Pernell & Maggie // Downtown Smithfield Engagement Photographer

We had been excitedly talking about this engagement session for weeks, and the day finally came on a cool evening in the end of March. Maggie's week was one for the books - between managing a classroom of kindergartners and a nasty fall, she had every reason to be tired at the end of a few very long days. Yet when Pernell and Maggie arrived, they were filled with joy that bubbled over into every laugh, every smile, and every moment of their session.

Their personalities shone in a whole new light. Maggie is easygoing and natural, while Pernell is goofy and fun loving. He kept her laughing the whole time, and yet shared a few quiet moments in between the jokes and giggles. As we walked around Windsor Castle Park and downtown Smithfield, it quickly became evident why the two of them are inseparable. They started as friends, but their love has grown, and in just over a month they will finally be married.

Pernell and Maggie - you two are awesome! I laughed so hard, and enjoyed every minute of our time together. Thank you for all the jokes, all the funny quotes that I'll remember forever, and for your excitement throughout the day. May is going to be beautiful, and I just can't wait.

Steve & Lori // Chesapeake, Virginia Engagement Photographer

Steve and Lori's story is as long as it is beautiful. The two have known each other for years - through the ups and downs of life, they remained friends for a very long time. It was only in the past little while, however, that they realized their friendship had blossomed into something so much more than that, and before they knew it they were engaged to be married.

Oftentimes, a couple excels at joking with each other, whereas another is never anything but sweet. Steve and Lori are a hilarious combination of the two - between the laughter and the joking, there is a tone of sweetness and seriousness that demonstrates their deep love for each other. I both laughed harder than I had in awhile at their engagement session and experienced sweet, intimate moments beyond words.

I can only imagine what their wedding day next month - and their lives for the next 50 years and beyond - will be like.

View their engagement session slideshow by clicking here.
Makeup by Dhalia Edwards.

Daniel & Hattie // Lee Hall Depot Engagement Photographer

This is an engagement session that's been such a long time coming! Hattie and I first got to know each other over the summer, and fall/winter felt so long as we waited for the perfect time to capture her engagement session with Daniel. Since they are in the middle of a long distance relationship, that's no easy feat. But in just a few months, that will change for good!

About 20 minutes into their engagement session, we hit a small snag. Daniel's sister had kindly brought a few props that they had forgotten, but as she drove away her car got stuck in mud, the wheels spun, and by the time she left the side of Daniel's leg was covered in mud! Definitely not the most ideal way to start out an engagement shoot we'd been waiting over 6 months for. After a minute of staring and wondering what to do, we quickly commissioned Daniel's dad to bring out a change of outfits and worked around all the mud, knowing it would be a great story...much, much later. And looking back on all these pictures, I think we can all finally laugh about it with ease!

If there's one thing I can say about Daniel and Hattie, it's that they are so full of joy. Joy at being together, joy at life, joy in all the little things. Even in the quiet moments, when Hattie isn't bubbling over with laughter and Daniel isn't teasing and flirting with her, both exude contentment and happiness at being together. I'm so glad I got to spend time with them on a freezing day in January, and I can't wait for June and all the beauty it will bring.

Daniel and Hattie are planning a travel-themed wedding, and all the little details made this session that much more unique!

Ohhh that light...we hit it just right!