Kyle and Jessica's Coeur d'Alene Engagement

Kyle and Jessica are like so many people in the way they met - that is, they met online. It seems that is about 75% of all the couples I photograph each year. In Jessica’s case, she had made her profile to acknowledge all the things she did - and didn’t - want in a guy. She basically said on her profile “need not apply” if you don’t hit “x, y and z categories”. In her mind, she didn’t want to waste her time meeting guys who wouldn’t be someone she would marry. Kyle wasn’t someone who hit all the marks.

Jeff and Nicola's Spring Engagement Near CDA

They met on Match.com. This isn't surprising these days, as almost everyone seems to meet online. I asked them what attracted them to each other's online profiles and I got an answer I hear a lot - the person looked "real" on the other end. In other words, they didn't look like the other person was trying to be fake, or put their best foot forward, they were just being themselves.

Hunter and Becca's Avondale Golf Club Engagement

They met at Costco. If we're really tracking things, Becca was kind of* his boss. Well, she was a supervisor when he started working. That said, Hunter told me that when he first saw her she caught his eye right away, and it became his mission to find a way to talk to her. Becca, for her part, also noticed the "cute red head" right away. The question wasn't "will they get together" but it was more "WHEN will they get together?"

Josh and Nikki's North Idaho Engagement

They met on Match.com. Just like so many couples these days, they met online (I would say about 75% of my couples met online in some form), and they hit it off. Both Josh and Nikki told me that their earlier chatting online and over text felt real - it wasn't superficial. It seemed like both of them actually cared, and wanted to have something real. This moved things forward. The problem? They lived roughly 8 hours apart.

Joel and Alyssa's Engagement on Tubbs Hill

Joel and Alyssa met at work. They were working in Buffalo New York, although neither of them were from there. Alyssa came from Michigan, and Joel had flown in from Colorado. Both were there to do some type of construction job (both are engineers), so when Alyssa showed up that day with her bright orange vest on, she wasn't really thinking she was going to meet the man she was going to marry.

Alex & Allison's Engagement at the Family Cabin

They met in class about five years ago. In both of their cases, neither one really stood out much - kind of. Allison was unique because she was a rare girl in a program filled with guys. Alex knew her from the semester before (because they had a class together) but Allison never even recognized him until they were put into a research group together. Alex told me he just figured she had a boyfriend (which was true) and so never really thought much of pursuing Allison.

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Brent Looyenga is a Spokane wedding photographer based IN SPOKANE WASHINGTON and Coeur d’Alene Idaho area. He loves people and specializes in wedding, engagement, family and senior photography. You can like Looyenga Photography on Facebook or follow them on Instagram.