From the first email Chelsea wrote to me, I knew her and John were just a little extra special. A zookeeper, a scientist, and a love that is a perfect example of how sometimes opposites attract. She’s a little on the wild side; he’s more conservative. Their story is a lyric that can be taken straight out of a love song.
I knew Chelsea worked at the Oakland Zoo and when she asked me to come to Oakland for her engagement session…well let’s just say she had me a “I want to take pictures with my tortoises and lemurs”. In case you didn’t know already, I am a HUGE animal lover. We have our own little menagerie at home that consists of two kids, three dogs, a cat and a chinchilla (yes, I did just categorize the kids as animals, you’ll just have to trust me on this one). So obviously, I was beyond excited for the opportunity to capture this beauty in her natural setting…of course I’m talking about the tortoise, although as you’ll soon see, Chelsea is a total knock-out herself.
And as if that wasn’t enough, as an extra treat Chelsea and John drove me out to an amazing location for sunset images after the zoo. But don’t worry, we were not without a furry friend in tow as Chelsea and John brought their blue pit bull to get in on the fun.
Just for the record, this is officially a winter session, and the bay should have been covered in fog and/or rain. But it was warm, sunny, and beautiful…just like these two. I can’t wait for their wedding this summer. Did I tell you it’s got a zoo theme and Chelsea is growing her own flowers just for the wedding? Oh yeah, I told you these guys were special.
Nice composition with the dancers in the back too! 
What an absolutely fun engagement session! Beautiful sunset on the bay too.
What an awesome place to have an engagement session, you certainly rocked it!
Awesome. First silhouette is killer!!!
Great pics! Where did they take you for the sunset pics? Beautiful location….thanks for sharing!
This is whole set is incredible!! How cool are those Zoo shots! And I really love love the silhouette city ones at the end!
These are totally awesome!
Hot damn, those final shots with the sunset is amazing. Love the Oakland Zoo!
some really amazing images in here
Amazing locations. I can’t believe they let you shoot so close to the animals. Great images here well done.
Neat! I love that you got to hang out at a zoo. This is officially the first time I’ve seen an engagement session with both tortoises and lemurs.
I love this image! http://www.teresakphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Oakland_Engagement_Session_21.jpg
That’s so natural and adorable and full of life!
Wow, these are amazing Teresa! I can’t believe they’re allowed so close to the animals! So cool
wow, what an exciting shoot. amazing how many cool shots there are!
Photo session at the zoo?! So awesome! Mega like for the turtle!
What a fun idea for an engagement shoot!
Great set – I love the animal shots, and the sunset ones are so so beautiful!
Cool engagement shoot!!
Amazing – Great set of photos – They look such a fun couple!