Love and nature – what better combination is there? Nicole and Luke’s nature engagement session was a fairytale. The lighting was perfect, the scenery was beautiful, and the weather was beautiful, but Nicole and Luke’s love outshone it all. This quiet shoot in nature was the ideal way to capture the love between this adorable and introverted couple.

First comes love…

Technically, Nicole and Luke met through tinder – they both swiped right! However, they met in person at a party during their junior year in college. It was out of character for either of them to meet up, but they ended up having a lot in common. They had a j-term class, and that is where they really got to know each other better. Since then, they have fallen even more in love. Nicole loves how patient Luke is and how he always puts others before himself. She says that he knows how to cheer her up and does the sweetest things for her on a daily basis. Similarly, Luke is head over heels for Nicole’s kind character and her ability to be herself when she is around him. He has also said that she pushes him to be the best version of himself. These lovebirds complement each other so perfectly!

Both Nicole and Luke are a little introverted, so their ideal night is spending time together at home rather than out at bars. Besides spending time at home, they also love to go on walks or hikes – hence the nature engagement shoot! It was moments like these that led Luke and Nicole to know that they wanted to spend their lives together. Nicole knew that it was meant to be when Luke was able to teach her to play guitar. Although she had owned a guitar for years, she had basically given up how to play before Luke was able to help her. Luke knew Nicole would be his wife when she got permission (not an easy task) to stay with him over New Year’s Eve shortly after they met. How sweet is young love!

…then comes the proposal!

Over the summer, Nicole’s parents gave her with a diamond ring that had been her grandpa’s. Her parents said that her grandpa wanted her to have it. Of course, they also hinted that the diamond could be used in an engagement ring. *Wink Wink!* When Nicole returned to Peoria, she showed Luke the ring and they discussed getting married. Because Luke is more traditional, he wanted to have the ring made for his future bride and ask her himself before they made it official. On a beautiful day in November, Luke surprised Nicole and proposed at Giant Oak Park in Peoria where she really wasn’t expecting it. Obviously, she said yes!

To celebrate their commitment, we had an outdoorsy nature engagement shoot, and it was wonderful. Nicole and Luke only had eyes for each other; they smiled and laughed the entire time. Combining the beautiful landscape and their undeniable love made for an unforgettable session and adorable photos. Can’t wait to hear their wedding bells!

To see similar engagement sessions, check out Brooke and Adam’s Outdoor Engagement or Anna and Nick’s Outdoor Engagement.