Love Stories
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
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.
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.
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.
