Tracey + Andre // Hotel Valencia Engagement Session

Every session has a story behind it, and this one with Tracey and her fiancé is a perfect example of how unexpected moments can lead to something truly meaningful.

Tracey originally reached out because her engagement photographer had canceled on her last minute. She was understandably stressed, but she knew exactly what she wanted—photos at the beautiful Hotel Valencia River Walk in downtown San Antonio. We quickly scheduled the session for 6 PM, aiming to take advantage of that magical golden hour light. And let me tell you, the light did not disappoint.

The golden tones bouncing off the River Walk architecture mixed with the soft glow of ambient light created the perfect setting. I added some flash here and there to balance things out, and the combination gave us vibrant, romantic images with a documentary feel. It was relaxed, intimate, and absolutely gorgeous.

What made this session even more special? A couple of weeks later, Tracey reached out again—this time to ask me to photograph her wedding. That trust and connection are exactly what I value most in my work.

Here are some of my favorite images from Tracey and her fiancé’s engagement session at Hotel Valencia. I hope you enjoy them as much as I loved creating them.