Orange County Engagement : Shannon+Bill

They grew up in the same town, they went to high school together, but the two year age difference kept them acquaintances. Until, that is, four years ago. After high school they went their own ways until mutual friends reconnected them and they began spending their weekends with groups of people, slowly making their way closer to each other. They went running together, they went to Lakers' games together, and somewhere along the line Shannon fell for someone she shouldn't have.

Bill made it clear that though they were dating and having a good time, marriage just wasn't for him. Sort of like a shoe that didn't fit. Shannon knew this, but his charm, humor, and joie de vivre made her gravitate into his orbit, where she circled…and waited. With the desire of being a wife one day, Shannon pulled away from Bill a bit later and began dating other guys.

Perhaps it was her absence or knowing she was out with another guy (or, as Shannon describes it, “coming to his senses and pursuing me”), Bill invited her to his birthday party and they've been together ever since. They're getting married later this year at the Virginia Country Club (with many thanks to Melanie Furata for connecting us!) and dedicating the day to the paths that led them to where they are today.

Shannon and Bill say they're each others' best friends and just by the way they interact, it's evidently true…

Shannon's only request was to have their engagement session in a field…and we'll get to Bill's request in a bit…oh, and, Shannon? RAWR.

There's something about the way Bill talks to Shannon that makes her glow. He softly pokes fun at her, but will shortly thereafter laugh in a way that makes them both come undone. It's so much fun to watch…

Shannon and Bill have expanded their family by adding Cash, a lovable dog completely smitten with his owners. The three of them are a unit, so their engagement photos wouldn't have been complete without him…

Now let's move to Bill's request for the engagement session…their beloved truck. Because of their passion for old cars, this 1956 Chevy has become one of their favorite purchases together…

Just as a the sun set against the hills of Orange County, Shannon and Bill worked it like true professionals…

Work it, boo…work it…

I'll end this engagement session with, literally, the last frame from the shoot…I pulled my Dog Whisperer moves on Cash and got him to pose. Okay, not really…he saw a squirrel, but it totally works for me.

To see more of Shannon and Bill's Orange County engagement session, feel free to CLICK HERE for a slideshow with Andrew Belle music provided by The Music Bed.