Some love stories begin with a grand plan. Joe and José began with coffee at Starbucks on November 5, 2024.

From the start, there was an ease between them. José brought energy, stories, and a quick warmth that made the conversation keep going. Joe brought a calm, steady presence. Before long, they had spent hours talking, laughing, and learning the small things that make someone feel familiar.

Their attraction was immediate, but their connection became deeper in the everyday moments that followed. José was drawn to Joe’s handsome smile, freckles, and gentle way of looking after the people he loves. Joe was drawn to José’s spirit, humor, and the way he makes people feel seen.

Together, they have built a relationship that is both romantic and real.

They love travel, classical music, old photographs, good stories, and discovering new places to explore. On a Saturday, they may head out for a walk, discover a restaurant, have a drink somewhere new, or simply laugh their way through an ordinary afternoon. José has become a favorite with Joe’s family, and the life they share has grown to include Mia, their beloved dog, walks together, and summer days at the beach.

Engagement Session

For their engagement session, Bogey Creek Preserve felt like the right place to tell that story.

Located in North Jacksonville’s Pumpkin Hill area, Bogey Creek Preserve brings together moss-draped trees, coastal forest, and quiet natural trails. It gave Joe and José room to slow down, move naturally, and simply be together.

The session was not about stiff poses or trying to make them fit into someone else’s idea of engagement photos. It was about the way José leans into Joe. The way Joe watches José laugh. The way Mia completes their little family. It was about closeness, movement, humor, and the quiet moments in between.

That is what makes photographs last.

Twenty years from now, Joe and José hope these images bring them back to this season of their lives. Not only to how they looked, but to how they felt together: candid, relaxed, deeply connected, and fully themselves.

Joe Spencer and José Castro were married on December 16, 2025. Their story is a reminder that the best photographs are not about creating a perfect version of love. They are about preserving the one you already have.

Gay Couples Photographer Jacksonville, FL

Russ Bratcher Photography creates natural, story-driven engagement portraits for couples across Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, and Northeast Florida, including gay and LGBTQ+ couples who want images that feel personal, relaxed, and timeless.

Contact Russ today to inquire and book your engagement session in Jacksonville, FL and beyond.