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California Northern Coast Session

Asking strangers to model!

By Ashleigh Cropper

March 30^th, 2018

I rarely, if ever have done this but something in me said, "go for it!" For Christmas while living in Oregon for the month, I told my husband all I wanted as a gift was a night or two out along the Northern California coast and Redwoods. It's only a few hours from where we grew up, and I just missed that scenery so much!

One evening as we sat along Crescent City's beach watching a gorgeous sunset, the cutest couple walked by us heading to the water. They were really, really cute guys! I could tell he was so excited to be with her! I didn't know their story yet, but it was a heart melting one!

I thought about it for two seconds, "should I go ask if I could take a couple images of them? It's gorgeous out, the sun is setting...who wouldn't want a couple pictures!?" Next thing I know, I am trying to explain to them that I'm not a creeper, but just thought they were sweet, that I'm a real professional photographer, and would love to send these images to them...

As you can tell from the images above, they said yes! We played along the beach for a little while. What you can't see is my dog June running next to them trying to play too! As the sun set we just talked for a while and they share such a sweet story with me. Will is in the military and was stationed in Osaka for a while. That was where he met Christine. They became a couple out there for a few years, but then Will was stationed somewhere else and had to move away. But they have kept their relationship going! Christine had just flown out to LA, where Will met her and they were driving the whole coast line together. He wanted to show her how beautiful the West Coast is. Their ultimate destination was to Seattle to introduce Christine to his parents! I mean, does it get any sweeter than that?!

I honestly didn't think I would hear much from them after we met. I had Will's email and sent the images to him. But they found me on social media and Christine reached out staying how grateful she was for these images! Then I hear from Will and how special their trip was, and they are grateful for a little memory from it. When I hear these kinds of responses, it just makes me incredibly glad I got the guts to go talk to them, and be able to share my talent with these two!