He moved to the U.S. in 2007 and just a few years later, she made a 1-year commitment with her job to transplant to New York. It was there, in the upper corner of the states, that they met at work. He says he knew she was the one because she was always open with him and didn’t hide her feelings. When she introduced him to her parents a few months later, he fell in love with them and, in some ways, the rest is history.

After dating for several years and moving back to Iowa, where Brooke is from, they planned a trip overseas to visit Zhas’ family. Zhas decided they should stop in Europe for a few days before heading into Central Asia so they chose London as their vacation destination & extended layover stop. He took along the engagement ring he had picked out for her and proposed to her at the London Tower Bridge.

I met Brooke & Zhas for their Palisades engagement session and loved seeing their friendship, love, and respect for one another.

Brooke’s mother passed away several years ago and gave her wedding ring to Brooke. Brooke asked that I photograph it along with her engagement ring.