Love Stories
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.
Johnny & Brittany | Epic South Coast of Iceland Engagement Adventure
When Brittany & Johnny contacted us about photographing and filming this season of their relationship, we initially thought it was a cruel joke. Multi-day engagement photos across the South Coast of Iceland, and then a destination wedding in Costa Rica. Turns out…they weren’t joking!
We had actually met Brittany a couple years back, as she was a bridesmaid in one of our other client’s weddings. She was really impressed by how we conducted ourselves at the wedding and fell in love with our style of work. We’re so glad she liked what she saw and experienced.
These two were an absolute blast to work with, as well as TROOPERS! We had high winds, rain, and fog for a majority of our time with these guys, but because of their willingness to adventure, we were able to capture some incredibly epic moments and landscapes.
We cannot wait to celebrate and document their wedding day in Costa Rica, but until then…enjoy their Iceland adventure!
Ian & Taylor | Love-Filled Elegant Wedding at The Harvard Club of Boston
There was ZERO questioning the level of excitement that Ian & Taylor had on their big day at the Harvard Club of Boston. There were so many smiles, bursts of laughter, explosions of tears, and we were lucky enough to be there to document it all.
Boston, and Harvard in particular, has a very special place in Ian’s heart as it’s where he attended school and led the track team during his time there. You might say he fell in love with Boston and his alma mater enough to tie the knot there.
Taylor & Ian did exactly what we advise all of our clients to do…”Make sure you take time to stop and soak it all in. Enjoy this day because it’s over in the blink of an eye.” They did just that. You could literally see them stopping to hold one another, tears welling up in their eyes, and soaking in each other’s love. It was beautiful.
Venue/Catering/Coordination: The Harvard Club of Boston
Florals: Copper Penny Flowers
DJ/Sound: South Coast Entertainment MA
Cake: Oak Leaf Cakes
Rentals: Peak Event Services
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!
Ian & Becca | Elegant & Cozy VanLandingham Estate Wedding Charlotte, NC
We hit it off with Ian & Becca from the very first time we met. We knew we were a perfect match, and that we would be in for a ton of fun. Young, bright, giddy, and head over heels in love. The couple decided to tie the knot and exchange their vows at the beautiful VanLandingham Estate, nestled in the beautiful and lush Plaza Midwood neighborhood of Charlotte, NC. They decided to go for a first-look, and exchanged vows privately in the incredible old greenhouse on the property, surrounded by milky glass, vines, and the most beautiful light dancing in the windows. After their ceremony, the couple and their guests danced the night away to the awesome jams provided by The Pizazz Band. We consider ourselves so lucky and blessed to have been a part of this extra special day with our two special friends and their families.
Not to mention, we had the privilege of working alongside an incredible vendor team that pulled this day off without a hitch.
Venue @vanlandingham_estate Hair & Makeup @kenziehamiltonmua Music @thepizazzband Florals/Decor/Planning @hippevents Rentals @partyreflections Dress Designer @bylillianwest Bridal Boutique @savvybrideboutique @simplystunningbydivas
Zach & Madison | Iceland Engagement Road Trip
Iceland Engagement
“Bucket list”, “trip-of-a-lifetime”, “dream sessions”…all phrases that could describe our recent trip to Iceland. We hopped in a car with our couple Zach and Madison in Reykjavik and headed out on a road trip to explore the entire southern coast of Iceland…from Snaefellsnes Peninsula to Stokksnes. Zach and Madison were a dream to travel with. Car karaoke, Icelandic hot dog pit stops, brewery detours, and stopping to go head to head with an “excited” Icelandic horse…we did it all. There’s just something about this place that grabs you and doesn’t let you go. I’m not sure if its the sheer epicness of the landscape or the memories we made along the way, but I’m sure it’s a combination of both.
