Julio & Dacy | Film & Vintage Inspired Engagement Session Amongst Vintage Car Collection

For Dacy it was a no-brainer. She works for Hendrick Motorsports and loves the culture, so we were pumped to say the least when she got the green light to shoot her engagement photos in the rarely seen Hendrick Heritage Center Car Museum. The chance to enter this building and walk among the cars is a rare opportunity, much less be given permission to shoot a portrait session.

The particular car that Dacy & Julio chose to shoot with was the white 1955 Chevy Corvette…VIN # 1. It felt like we had stepped back into time and seeing this gem right off the production line. Complete with neon drive-in sign and marquee.

To wrap our time together we moved on to the working drive-in movie screen and Hollywood set-worthy mock up of a vintage Dairy Queen.

The staff we encountered were absolutely phenomenal and so genuinely nice. A huge shoutout to Kyle (you know who you are) for assisting us throughout the shoot and making sure we didn’t overstep around these timeless, priceless cars.

It was the perfect session to kick off our 2024 season, and we are so pumped to shoot this sweet couple’s big day at The Club at Longview in Waxhaw, NC.

Josh & Cari Anne | Asheville, NC Fun & Romantic Mountaintop Sunset

Josh & Cari Anne showed up to their session in the NC mountains ready to hit the trail and have fun. It was abundantly clear that they are super comfortable with one another. They literally did their thing while I documented with very little instruction. I think the result is a super genuine, authentic, and cinematic gallery. This location never disappoints, and we were greeted with one of the most beautiful, warm sunsets I’ve ever experienced here. We can’t wait for these two’s big day at The Omni Grove Park Inn later this year!

Jeremy & Kendall | Sunrise Elopement at Torrey Pines State Reserve

There aren’t many people out there that actually enjoy getting up before the sun. However, every time we’re forced to do so, it’s always so worth it.

It was no exception for Kendall & Jeremy’s sunrise session at Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego, California. Waves lapping up on the shore, seagulls singing, a cool breeze blowing in off the ocean water, and the sun cresting over the tops of the incredible cliffs.

The vibe was flirty, romantic, and full of pure chemistry. Kendall rocked her non-traditional blush-colored, bell-sleeved, lace dress like an absolute goddess. We LOVED the fact that she chose to wear something that was so unique and out-of-the-box. Jeremy was styling too with his earth-toned chinos and buckled loafers. The color palette they chose was incredible. They not only complimented each other, but also the coastal cliff environment.

Please enjoy Jeremy & Kendall’s Torrey Pines elopement session!

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Dress: Raw & Golden Rentals

Florals: Backbone Floral & Vintage

Coordination/Planning: Wild Lovers Content

Luke & Dallas | Eclectic, Boho-Inspired Elopement in Rabun Gap, GA

Have you ever met someone before that you felt like you’ve known forever? Well, that’s exactly what we felt like when we finally met Luke & Dallas (and their adorable 1 year old) for the first time at their incredible AirBnb in Rabun Gap, GA.

Courtney and I left out the day before the elopement with our good friends Bryan & Mariah (as well as Mariah’s massive macrame pieces in tow, more later) so that we could meet our couple, see the property, and come up with a game plan for their intimate day.

First off, we were completely blown away at the rental property, as it was designed by architects out of Atlanta, GA and the architecture, decor, and stylings could not have been more perfect! Basically, you have this award winning, modern home surrounded by the beauty of the Georgia mountains…what more could you possibly ask for?!

We immediately hit it off as we scoped out the property for the perfect ceremony spot. The last spot we checked out was…The One. It was the ideal spot to hang Mariah’s massive macrame altar piece, surrounded by a beautiful tree, wildflowers, and a glassy pond. We also picked out the perfect spot for the couple’s post ceremony, boho/eclectic-inspired picnic.

Did I mention that Dallas is a creative herself? She just happens to be Executive Pastry Chef, Kitchen Manager, and Lead Cake Decorator at The Cupcake Shoppe in Raleigh, NC. She made their wedding cake, and what an amazing piece of art!

The elopement day was super relaxed, full of good tunes, laughter, and most definitely some tears (happy ones). Luke & Dallas enjoyed their day, as they set themselves up for success. They relaxed and enjoyed each other and their daughter around their cozy AirBnb on the property.

Ceremony time came around, and it was absolutely the most peaceful, serene, and intimate ceremony we’ve ever witnessed. Just the couple, officiant, and us.

