Valerie and Jason first met during the first Pop Austin art event on east 5th at Fair Market in October 2014. They learned that they both grew up in the same area, and left good impressions on each other.  Valerie probably thought they would never meet again, but Jason was so smitten by Valerie that he was secretly trying to facilitate a second encounter through a mutual friend.  They wouldn’t meet again until 12 months after their introduction.  By chance, Jason ran into Valerie at Jeffry’s restaurant, where they were reacquainted.  After this meeting, they connected via email and Valerie brought Jason onboard for a fundraising event, where they shared their first dance.  From there, a deluge of romance ensued.  

On the Saturday morning of the 2017 Memorial Day Weekend,  Jason had a surprise for Valerie.  He told her that he had two presents for her, and she guessed that it was probably coffee and a breakfast taco.  She was very surprised to find that the first gift was a small, hand-painted matchbox that read “You’re my perfect match”.  She had fancied to collect one like it at an art exhibit organized by Jason last summer.  She was so distracted first gift, she completely forgot there was a second one.  Valerie turned to find Jason holding a ring box.  First she asked to touch it, then she requested him to propose over and over in different accents.  She commanded Alexa to play Celebration by Kool & the Gang, to which they danced and cried.  

Jason and Valerie’s engagement shoot was so fun!  We wanted the shoot to be relaxed but also intimate so we started inside their apartment, where they played cards and recreated an old photo of Valerie’s parents.  After that, we took to the streets of East Austin for a little walking and shooting.  

Thank you, Valerie and Jason, for picking me as your photographer, this shoot was so unique and fun!  I absolutely cannot wait for your wedding day!