caty + richard | proposal | durham, n.c.

As the week came to a close, I got a visit from a colleague at work who told me about his upcoming engagement he was planning for Friday night. It sounded so casual yet so magical: dinner and drinks at Tyler’s (where the couple’s first date was), followed by ice skating at the American Tobacco Campus, and then a surprise proposal at the pond by the Full Frame Theater. I strapped on my camera, dressed in dark colors, threw on the long glass, and acted like tourist in the Bull City as these two ice skated throughout the evening and then kissed the night away. I stalked the two throughout the night and patiently awaited the special moment. All of a sudden, after relaxing at a picnic table by the pond, Richard dropped down to one knee. His proposal was so genuine and sweet. Caty couldn’t believe what was happening before her eyes. She was quickly enveloped in shock, then bliss, and then draped in love and euphoria.

I was so honored to be able to photograph this moment in Richard and Caty’s life and am still smiling about their engagement! These two have known each other for years and started dating about a year and a half ago. These two are so full of love and it’s written all over their faces for the world to see. I’m sure these two will have smiles on their faces for eternity after their sweet engagement last night.

Congratulations, Richard + Caty! Thank you for allowing me to capture this milestone in your life and create heirlooms for you and your families! Best wishes to the both of you!

engaged: philip + danielle | burlington, n.c.

When Philip + Danielle contacted me about doing their wedding photos, I squealed with excitement! Philip and I were friends back in high school, where we spent days convincing our AP European History teacher to let us watch any movie that had to do with Europe and play Risk, along with surviving many other “challenges” of high school. I was so happy for him when we went to N.C. State and even happier that he met this awesome lady, Danielle while he was there! When I say that I couldn’t think of any other people who were absolutely perfect for each other, I truly mean it. Philip is a Ph. D candidate in the College of Veterinary Medicine at State and Danielle is a veterinary medicine student and a Ph. D candidate. They just get each other. Their love for each other is huge! They laugh at each other and themselves and are all about caring for animals in such a very intellectual way. Phil proposed to Danielle late this summer while she was at school. A good friend convinced her that there was a sick goat out in the field by a big tree that needed attention quickly. Little did she know, the sick goat was Philip. Philip took a knee and Danielle’s breath away in one fell swoop while she was decked out in her mud boots and overalls. It was a total surprise, which always makes for the best proposal!

We met out at their wedding venue in Burlington, Starlight Meadows, to have a rustic and casual session. This new venue is awesome and is going to be so beautiful on an early October evening! We played and danced in the meadow with their sweet boy, Finley, laughed at all the things, and had such a great time. These two even cracked jokes the whole day about some pretty gross cow facts (I’ll spare you the details but I quite enjoyed them myself!), in addition to owning all awkwardness and quoting YouTube videos. They are an adventurous couple who know how to have some serious fun and are dream clients!

Philip + Danielle, you two are just so perfect for one another. It brings butterflies to my stomach when I see how much love there is beaming out of y’all. Thank you for the great session and I cannot wait for the big day to get here!

Katlyn & Eric: Engaged!

Katlyn & Eric got engaged and invited me out to shoot on their family’s farm in Fremont, N.C. and it/they. was/were. BEAUTIFUL! The land was amazing, the goats were hilarious and the light was fabulous. And naturally, Katlyn & Eric were a blast to hang out with! Never have I had such a fun time romping around making photographs…even while riding on her bright red 4-wheeler with Happy the dog! Both work at Disney World resorts as chefs and I’m sure they will have the most delicious wedding ever! Thanks for letting me tag along and capture your enormous love, Katlyn & Eric!

megan & richard: engaged!

So a couple months ago, I got an e-mail from a dear family friend and old babysitter asking me to do her engagement photos. I was so excited, I didn’t even have to think twice. I knew I would LOVE to shoot their portraits! Megan and Richard met during graduate school at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, V.A. After being friends for awhile, decided they should date, which of course led to Richard proposing to Megan, because honestly, who couldn’t love Megan?

Jerry and I headed up on Memorial Day weekend to have a fun and crazy late afternoon and evening shoot in Norfolk. We shot at Megan and Richard’s old apartment (the coolest apartment ever) in downtown Norfolk and then strolled through the historical neighborhood and waterfront for some extra shots! Megan and Richard are a fun-loving couple and absolutely perfect for one another and these pictures definitely show it!