Nakaya and Aaron's Pullen Park Engagement Session

“Love doesn’t make the world go ‘round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”

— Franklin P. Jones

I connected with these two cuties because of The Oaks at Salem, one of my all time favorite venues. Their big day is scheduled there in October this year and we’re all crossing our fingers that nothing will need to change due to the current events. Booking their engagement photos was proving difficult enough, with the winter weather postponing our last attempts and the corona threatening this one, we all really wanted to move forward.

Fortunately the weather cooperated and every single flowering tree in the park seemed to have blossomed over night. It was a perfect day. As most exceptionally beautiful women usually are, Nakaya was super shy at first, believing she’d chosen the wrong outfit and wondering if she was standing just right and not feeling especially beautiful, but Aaron saw to it right away to shower her in kisses and tell her everything that would make her smile.

These two have the type of friendship that loves to play and tease. I could tell from just their social media posts that they were going to have a great time no matter what we did. They were not the least bit bashful when it came to being silly or following the off the wall prompts I threw at them. This makes a shoot so much more enjoyable. It’s not about posing. It’s about connecting with each other and capturing your love in a way that the grandkids will know what you were like together.

I’m so excited for you both! October is just around the corner and we are going to have SO much fun!

Tara and Mischon's Engagement in NoDa

“I’m not good at making specific plans. Just meet me under the sky somewhere and be alive with me”

— Victoria Erickson

These two have been together for almost 7 years and it really shows! Mischon knew exactly which quirky things to say to Tara to warrant a huge smile and she knew right when to just grab him and pull him in for the kiss. After going back and forth trying to decide which park would be best to shoot in this time of year we finally settled on exploring the North Davidson area of Charlotte. They both love bright bold colors and I knew this would be a perfect fit.

We weren't sure if we were going to be able to find any color in the winter as most of the leaves are gone from the trees and it's not quite time for spring blooms, but NoDa is filled with colorful murals, buildings and now a balloon installation! It was was like a scavenger hunt trying to find each of the murals through all the construction but totally worth the effort!

The weather was supposed to be a little chilly so I offered to reschedule if they’d rather a more spring-y photoshoot, but they weren’t phased in the slightest. Tara said they’d throw on their peacoats and scarves and have fun anyway. There’s nothing better than a couple that can just roll with the punches. I know we’re going to have an amazing time on their big day!

Dorothea Dix Park Sunflower Field Engagement Session | Kristin and Matt

“Love is when they give you a piece of your soul, that you never knew was missing.”

— Torquato Tasso

When I saw Kristin sitting in Matt’s lap, whispering something in his ear in a quiet corner of Alexa and Landon’s wedding I had a feeling they’d be up next. When I saw their engagement post about a year later all the little butterflies in my stomach just fluttered away.

No matter how many love stories I get to witness, I’ll never get over the grandness of it all. The little moments in the quiet corners, the epic life changing ones involving a ring, and the beautiful conversations about wonderful memories shared and futures to come.

I went out to Whiskey Kitchen with these two last night to get to know them a little better before our big shoot this morning at the Dix Park Sunflower Field and heard all about their beautiful adventures all over the world and how they’d dreamed one day to have their honeymoon in Hawaii. While in Savannah, he took her on a walk to a beautiful park and told her their next trip would be Hawaii…then he got down on a knee.

I just get all the good feels every time I think of it. These two complete each other in every way. They’re pretty different as far as personalities go, but the way they move together and fill in the pieces that are missing is as beautiful as it gets, they’re perfect for each other.

Thank you so much for inviting me to capture your memories you guys! I cannot wait til the big day!!

Jetton Park Engagement Session | Rich and Sarah

“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting”

— Paulo Coelho

The Charlotte Summer heat was sweltering as I walked around Jetton Park with Sarah and Rich for their engagement session Wednesday, but they were rockstars anyway. Three outfits changes and circling the park a couple times to find the best light would be too much for most people, but they powered through and we were able to finish with a bourbon just up the street as a reward.

I knew these two were going to be fun because they wanted to wear their team jerseys for some of the photos, and their baseball teams are rivals. Rich explained that the family jokingly gave Sarah a hard time for agreeing to marry him because of it. They are a great fit regardless of team preferences though.

I asked them to share their favorite moment in their relationship so far and both of them had the same favorite, their proposal in Cancun! How could you choose anything different after something so epic though?!? They were so sweet as they reminisced about it and were even able to show me photos! I can’t wait to see how they form new favorites through the years.

Luckily their college teams are in different conferences so they’re able to happily support each others’ teams at games.

You guys thank you so much for letting me capture this special season! Cannot wait til May!

Jetton Park Engagement Session | Sarah and Davis

“Be foolishly in love, because love is all there is.”

— Rumi

When Sarah told me she smiles like Chandler on Friends, I couldn’t help but laugh. This beauty couldn’t be awkward if she tried. With a big bright smile all morning she kept looking to Davis as if to ask if she was doing it right, and all he could do was give an even bigger smile in return.

These two met at UNC Charlotte and dated for a couple years before Davis surprised her with a proposal at one of her bucket list spots! Shenandoah National Park! How amazing is that?!? (If national parks are on your bucket list, we’re a perfect match by the way)

We had to reschedule a few times because the weather kept being uncooperative but it was totally worth it as yesterday morning was incredible! They rolled up bright and early and even brought me breakfast since we were getting such an early start, such a thoughtful couple!

As they were talking about their future plans I couldn’t help but smile since they’re similar to mine. Lots of dogs were involved and possibly a cat, they might have envisioned a farm, but no matter what was discussed, they were together. As they should be, a perfect match if I ever saw one.

You guys thank you so much for including me on this journey of yours! I cannot wait til the big day next April!!