El Dorado Nature Center Engagement / Maya + Brian

I was so connect to Maya and Brian when I met them during the meeting. They both had tears in their eyes when I asked what they love about each other most. They said it is so special to be fortunate enough to marry your best friend. This is why I love what I do. I think we were all crying by the end of the meeting.

We had such a fun Long Beach Shoot and I was happy we got to hit up so many locations. We started the shoot at El Dorado Nature Center which was gorgeous. They then introduced me to a new hip spot called the Hanger with a bunch of cool eateries. It was so cool to take photos here and we got yummy BOBA! What a treat. The shoot ended at Shoreline Village Park as we watched the sunset over the lagoon. My heart was so full after hanging out with Maya and Brian.

Love Story:

Brian and Maya’s love story started the first week of college in 2009 when they fatefully became Chem lab partners.

They bonded over their shared Berkeley struggles, an interest in basketball, and Pasta Wednesdays at the dining commons. During that time, they were both in relationships with other people, so the timing was not yet right. 

Over the years, as their other relationships fizzled out, Brian and Maya started to spend much more time together running, cooking, and attempting to study.  As simple as it was, Maya learned the true way to Brian’s heart was to cook chicken katsu and he forever became hers.

They became “official” in 2012 when Brian transitioned out of the friend zone. From there, their relationship continued to grow as they graduated from college and moved down to LA. They’ve deepened their love for each other through the support of family and friends. 

They became engaged when Brian surprised Maya back in Berkeley in December 2018. They took their engagement photos around Long Beach, where they plan to get married.

Maya and Brian enjoy cooking (but mostly eating), spending quality time with friends and family, hosting game nights, doing physical therapy things, and basically being silly.