We had a blast toting the couple around the amazing property for their couple’s session (you’ll see what I”m talking about). So many angles, colors, and textures to work with…even when the light was on the harsher side. Some of my favorite shots captured on their day were actually shot in harsh light. The many angles of the home provided the coolest framings and sweet, deep shadows…it was magic.

We wrapped up the day with a totally chic, boho, eclectic picnic styled by Dallas herself. She literally brought everything with her to style the picnic. Between Dallas’ stylistic choices and Courtney and Mariah’s eye for decorating…I think we pulled off something absolutely dream worthy.

Luke & Dallas’ original plan didn’t work out. They were supposed to elope in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. However, I think they created a day that rivals almost any other. Their day was full of love, laughter, happy tears, and family. What more could you really ask for? It was an absolute honor to capture their day, and to be involved so intimately. Just to give you some insight into how these guys operate…they invited us to join them for their picnic at the end of the evening…we happily obliged.

Here’s to our new friends Luke & Dallas. Enjoy the magic!

Venue: The Glass House in Rabun Gap, GA

Hair: Luxy Hair

Florals: Sweet Stems Flower Bar (Franklin, NC)

Cake: Dallas at The Cupcake Shoppe Raleigh

Macrame Items: PaxtonMariahMurr

Hers

Dress: Wilderly Bride by Allure Bridals

Engagement Ring: Michellia Fine Jewelry

Wedding Ring: Ferkos Fine Jewelry

Earrings: Found You Adornments

Hair Pins: BHLDN (Anthropologie)

His

Suit & Shoes: ASOS Men

Ring: Celia O’ Kelley Jewelry

Bolo: YOQUOCOL

Picnic

Pillows/Napkins/Utencils/Champagne Glasses: World Market

Plates/Napkin Holders: Crate & Barrel

Ian & Becca | Cold & Misty Roan Mountain Engagement Session

When I first arrived at the parking lot to meet Becca and Ian…I was a tad worried. It was SUPER foggy, cold, and windy. These things can sometimes mess with your plans when you drove 3 hours to shoot on a mountain top with beautiful 360 degree mountain views.

Becca & Ian arrived and in her typical fashion, Becca was pumped and her energy was contagious. If you don’t have a Becca in your life…well then you need to find one, ha. We began our hike up and shot as we winded our way up to the summit. The fog and mist actually made for incredibly moody and emotive images. The mist would blow across the mountain top and the fir trees almost became secondary subjects as they peeked through the fog and mist in the background.

We got a couple windows where the fog lifted in the valley, and we took full advantage as the sunlight shined through and lit up the valley below us. The view didn’t last long, but we were able to snag that view that we came for.

The weather may have been less than ideal, depends on who you ask, but we use it to our advantage, and had such a fun time doing it.

Please enjoy Becca & Ian’s foggy and romantic Roan Mountain engagement session.

Robert & Holli | Hipster/Boho-Inspired Engagement Session

It had been a long weekend of shooting in the Asheville, NC area…not complaining whatsoever. Friday evening, Saturday sunrise, Saturday sunset, Sunday sunset, and then one more session Monday evening. I didn’t really know what to expect, as I had only spoken with Holli & Robert by phone. What I got when we finally met was two of the sweetest, most fun, and genuine people you could ever hope to meet.

We met at the Graveyard Fields Parking lot off the Blue Ridge Parkway and made our way out to the valley below. I had come across some photos of a cool looking boardwalk system that runs through the high valley that’s situated just below the popular Black Balsam Knob. They didn’t disappoint and neither did the amazing light that we were blessed with. You couldn’t really see the top of Black Balsam as it was covered in a dense fog/cloud-cover. It provided the most perfect, soft, diffused light that you could hope for. It really just fit the mood of the surroundings, and we practically had it all to ourselves.

Robert & Holli quickly warmed up to the camera, and began to enjoy one another, and most importantly, had a blast! One thing I noticed is that when I’d give some of my usual “queues” to the couple…they really took it literally. One such queue is to “look into each others eyes”, and these two really went for it. You can see it in the images that we captured that when they were told to gaze into one another’s eyes…they DID NOT fake it. You can almost feel the deep connection between these two, and it was honestly so magical.

