Lion's Bridge Engagement Session | Newport News Wedding Photographer | Chris + Kayla

May 21, 2015

Maria Grace Photography

Engagement

When I first met Kayla, she and I clicked instantly. She loves running, drinks tons of tea, and makes her dog wear shirts. Needless to say, we are a great match! When I finally got to meet Chris, I felt even more lucky to photograph their engagement as well as be there for the big day this October. Chris is kind and personable, and was such a great sport about their engagement pictures - it's not often that the guy is just as excited as his fiancée, but Chris definitely was!

We had checked the weather forecast earlier in the day, and it looked like the rain would stay far away from us until later in the evening, so we had no worries and walked around Lions Bridge near the Mariner's Museum. It was the sweetest time - Chris and Kayla are so clearly in love, and know each other inside and out. I love that wherever they go, Kayla always makes Chris not just hold hands with her, but put his arm around her side so they can walk closely together...

May 13, 2015

Maria Grace Photography

Engagement

Fort Monroe Engagement Session | Hampton Wedding Photographer | Alan + Talika

May 13, 2015

Maria Grace Photography

Engagement

I feel like I was just in Fort Monroe! (Well ok, that's because I was) Alan and Talika are in a unique position, because Alan is currently serving overseas right now. In fact, he made his way back there just a few days after the engagement session! So when the weather was looking bad the day we planned their shoot, we just had to cross our fingers and hope for the best.

Boy, oh boy, did we get the best! Not only did the rain hold off, but the sun peeked out right at sunset to finish out the session. And that wasn't even the best part! Seeing Alan and Talika together was an absolute joy. They steal in-between moments and fill them with laughter. They speak kindly to each other. They have a hope for the future, and a deep love for one another. Some of my favorite moments were right before and after they kissed because they broke into the biggest smiles possible, so happy to just be together.

April 22, 2015

Maria Grace Photography

Engagement

Andrew & Lauren // Christopher Newport University Engagement Photographer

April 22, 2015

Maria Grace Photography

Engagement

The evening we had first planned to shoot Andrew & Lauren's engagement session quickly turned into a stormy, rainy day, and we were left to come up with a new plan. With their wedding just around the corner in less than two months, sooner rather than later was the goal! So instead of an evening sunset, we opted for the next morning at sunrise. And what a treat it was to spend the morning with these two!

Andrew and Lauren, while shy and quiet at first, quickly showed their relationship in the laughter and teasing that lasted the whole morning. Usually the groom-to-be tells me that he is nervous, awkward, or both before a session, but that morning was the exact opposite. Andrew was a pro in front of the camera, and kept us all relaxed and cracking up the whole day (even though we were all awake extremely early!). Between the laughter, the kisses, and the quiet moments in between, it quickly became obvious that these two are perfect for each other.

Thank you so much, Andrew and Lauren, for letting me drag you out of bed so early to walk around CNU. I'm so excited for you both as you graduate in just a few weeks, and get married shortly after. You are both loads of fun, and I'm beyond excited to pick back up where we left off in June. I hope the final days of wedding planning are as fun for you as your engagement session was for me!