hiking Angels Rest in the Columbia River Gorge (almost 5 miles and 1500 feet of elevation!) they were nothing but excited and ready for the adventure! And the results are nothing but stunning. We’re sure Kara + Pete will cherish these photos for years + years to come!
From Christy, The day of the hike they were total troopers! We drove the hour outside of the city of Portland together ready for the hike. They packed two changes of clothing each, plus makeup for Kara, and we began the climb. After reaching the top, they put on their first outfit, but after taking a few photos we realized the sun was still too high in the sky. So, we hiked down halfway to the forested area, changed into the second outfit and snapped away. After that, we climbed back up to the top!! It was closer to sunset now and after another outfit change we caught the last hour of daylight. The view is stunning, and these will forever be some of my favorite photos ever taken! Oh, and by the way, we stayed up there so long we hiked down almost entirely in the dark. It was a pretty awesome day.
Such a gorgeous spot!
Kara shares how she + Pete met and their super sweet proposal story below:
Pete and I met on a streetcar in Portland, OR. He was on his way to have knee surgery due to a backpacking injury and I struck up a conversation with him about why he was carrying crutches. After chatting, we realized we were both going back to school to become Physician Assistants. For months, we were simply friends, classmates and study buddies, but at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve we shared our first kiss.
I had lived in New York City, a place close to my heart, prior to moving to Portland. Pete contacted family and close friends in secret to help coordinate an engagement dinner party at The Dutch restaurant in SoHo months before he proposed. Still in Portland, Pete proposed one evening on the iconic Hawthorne Bridge before whisking me a away on a flight to NYC. It was an unforgettable surprise to show up to dinner across the country and be greeted by everyone I love.
End Note: Our hard work has paid off! A few weeks ago, we were both accepted to the same Physician Assistant program in Southern California. We will be starting school this August and will marry in 2015.
Congrats on everything Kara + Pete! And best wishes from all of us at GWS!
photography: Christy Cassano-Meyer // location: Angels Rest Columbia River Gorge in Portland, Oregon
What a stunning engagement shoot! I would love to know where Kara’s short patterned dress is from – it is beautiful! Thanks!
When I pinned the GORGEOUS image, the reference came up “Lake,” but this is in the Columbia Gorge and that is the Columbia River =) Saving this brilliant idea for my adventurous daughter’s engagement photos in the next couple years! Thank you!
These images are breathtaking! Congratulations Kara + Pete!! Your story is incredible. :)
I would love to know where the white dress is from!? Very simple and lovely.
Such a very adorable and delightful photography. Awesome thanks for shared. I Like it.
This shoot is very wonderful! But my feet are tingling. Oh, my god. I feel like I’m gonna fall off those rocks.
crazy good, awesome shots Christy
Wow, what a beautiful place it is, I like it.
Please can I find out where Kara’s white dress is from??
This top mountain view ist priceless!!! What a stunner! LOVE the images up there!!!!
Lovely engagement shoot!
My stomach dropped a few times while I was looking through these. Absolutely stunning.
I love her earthy dress. It’s perfect with the location. And those images by the cliff…absolutely stunning, breathtaking and jaw dropping!
Love the lighting in these. A little wind is always great for shoots.
http://www.redplainsphotography.com
wow wonderful pic and lovely nature background
absolutely wow
I liked the dress so much. The couple look great together.
Wow, these are some great shots! I’d love to know exactly where in the Gorge these were taken, I doubt I’ll ever take any clients there but I want to visit this spot just to see the vistas and take some photos of my own. Unfortunately about all I can tell for sure is that they were taken on the OR side of the river and likely on the eastern part of the Gorge, I’ll need to study some the photos and maps to see if i can narrow things down a bit.