Fort Monroe Fall Engagement Pictures | Marco + Lydia

Fort Monroe Fall Engagement Pictures | Marco + Lydia

If Marco and Lydia look familiar to you, it’s because they got married exactly two months ago today! These two had an incredibly unique situation, because Marco only landed in the States a couple weeks before they said their I do’s. Because of that, we decided to schedule their engagement session after the fact, since they had plenty to do in the few weeks leading up to their wedding at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens!

Summer has lasted a long time in Hampton Roads, and you won’t see me complaining a bit about that :) The weather has been warm and beautiful, and that sunset glow has lasted all the way through September. Fort Monroe is one of my favorite locations for engagement pictures - between the historical monuments, trees, and the beach, it has so many beautiful features wrapped into one.

Seeing Marco and Lydia was such a wonderful reminder of the newness and excitement that newlywed life brings. They still wanted to snuggle, kiss, and hold hands, and all the memories of their wedding day were fresh on their minds. These two have a life of service behind them, and so much to look forward to as they step into their next journey together. I hope they keep this happiness for the rest of their lives…

First Landing Engagement Pictures | Matt + Jackie

First Landing Engagement Pictures | Matt + Jackie

Matt and Jackie are two of the kindest souls you will meet. They were full of smiles from the first time I said hello until the very last picture, and it was obvious that their love for each other overflows toward the people around them. The evening was the most picturesque Virginia Beach can be, with clouds that broke into a stunning sunset as the evening wore on. It was the perfect way to say goodbye to summer - warmth, golden light, and happiness all around.

Because of the military, Matt and Jackie have been separated by many miles for awhile now, and even with their upcoming wedding it will be a long time before they can actually call the same city their home. But despite the difficulty of a long-distance relationship, they’ve decided to make the most of it by exploring new cities and enjoying the time they do have with each other, no matter how short it may seem.

A beautiful night, a beautiful sunset, and a beautiful couple…this was truly a memorable engagement session…

Neon District in Norfolk Engagement Pictures | Barak + Heather

Neon District in Norfolk Engagement Pictures | Barak + Heather

It’s not often that a couple is TOTALLY up for a 5am wake-up call just so we can capture that gorgeous morning light…but Barak and Heather were all in (or at least she was! Ha!). I would say Heather is a morning person, but I think it’s more accurate to say she’s an all-day person. All day long she is happy, joyful, and smiling, and has been since I met her years ago. And Barak? Despite the crazy morning hours and the fact that he is NOT as much of a morning person, he was just happy to be with Heather.

I couldn’t hold back my excitement as we explored all the fun murals in the Neon District of Norfolk for their engagement pictures. There are colors and patterns for every style, and we explored all around the Chrysler Museum of Art, then ended with some trendy photos around Grace Street. Bonus: Heather wore the most adorable romper (WITH POCKETS), and I am a little obsessed.

Based on how the morning went, I am just dying to fast-forward to April when these two will have their wedding at the Womans Club of Portsmouth. Until then, I’ll just look back through their sunrise engagement pictures and remember that the early morning wake-up is ALWAYS worth it!