Jennifer Lourie - Idaho Engagement Photographer

Natalie and Nate met on Hinge in the fall of 2020. “After about two weeks of texting, we finally met in person with a little help from liquid courage on Natalie’s side and encouragement from Nate’s work friends,” they said. The pair was inseparable after that and moved in together in May 2022. Then, a year and a half later, Nate popped the question (more on that in a bit!). I’m so glad I could photograph this couple’s Gold Fork River engagement session!

An Emotional Surprise Proposal

Before Nate proposed, the couple had already been discussing marriage for a while. They had even gone ring shopping! However, Nate made sure to wait in between shopping for and purchasing a ring because he knew Natalie wanted to be surprised. When he finally did buy one in June 2023, he tucked it away and began planning a spectacular proposal to coincide with Natalie’s 30th birthday in September.

He invited their friends and Natalie’s family to town for an engagement party under the guise of a surprise birthday party. When Natalie arrived at the party venue, the couple’s neighborhood clubhouse, she recognized everyone’s cars and knew something was afoot. But she didn’t realize the full extent of the surprise yet! “It started as just a normal party,” the couple said, “but then our two best friends snuck away while we were socializing and began decorating for the proposal.”

Once everything was in place, Nate asked Natalie if she wanted to take a walk. “I knew that moment,” she said. “When we walked outside, I started crying (in a good way!). As we got to the spot, he started crying too. It was perfect and we were able to celebrate with some close friends and family.”

Gold Fork River Engagement Session

Almost one year later, in July 2024, I joined Natalie and Nate in Donelly, Idaho, to photograph their engagement session! We began shooting at a scenic spot on the Gold Fork River, near the Gold Fork Hot Springs. The couple chose Donnelly as their engagement session location because of its significance to Natalie. Her family, which owns the Koskella Homestead Ranch, has resided in the area for over 130 years. The couple also enjoys huckleberry-picking in Donnelly every summer with their one-year-old black lab, Luna, who joined us for part of the session. Natalie is part-Finnish, and it’s a family tradition to make huckleberry pie!

After shooting along the river, we finished the session at Natalie’s father’s home on Lake Cascade. The property’s boat dock overlooks a stunning view of the lake and mountains, and was the perfect spot for the couple to take in a romantic sunset while I clicked away on my camera from afar. Are you and your partner seeking a photographer for an Idaho engagement session? Let’s connect! I would love to hear all about your love story, proposal, and wedding plans.