The plan was to drive the entire southern coast, sightsee, and sprinkle in some photo sessions along the way. If the location and the light was right, we’d make a mad dash to change in the freezing cold wind and make it happen (and we did). The two locations where the stars aligned for shoots were Vestrahorn, our farthest eastern stop, and “Magic Mountain”, a secret hidden-gem location that was graciously disclosed to me by a local photographer. The reason I call it “Magic Mountain” is because so many times we’ve looked at the images of the location and people have described it as “magical”. It literally looks like something from a Lord of the Rings or Hobbit film. Like, Smaug could come flying over the ridgeline at any time…ha. (Thankfully, he didn’t.) We parked at the base of the mountain and hiked for 45 minutes until we reached the ridge of the canyon overlooking two amazing waterfalls. It was totally worth it…I think you’ll agree. We were literally speechless when we made it to the shoot spot. Courtney even had tears in her eyes…it was just that breathtaking.
Enough talking…let’s get to the good stuff. Enjoy Zach & Madison’s Iceland engagement session.
Ned & Ellie | Sunset Cliffs San Diego
California, and San Diego in particular, is know for its sun, beaches, gorgeous weather, and incredible sunsets. Ellie & Ned’s sunset session at the amazing Sunset Cliffs incorporated all of these things, and when combined with their intense chemistry…magic ensued.
Hair blowing in the wind, ocean spray lifting into the air, warm sand beneath their feet, and towering seaside cliffs surrounding them….I mean, come on.
I’ll just stop now so you can enjoy this amazingly beautiful couple in one of the must breathtaking spots we’ve ever had the privilege of visiting.
Bridal Boutique: Lovely Bride Charlotte
Dress Designer: Love Honor Bridal
Florals: Backbone Floral & Vintage
Coordination/Planning: Wild Lovers Content
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!
Dress: Raw & Golden Rentals
Florals: Backbone Floral & Vintage
Coordination/Planning: Wild Lovers Content
Nelson & Carson | Glitz & Glam Vegas Engagement
Carson wanted to elope out west, Nelson wanted a more traditional venue wedding day with friends and family close to home.
Did they flip a coin? Nope. They compromised. They still booked a more traditional, local venue for their wedding day, but decided to bring us with them on an adventure out west for their engagement session/s! Everybody wins.
We flew into Las Vegas and didn’t waste anytime with shooting. We shot the famous Fremont Street in “Old Vegas”. It totally fit our style as it was a bit more on the vintage/classic side of things.
The “larger than life” flashing signs and the sounds of cheers and shouts inside the casinos mixed with Nelson’s “rat-pack” inspired suit & bow tie and Carson’s glamorous sequin dress made for an engagement session that just screamed VEGAS!
We basically just hit the street and let these guys explore old Vegas and love on one another. A simple, yet effective strategy.
What do you think?
Oh, and yes, I said engagement sessions…plural. Be on the lookout for more from this awesome adventure!
Nate & Andrea | Intimate, Snowy Asheville Airbnb Elopement
It was a beautiful snowy day in Asheville, NC. Andrea had contacted us a few weeks prior asking if we had any availability for an intimate, Airbnb elopement in Asheville, and we were all over it. We absolutely love Asheville, but we love intimate weddings and elopements even more. So, combining the two is just a match made in heaven!
When we arrived at the Airbnb we were so pleasantly surprised. The modern/Scandinavian-inspired cabin was quietly perched up on the side of a mountain with incredible views off the huge front porch. It’s interior stylings complimented the vibe with mid-century modern fireplace, lighting, and accents. It was a dream to shoot inside because of all of the large windows and skylights that were built in.
The vibes in the house were so warm, relaxed, and welcoming. Andrea and Nate were on cruise control and ready to tie the knot, as you should be on your wedding day.
Andrea’s son was so much fun to watch as he prepped for the event. He wore a lot of hats for the event (escorted his mom down the “aisle”, ring bearer, Bible-reader, and bouquet holder!) and he rocked them all! He and Andrea have such a sweet relationship, and it was so magical and heart-warming to watch the two help each other get ready for the ceremony.