As we got comfy with each other, and began to really have some fun I said, “See where that fog/cloud is covering the top of the peak? That’s where we’re heading next.” I was honestly a little worried that it’d be a massive “wall of white” with zero visibility when we reached the clearing on top of Black Balsam Knob. However, when we broke through the balsam grove into the clearing on our hike up, we were greeted with probably the most beautiful sunset I’ve ever been privileged to witness at this spot. The fog/cloud cover that was shrouding the top of the peak had actually migrated down into the valley that we had just left behind. So imagine…you’re standing on top of a 6200’ peak, you look to the east and you see a sea of blue and pink, cotton candy clouds, and you look towards the west and you see the most beautiful rays of golden sun cresting across balsam-covered mountaintops. It was, in a word, heavenly.

We made our way up to the pinnacle of Black Balsam and stopped for photo opportunities as we went along. When we finally made it to the top, I surprised Holli & Robert with some local beers from Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Boojum Brewing Company to celebrate.

I was tired, but also pumped from the long weekend of shooting in the mountains of NC. My time with Robert & Holli, as well as my other clients that weekend, reminded me why I love my job so much. Meeting kick ass people in beautiful places, and making memories that last a lifetime never gets old.

Here’s to more adventures in the new year…cheers.

Hunter & Camden | Romantic Max Patch Sunset Session

When Courtney and I decided to do a portrait session giveaway on Instagram for New Years, we were both super excited and super nervous at the same time. We couldn’t have been more excited about who the software chose at random. We go way back with Camden and her family, and she was so excited to have been chosen.

Camden wanted to travel somewhere for the session, and we were so down, so off to Asheville we went! We have been wanting to shoot at Max Patch for a while now, so that was definitely our first recommendation. We decided to go for two totally different looks, one trendy casual for downtown Asheville, and the second a little more romantic for the bald mountain top at Max Patch.

We met up with Camden and her boyfriend Hunter at The French Broad Chocolate Lounge in downtown Asheville and just began walking. We hit a couple alleyways and streets, and then jumped in the Subaru to drive the hour and fifteen minutes to Max Patch. I have to say, Max Patch is now one of my absolute favorite places to shoot…period. It’s a bald mountain top on the NC/TN border with 360 degree mountain views. INCREDIBLE!

We braved the muddy 15 minute hike from the parking lot up to the top and just pure magic followed. Let me tell you…these two are just the cutest couple, and they were such troopers. The temps hovered around 30 degrees with light winds. However, they still had so much fun with one another, and just simply loved on each other.

Please enjoy Hunter & Camden’s Max Patch Sunset session.

Bryan & Jessie | Asheville Masonic Temple Wedding

If you were to take a film set from The Great Gatsby and drop it down in the middle of Downtown Asheville NC, then you would basically have Bryan and Jessie’s wedding day at The Asheville Masonic Temple. Built in the early 1900’s, The Asheville Masonic Temple is a four story brick building loaded with masonic memorabilia, scissor gate elevators, a beautiful theater, stone columned balconies, and an amazing grand staircase. Ok, sorry, I’m a history nerd.

The day was a little different for me than normal, as we were inside the masonic temple all day long, however, I was totally fine with that. The details and vibe of the venue are incredible. The bride & groom are avid wine-lovers, and wine related details were sprinkled throughout the day. The couple’s closest friends and family filled the theater for the exchanging of their hand-written vows, followed by a beautiful cocktail hour and meal in the main reception hall. The guests and party ascended the stairs after dinner to dance the night away in the third floor theater. It was a night to remember.

Please enjoy Bryan & Jessie’s elegant Downtown Asheville Wedding!

Venue: The Asheville Masonic Temple

Coordinator: Shay Brown Events

Dress: Anomalie

Hair & Makeup: Flawless Airbrush Makeup and Hair Design

Flowers: Urban Farm Girl Flowers

Caterer: Catering by Corey

DJ: DJ Bluphi

Bailey & Grace | UNCC Botanical Gardens Sunrise Engagement

I had a good feeling the first time I spoke with Bailey about the possibility of shooting he and Grace’s Virginia Boho barn wedding. Bailey is a Marine and he and Grace have been making the long distant thing work, and we wondered how we would be able to hook up to shoot their engagement session. It just so happened that Grace was heading down to Florida where Bailey would be graduating from a Marine training course, and they would be road tripping back up to VA after his graduation. When we figured they would be driving through Charlotte it was game on…it was our chance.

It was a super chilly fall morning, as we met up at sunrise at the UNCC Botanical Gardens, which is absolutely beautiful by the way. The gardens are split right down the middle with the left path leading to a dreamy Japanese style garden, and the right path leading into a North American themed forest. We made our way through both and these two are just pure magic together.

Please enjoy Bailey & Grace’s sun-soaked, woodland engagement session.