As a wedding photographer, engagement sessions are one of my favorite parts of my job. Pair that with a creative idea, a beautiful location, and an in-love couple, and I am over the moon. Engagement sessions usually happen a few months before your wedding, and they give you a chance to practice being in front of a camera before your big day! Plus, they give you amazing photos to hang on your walls or use as part of your wedding invitations! While I won’t be shooting Anna and Chris’s wedding, I had a blast getting to know them at their engagement session at the Virginia State Arboretum. 

Personal Engagement Session Details

Anna and Chris originally found me through a friend whose wedding I associate shot! I was so happy when they reached out, especially when they told me their vision for their engagement session. Anna had her eye on a picnic-inspired shoot after seeing another one of my couple’s engagement photos. I get so excited when my couples have a strong idea for their photos, and I am more than happy to accommodate whatever crazy idea you dream up!

For their shoot, Anna brought some champagne and some of her and Chris’s favorite foods. They laid out the blanket, brought out their picnic basket, and I did my best to fade into the background. It was such a joy just to witness Anna and Chris’s love. Their picnic photos captured them in their natural atmosphere, just laughing and talking together. If you peek at some of the photos, you’ll even see a nod to their early days of dating: a Taco Bell sauce packet! Did you know Taco Bell had a series of wedding-themed sauces? I did not, and now I’m obsessed with it. It was so fun to capture that little detail that told a piece of their story. 

The Virginia State Arboretum as a Perfect Backdrop 

The Virginia State Arboretum was the perfect place for their romantic engagement photos. The 172 acres are operated by the University of Virginia’s Blandy Experimental Farm. On top of being lush, green, and beautifully cultivated, the arboretum is also free! Anna and Chris loved it as much as I did. We had planned three different dates for their engagement session, and got rained out every time. So when a sunny day dawned, we were at the Arboretum early in the morning to make sure we got their pictures! And despite the chaos, I think they turned out wonderfully.

I like finding engagement session locations that offer a bit of variety! With cultivated gardens, wild forests, and greenhouses, the Virginia State Arboretum gave us a bunch of cool backgrounds. Virginia State Arboretum is one of my favorite places to visit on my own, so being able to shoot an engagement session here was the icing on the cake. Plus, Anna and Chris were so happy to simply be together that it made my job easy! No matter how awkward people say they feel in front of the camera, I’ve found that just being present with your partner is the best way to get fantastic photos. 

Engagement & Wedding Photographer 

Engagement sessions like this one are my favorite because they us a chance to get to know each other in a low-stakes environment. You can get comfortable with me and the camera before the business of your wedding day! During your engagement shoot, it’s not about sticking to a timeline, or remembering your vows, or greeting your guests. It’s just about you and your love.

And the best part? Engagement sessions are included in every one of my wedding photography packages! No matter how wild your engagement session idea is, we can bring it together in a way that tells your story. Explore my wedding and engagement photography services and reach out to book your session!