In short, Marilyn and Jowel are super cool but if you told them that, they wouldn’t believe you, and that's what makes them equal parts awesome and adorable. If you’re lucky enough to be one of their buddies on Instagram, you’ll see that the love they between them overflows to their families and friends.

You’d also see that they have a POWERFUL selfie game; we don’t mean that they’re really good at holding a camera at arm’s length; we’re talking more like a low angel, from behind looking up at the AT&T Park signage at Willie Mays Gate, in Giants jerseys shot on a timer. There was no doubt in our minds that they were going to be great on camera, though as we grew to know them during our first chats, they didn’t feel the same way, despite our strongest suggestion to the opposite. We’re proud to say we were right. They great for us this session.

During our first chats, we grew to be fast friends, and when we discussed what they saw for themselves for these photos, they wanted different while nodding to the life they've started and shared in and around the Altamont Pass, Livermore and Del Valle Regional Park.

This ended up being an inspired choice, allowing us to step away from our usual work with motifs of visual density and geometry, to a situation where to best showcase the locale was to emphasize scale and space. It’s a testament to their brilliance as a couple they despite the power of their surroundings, they still shone brightest. Working with them through the wind turbines, wooden overpasses, and unexpectedly green fields allowed us to get to know them, and we loved everything about we found. We learned firsthand how so many people could love and support them; they’re just that great of people.

Congratulations to Marilyn and Jowel on their engagement, and we have to thank them even more for giving us the honor of being there for their wedding on the Philippine resort island, Boracay, early next year. If these photos are any indication, it’s going to be a great time.