Amanda + Jacob | Soda Creek Campground

Rolling Storms & Taking a Chance

From Downpours to Golden Hour at Soda Creek Campground

When Amanda and Jacob booked their Soda Creek Campground engagement session, none of us expected Mother Nature to put on such a dramatic show. All afternoon, thunderstorms rolled across Bend, lightning lit up the sky, and rain poured down in sheets. We debated whether the shoot would even happen, but decided to go for it. As we drove toward the mountains, the storms followed—until suddenly, they didn’t. Just ten minutes from Soda Creek Campground, the skies cleared, revealing the perfect summer evening. The payoff? Crisp mountain air, glowing light, and one of the most unforgettable sunsets I’ve seen all year.

Dramatic silhouettes of people on mountaintops against a sunset sky create a series of stunning landscape photographs.

Amanda & Jacob’s Story

Amanda and Jacob’s story is full of adventure and happy surprises, much like their Soda Creek Campground engagement session. Jacob had planned to propose during a trip to Nashville, but the week before, Amanda suggested a hike to Toketee Falls. Standing together at the base of the falls, Jacob realized the moment was too perfect to wait. He fashioned a ring from twigs and grass, got down on one knee, and proposed right there. For two people who thrive on exploring, laughing, and making memories together—whether in the woods, out with friends, or cooking at home—Soda Creek felt like the perfect spot to capture the next chapter of their story.

Trusting the Process

One of the best things Amanda and Jacob brought to their Soda Creek Campground engagement session was trust. They let me take the lead, listened to my suggestions, and stayed open to trying whatever I threw at them—whether that meant shifting to chase the best light or simply letting a moment happen naturally. They believed I’d capture the real them, and that trust paid off in spades. The result? Photos that don’t just look incredible, but feel like who they are.

Golden Hour Perfection

By the time golden hour hit, Soda Creek Campground was showing off. Warm light spilled across the grassy meadows, the mountains glowed in the background, and the air felt calm after the earlier chaos of the storm. Amanda and Jacob relaxed into each other, laughing, moving, and simply enjoying the view. Their connection was effortless, and the location only amplified it. As the sun dipped behind the peaks, we wrapped up knowing we’d captured something real—an engagement session that was as beautiful and adventurous as the couple themselves.