Nate was as cool as a cucumber. He calmly and quietly wrote his vows before putting on his dapper, yet warm, suit for the ceremony.
We landed on a porch-front ceremony location, as it provided great lighting with all the snow around, and the panoramic views of the neighboring mountain vista.
Happy tears were shed, laughter was aplenty, and the couple’s love was palpable throughout the entire ceremony. Andrea’s son looked on so intently and lovingly as they shared vows, rings, and a sealing kiss.
Let us just say, this day was the personification of enjoying a stress free wedding day while still having “all the things”. A beautiful dress, attire, details, ceremony, drinks, food, and so much fun. Whether our couple’s are packing out the venue or eloping alone on the side of a mountain…we want this for them! To truly enjoy, experience, and savor every facet of their day.
I think I’ve said enough. Seriously. Keep scrolling and enjoy!
Dress: BHLDN
Makeup: Zack Russel, Asheville
Florals: Shady Grove Flowers, Asheville
Cake: Short Street Cakes, Asheville
Her Rings: The Golden Carrot, Charlotte
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.
Haley | Downtown Charlotte Punk/Street Inspired Empowerment Session
We originally promoted a Valentine’s Day deal for couple’s sessions, but we quickly learned that we were totally leaving out an entire demographic that are equally worthy to have professional photos taken to document this season in THEIR lives. So, the idea of our Single’s Empowerment Session promotion was born.
We were so stoked to be able to shoot and work with Haley. We knew as soon as we met her on the parking garage rooftop that this was going to be one awesome session. Leather, fur, studded boots, piercings, and one super sick haircut by the one and only…Carmen Cutrona of Carmen!Carmen! salons in Charlotte, NC. Haley is a Senior Stylist herself at Carmen!Carmen! Southpark.
Haley was so confident, yet extremely sweet and humble at the same time…the perfect candidate for these empowerment sessions. She made our jobs extremely easy as we made our way around the rooftop and then out onto the streets of downtown Charlotte. I’m so happy with how these shots turned out. The colors are simple, yet so much pop, and then the black and whites have such a “Street” vibe to them, as I went heavier with the grain than normal.
I think I just need to stop typing now, and let you enjoy this awesome session…
Jordan & Sara | Fun-Filled Lake Norman Wedding at Family Estate
It’s always nice to be able to ease into the busy Fall wedding season. That’s exactly what Sara & Jordan’s laid-back, lakeside union allowed us.
From the time we walked into the door of Jordan’s parents’ home on Lake Norman, we knew it was going to be a good day. The vibes were chill, family was aplenty, and the estate looked absolutely amazing. Not to mention, Sara and her ladies were finishing up hair and makeup right on time, thanks to Carly at Bel Fiore Beauty.
We walked the property to get a feel for the layout, and we were taken back at how beautifully decorated the grounds were thanks. Jenn of Meraki Blommor totally knocked it out of the park with her florals adorning the reception space, the ceremony arbor, and not to mention the beautiful petals floating on top of the swimming pool. (You’ll have to scroll to see that magic)
The chill vibes permeated the entire house, as we stopped by to tell Jordan hello. He and his guys were right at home, literally, and couldn’t have been more relaxed.
I knew from our early conversations that Jordan and Sara wanted their day to be intimate, relaxed, and filled with their closest friends and family. They definitely achieved it. It may have been a “backyard” wedding, but it couldn’t have been more beautiful, elegant and perfect. They’re the personification of when we say, “Just because you’re going smaller, doesn’t mean it has to be less than.” The day was anything but less than. Along with their vendor team and amazing planner Haley of Hipp Events & Design, the couple crafted a day that was exactly what they had dreamed of and made that dream become a reality.
We’re so excited to share Sara & Jordan’s entire day with you down to the last detail. From bridesmaid dance parties, floating flowers, kisses, and laughter to possibly the best wedding “exit” we’ve ever seen (remember that swimming pool?)…enjoy Sara & Jordan’s intimate, fun-filled day!
