Last year I was contacted by Dalene to capture her family portraits. We met at a ranch they have in Tierra Amarilla. Their session went off without a hitch capturing beautiful moments in such a beautiful place. For this session, Josh contacted me for his family portraits. Josh told me he would be proposing to Dalene during the session and well needless to say I was beyond ecstatic!! I was beyond blessed to be there to capture such a beautiful moment. Josh and I discussed a few places that he felt would make a good setting for their session since he wanted everything to be perfect. He finally decided on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad in Chama, New Mexico. Josh and Dalene had been wanting to take their son Waylan to see all the trains so it would be perfect! We met at the train station shortly after the train had already left in hopes of missing the bigger crowds. It was such a beautiful fall morning! We all walked around and looked at all the old trains and even saw a deer as it pranced passed us! I must say that as excited as Dalene and Josh were to show their son the trains, he was not as excited. Little Waylan was not a big fan of the trains or the railroad tracks. He knew that he should not be on the tracks because that is where trains travel. It took quite a lot of convincing to get him on those tracks and near those trains. We did explain that the trains were old and for show only. We also explained that some of the tracks were no longer used and that the train had already left and would not be back for quite a while. I must say he is one smart little guy for even knowing that people should not be on train tracks!

Josh and Dalene had taken two sets of clothing for their session and Josh had already told me he planned to would propose when they put on their second outfit. The time came!

A specific area that Josh would propose at had not been planned but when Dalene mentioned an area that she really liked, I know that would more than likely be THE area! Sure enough when we walked back to that area Josh gave me his nod as he pulled the ring out of his vest. SURPRISE! Dalene was so excited! Waylon was so excited! Josh was so excited! Dalene said YES! Waylan said CONGRATULATIONS MOMMY!

Josh and Dalene, you two are wonderful both inside and out! You both are wonderful parents and Waylan is so blessed to have you both! It was so neat watching you both with Waylan and how calming you were when he was afraid of the trains and of being on the tracks as well as how reassuring you both were in telling him you would never put him in danger and would always protect him!

I am so excited for you both as you are now ENGAGED!!! Congratulations!!!

Surprise! | Engagement Session