Ellwood Bluffs Photoshoot | Donna+George

Couple kissing during a maternity photoshoot

“There was never a dull moment during that afternoon and I felt relaxed just being with him. Since then, I knew that it was him. 🙂 ”

George and Donna’s engagement and maternity photoshoot at the Ellwood Butterfly Preserve may have fell on a gloomy day, but these two brought their own sunshine and spunk to brighten the day. With spring in full bloom, the preserve was alive with flowers and wild grass, and the clouds created a magical backdrop, just in time for sunset photos. Enjoy browsing through their photos!

Couple walking at Coronado Butterfly Preserve.

While the two knew each other in high-school when they both lived in the Philippines, it wasn’t until they both individually moved to California that they started hanging out…

From Donna,

“When I moved to LA six years ago, I started to hang out with George and other friends from high-school. We usually went out as a group, going for weekend hikes and trying out restaurants in LA. It was then I realized that George was not who I thought he was – he was actually a funny guy with a sense of humor and the type of friend that really listens to your stories.

Back in 2014, I had a coupon for a wine tasting in Malibu and I needed a friend to accompany me. None of my girlfriends were available, but they told me that George is very much into wine tasting and so I invited him. It was then that I got to know him more -I got to see how much of a gentleman he is, how attentive he is and that he is a very kind person. It was our first time going out alone together, but there was never a dull moment during that afternoon and I felt relaxed just being with him. Since then, I knew that it was him. 🙂 “

Couple kissing during an engagement photoshoot.

It wasn’t too long after that the two got engaged…

“It was November of 2015, when George suddenly wanted for us to have a weekend staycation. He didn’t tell me exactly where we were going but he did say that we are just going to stay around LA county. I won’t turn down a time to relax, and so I packed my bags for the weekend. He also told me that we would be doing a hiking tour that weekend – which sounded fun, and weird at the same time (LOL) because we’ve hiked so many times before and I didn’t really think we needed a tour guide just to be able to hike – but I went anyway. He eventually took me to Terranea, a private resort along Rancho Palos Verdes. After checking in, we went straight to a walking path along the coast on the resort grounds, and he was telling me that we were supposed to meet the tour group in that area. Moments passed and there was still no group around, so we started walking down the path and he started to run ahead to “find the group”. I followed him, until I started to hear a violinist playing in the background – when I looked forward, George was in a corner of the walking path and a violinist was beside him. I walked towards him still puzzled at what was going on, until he got down on one knee and proposed to me.”

Couple holding each other during a maternity photoshoot at Goleta Butterfly Preserve. Husband and wife hold each other during maternity photos at Ellwood Butterfly Preserve.

The two also found out shortly thereafter they would be adding another member to their family…

“George and I are very active and we love to be outdoors and enjoy nature. We go to the gym and bike a lot, and I am the type that doesn’t get tired easily or takes naps. One Sunday, just hours after waking up, I found myself napping for 3 hours! George found it odd too, and suggested we buy a pregnancy kit just to check. I didn’t really think much of it, until the kit came back positive! We both were very happy and I kept on crying as we have been thinking of starting a family soon.

Since then, we have just been very elated with our pregnancy. Feeling all the “firsts” has been very magical – first ultrasound… first time to hear the baby’s heart beat… first time to feel the baby kick.”

Husband and wife being romantic during maternity photos at Ellwood Butterfly Preserve. The woman's maternity dress blows in the wind. Pregnant woman posing for the camera during a photoshoot. Couple holds each other during engagement photoshoot overlooking the ocean.

Considering the two’s love of nature, hiking and their engagement story, the Ellwood Butterfly Preserve and Ellwood Bluffs were the perfect location for their engagement and maternity photos.

“We chose the Butterfly preserve because the place had hiking trails and also shows the coast – which is something that’s elemental to our relationship because George and I love to hike and he proposed along the coast.”

Couple kisses on the Ellwood Bluffs. Couple admiring the ocean, while at the Ellwood Bluffs in Goleta. A silhouette is created of the couple during the sunset photos. The two will be celebrating their union shortly with an intimate wedding ceremony at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. So what’s Donna most excited about?

“I am looking forward to being with both of our families. I wanted our wedding to be family-style where everybody is comfortable and both adults and children are present because that’s what our marriage will be about – Family.”

A silhouette is created of the couple during the sunset photos at the Ellwood Bluffs.

Looking forward to being a part of your special day, George & Donna!

Donna’s hair & makeup was done by Page of Absolutely Fabulous Glamour Studio.