Los Angeles Engagement : Melissa+Brian

They were acquaintances, often seen from the opposite sides of the groups of people they mingled with. They were friends of friends, but when Brian made an overt effort to fall in her line of sight, Melissa looked the other way. She stayed busy and poured herself into fostering friendships, Brian's included. He was–and would always be–just a friend.

Late one night, Brian asked to chat with Melissa alone. With trepid footsteps, she followed him outdoors and he handed over a carefully wrapped birthday gift. Inside she found the Transformers movie DVD. Melissa raised her eyes and scrunched her eyebrows. It's in Hebrew, he explained, you mentioned watching the movie a few years ago in Israel and wanted to have a keepsake of that memory…

Months later, after keeping him at arm's distance, Melissa let Brian in. Close, tight, forever. His patient perseverance and undying affection paid off when she agreed to go on their first date. The date turned into a proposal which will turn into a wedding this May. I was blessed to capture this amazing couple and I can't wait for their big day.

We spent the golden afternoon hours in Los Angeles and they were filled with smiles, laughter, and love the entire time…

More than anything, Melissa and Brian wanted their engagement photos to reflect their true personalities and replicate an actual date they've taken. Melissa arranged an engagement shoot at Umami Burger in LA and it was so much fun!

Brian was excited to spend the afternoon with his fiancé enjoying a burger, but admitted to being slightly less excited for registering for their wedding the following day! 😉

Melissa is one of the most driven girls I've met…when she puts her mind to something, there's no stopping her! When she contacted the team at Umami, she explained her vision and they let her use an entire half of the restaurant…a private date/photo shoot/meal all in one!

Love these two lovebirds…

A perfect meal, a perfect date, a perfect life…

I can't wait to document their wedding this May…it can't come soon enough!