It was a gorgeous September evening when Dusty met up with Kaitlin and Austin for their engagement session and from the very first click these two exuded an amazing chemistry between each other! From there things just got better and better as they walked and laughed together amongst the mountain scenery, and even dancing into each other’s arms towards the ends!  And just wait until you hear their engagement story! From pouring rain, to digging out their car from mud, there was nothing that was going to stop Austin from following through with the cutest proposal at one of the most scenic places on earth! It is a story and session for the books and we could not be more excited for these two as they get married next month! Yay!

We cannot wait for your big day Austin and Kaitlin!

All our best, Dusty, Jenn and the Studio Girls

 

 

“ The proposal was a complete surprise!  Being together for six years, we had talked about it before and knew that we both wanted to get married, but some day down the road. That summer, Austin had been in Kansas for his internship when I mentioned that I wouldn’t mind getting married sooner. What were we waiting for?! His response was nonchalant and he just kind of said, “Why are you in such a hurry?”. That was fine with me too and I didn’t think much more of it, but it totally threw me off from suspecting anything! I figured okay, it’ll probably happen in a year or two. Little did I know that he had been saving and ring shopping the entire time that he was in Kansas. My best friend (and my Pinterest board) helped him pick out the ring. When he got home, we had a camping trip planned because its one of our favorite things to do. We went up to Flagstaff, had lunch in town, hiked into the lava caves a little, and then camped out in his truck because it was pouring rain. The next morning, we set off to leave for the Grand Canyon, except we were stuck! It had rained all night and the ground was a muddy mess. I said, “It’s okay, if we don’t have time to make it up to the Grand Canyon we can do it some other time,” but little did I know what he had planned, we were going to get there!! After about an hour of digging and trying different strategies we got out and made the trip up to the rim. It was there that after strolling along the edge and taking in the views for awhile, that he asked a tourist to take a photo for us, except it was actually a video. He got down on one knee as we stood right by the edge, and proposed. My reaction was complete surprise and happiness, along with a huge YES!! ” – Kaitlin

 

 

 

 

“ Our relationship works because we don’t work for a “fair” relationship or 50/50. We’re a team, sometimes one of us needs more support and compassion even if we’re both upset. We never let a fight settle, we always finish talking it out because we are both people who like to be right (which can make it hard to end an argument). But, even if we both think we’re right, we can at least understand how what we said or did made the other person feel. Just knowing how an action affects the other person helps. ” – Austin

 

“ Our first kiss was at Student Council camp the summer before our Junior year of high school. We both were joining student council for the first time that year and were on the retreat in Pinetop to team build and plan for the year.  From the beginning, we clicked with a few of the other members and formed a sort of group. We teamed up for a lot of the activities (unless they made us mix it up so we’d get to know other people lol) and just had so much fun together. It was on one of the last nights when everyone was cozied up in the cabin hanging out in the loft when we first kissed! ” – Kaitlin

   

 

“As far as when I first knew I was in love with him, it was more of a series of moments and feelings rather than one specific time. Just hanging out with him was easy, he’s my best friend. He was always open to trying new things together that I love, like hiking and going to dunes, but we could also just sit on the couch and do nothing and enjoy it. His cute dance moves only made me fall for him more, and I just loved everything about how he makes me feel as a person and how he continues to make me smile and laugh every day. The way he looks at me, there’s just so much love in his eyes and I knew I wanted all of that.” – Kaitlin

“ The thing I love about Kaitlin is that she can’t do anything without it being perfect. She puts all of herself into everything she does and never gives up. I have always been the person to do a good job, but usually just enough to get it done. She inspires me everyday to give more and work harder.

I also love that I can get her cute little smile whenever I want with a stupid joke or a quick tickle.” – Austin

  “The first time I said I love you to Kaitlin was around October of 2011. I was on my way home from wrestling practice (in high school) and was heading to her parents house. I was calling her to let her know I was on my way and as we ended the call it kind of slipped out. I remember being worried about scaring her off, haha. ” – Austin

Congrats you guys! We can’t wait for you big day!