Remember when Lane Hersha I drove four hours for a blind shoot with a girl he had never met, and the photos were magical?

Four months later, Hersha and Baleigh Richards, the romantic hopeful he decided to meet in their respective searches for love, catch up with PEOPLE to share an exclusive update on the status of their relationship following their second photo appointment. , again shot by Traci Hume, in October.

While the decision to do a second shoot stemmed in part from their increased interest in each other following their immediate connection when they first met in July, the couple told PEOPLE that they also wanted to “do a little update” to those who invested in their fairy tale story.

“People are really interested and really liked the story… It was great,” Richards says, noting that they have since been contacted by several producers about the idea of ​​a reality TV show . “I thought it would get a little attention, but nothing like what actually happened,” adds Hersha.

Hume was also positively impacted by the outcome of the viral spread. Not only have his views and followers increased on social media, but his photography business has also exploded following his viral success.

“It was back-to-back sessions,” Hume shares, noting that she was also contacted by producers about using her concept as a potential storyline. “It felt like a story versus blind shoots (which) are just awkward encounters…people are really in love with this one.”

The Oregon-based couple’s optimistic innocence and obvious chemistry visible in the first photos – supported by the enchanting environment around them – create a vibe like no other. However, they had been “talking since” their first meeting, which got them excited about the second round of filming.

“We know each other,” Richards says of the differences between filming the second time and the first. “He and I are really comfortable with each other…Not a lot of nerves.”

However, Richards says there were nerves “in a different way” this time around due to filming involving horseback riding. As Hersha jokes, “It would have been nice to do an extra lap before we did the shoot.”

Richards recalls, “I was like, ‘Don’t let this man get knocked off this horse now! » Regardless, Hersha – who has “on and off” experience with horseback riding – says, “It was still a lot of fun.”

About the shoot, Hersha shares that “it was definitely the same feeling as the first one, except the horses did a little work.” He explains: “It was about trying to get them to cooperate and also act as a model. It just doesn’t go as well.”

Filming took place at Hearthaven Ranch in White City, Oregon, a special place for Richards, who previously worked there as a riding instructor.

During the initial photo shoot, Hume insisted on posing his models “a little more intimately” based on their “physical and emotional attraction” upon first meeting, despite first date jitters. This time, she says “they were a lot more comfortable around each other,” which influenced how she organized the shots.

“You can see it in the photos,” praises Hume. “The first one looked like engagement photos, but this one…almost like a married couple,” she says of the western-themed photos. “There was this nice vibe throughout…everything was smooth.”

And they did indeed ride off into the sunset. “I was trying to hurry because the sun was going down… everything was really good,” Hume says, emphasizing the couple’s “bond” that is evident in the final shots.

No acting was necessary for this photoshoot, since Richards and Hersha were together, if that wasn’t clearly indicated in the images. “During the second shoot of the update, there was no label. We were still dating,” she says.

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Since the blind photoshoot went viral in July, the couple and Hume have been bombarded with messages from supportive viewers asking for an update on the status of their relationship in the months since. Now they are ready to share.

“We have some bad news for viewers,” says Richards. “I’m so sorry. We decided that a friendship would be the best path for us after the fact. We are both seeing other people now, but we are so, so happy with the experience that came out of the experience. the whole situation.”

She adds: “Overall, we got a good friendship out of it.” Hersha agrees: “It was fun. It was fun.”

There is, however, a small twist in the plot. “He was dating my friend,” Richards adds, noting that she’s “totally cool” with it. “We just went to a group outing and they started vibing.”

“My friend is an absolutely amazing girl…and I think Lane is quite the gentleman, so it worked out,” Richards continues, adding, “Platonic would be the best route for us…and that’s what that happened.”

Still, Richards and Hersha encourage others to try blind photo shoots if they’re considering trying one. “I say, do it! You never know what could happen,” she says. “It could be your soul mate – or rather, it could be a really good friendship.”

Hersha adds, “I would say go for it even if you think about it and think it’s not for you. The worst thing that could happen is it might be something you look back on and laugh about .”

As for what they think of the latest plans the second time around?

“I love them,” Richards says. “I love the incorporation of horses. Being a horse girl, I think (Hume) somehow managed to top the first shoot with the second photos. Who knew it was possible? But I absolutely love them. She did a fantastic job.”

“I thought they were great,” Hersha admits. “They turned out just as good, if not better.”