American River Engagement Session in Auburn, Ca

Rachelle and Justin started their session with a nice glass of wine (or two) and finished in the sunset of the American River Confluence.

Check out their photos below or for their full story, keep scrolling or scroll down to read their story.

Romantic setting  

When I asked Rachelle and Justin to describe themselves, they said they were “laid-back Californian with a touch of romantic flair.” This could also be kind of the perfect description of their engagement shoot! This outdoorsy, music loving California couple choose a the local spot of the American River Canyon for their natural sunset engagement shoot.

Get things started

The main thing that I want my couples to feel during their engagement session is that they’re having a fun, relaxed and natural time with their significant other. I know – not so easy with a camera in your face! That’s why a short meet-up over coffee or wine really helps to start things off on the right foot. Rachelle and Justin and I met for a wine tasting at Sip, in charming downtown Auburn. This is a great way to ease into a shoot and get things loosened up a bit!

After we chatted a bit and talked through how the session would work, we headed down the winding road to the nearby American River Canyon to get started.

California calling

Over the past months, I’ve been lucky enough to do quite a few shoots in Northern California. Not only is it my ‘home base’ here in the US, it is probably one of my favorite places to be. If there is one thing that I appreciate above all else, it’s NorCal’s amazing diversity! Misty beaches to vineyard-covered foothills to lush forest backdrops. The incredible natural settings that NorCal offers never cease to amaze me. Rachelle and Justin’s choice to shoot in the rocky river confluence of Auburn was awesome. We even had the unique No-Hands Bridge as a backdrop!

The colors and the dramatic sunset light were a dream to shoot. Rachelle’s slinky floral dress and Justin’s crisp beige shirt were the perfect look for this natural setting. They brought together their romantic vibe and the laid-back California feel so uniquely.

Planning a couples session in the foothills? Hit me up and let’s make it happen!

Sebastien Bicard is a wedding and portrait photographer based in California. He specializes in international travel and intimate weddings worldwide.

Photographer: Sebastien Bicard
Location: American River Canyon, Auburn CA