Planner/Coordinator: Hipp Events & Design
Floral Design: Meraki Blommor
Hair/MU: Bel Fiore Beauty
Dress: Martina Liana
His Threads: Indochino
Catering: Tin Kitchen
Suds: Carolina Crafts on Tap
Cake: Beth Gromis
Rentals: Cooke Rentals
Tyler & Kristen | Flirty & Fun Roan Mountain, Tennessee Engagement
We value relationship. In fact, the word “relationship” is littered throughout our website and marketing materials. And we’re not just blowing smoke when we say that. We LOVE having coffee or drinks with potential clients to get a feel for one another. We really enjoy having dinner or beers with our booked clients before/after engagement sessions. We’re about it.
We had Kristen and Tyler over to our home for a cookout shortly after booking them as one of our 2022 wedding couples. We hit it off immediately, and began to dream on our back porch of what their engagement session could look like. Several common threads kept popping up…mountains, camping, their dogs, and enjoying nature with one other. I suggested that we just ride up to the mountains and camp together, and go out for sunset pictures during our trip. We decided to do just that.
We arrived in the Roan Mountain area around 3pm and scoped out a few potential spots for photos. We headed back to our campsite to set up shop and rest up before our adventure out for photos and hiking. We sipped craft beers with our feet in the river next to our campsite while the couples dogs acclimated to the spot. It really helped to even further break the ice, and hey, a lil’ liquid courage never hurts before you’re going to be in front of the camera.
We rode up to Carver’s Gap to hike up and begin shooting. It felt like we had the whole mountain top to ourselves as we meandered along the trails together. The Blue Ridge range showed up in all it’s glory with layers of mountains filled the valley in the distance. It was an evening to remember, and developed what we believe will be a lifelong friendship.
We drove back to the campsite stoked at the images we were sure we captured, and celebrated with a steak dinner, cooked by Tyler and Kristen. The night lingered on by the campfire and eventually ended with a night cap dram of Buffalo Trace and sharing stories and dreams for our futures.
Here’s to more nights around the campfire.
AJ & Keeland | Fun & Romantic Sunrise Boone, NC Engagement Session at Rough Ridge
What you’re about to check out is actually attempt #2 at AJ & Keeland’s engagement session. We had originally planned to shoot at Edisto Island near Charleston, SC, but Covid-19 had other plans. I would dare say that the session turned out exactly how it was supposed to. AJ & Keeland actually met while attending Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, so it was only fitting that we headed back to their old college stomping grounds for their session.
It was an early wake up call… 4:15am to be exact. We rode out in the cool fog to the Blue Ridge Parkway and had the Rough Ridge trail parking lot all to ourselves. We threw on our headlamps and started hiking up in the pitch dark. There’s something so calming about only being able to see the next step in front of you.
It was crisp and cool, and as we hiked up the trail we could look off the side of the mountain at the sky gradually changing from blue, to pink, to orange as the sun made its way up and over the ridge. We got the perfect window. You never know what you’re going to get in the mountains. Sometimes you get a dense fog and you can’t see more than 1o feet in front of your face. I’m pretty sure we could see Charlotte from the ridge that morning. There were small trails of fog lingering over the distant peaks and ridges, which gave the illusion that we were up above the clouds.
We made it to the top with plenty of time to spare…and to catch our breath, ha. The sunrise light provided some of the softest, warmest light that I’ve ever shot in. It gave a warm orange/pink glow that made for such soft, romantic shots.
As you’ll see below, the scenery was absolutely epic…as if AJ & Keeland were standing on the edge of the world.
We wrapped up our time together at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. The soft, warm light had left us, but we found some beautifully shaded spots amongst the huge, mature trees on the grounds. The couple had so much fun with the shoot and each other. There may even be a piggy-back, face-lick captured in there somewhere.
We loved our time with AJ & Keeland and cannot wait to shoot their big day in Charleston, SC next year.
