Engagement sessions are seriously probably one of my favorite sessions to photograph ever.  I just adore working with couples.  I love to hear their love stories and the memories that they have made together over the years and all of the joy in their voices as they talk about one another and smile at the many good times that they have experienced together.

Hillary and Derek have been on my calendar since this past December!!  They are planning a 2017 wedding right in the heart of the Northern Neck where they were both raised and where their roots have been planted.  We scheduled their engagement session for almost exactly one year prior to their wedding day!  Unfortunately, the weather didn’t quite cooperate with our plans- so, we rescheduled for early June!!  It also happened to be the same weekend of the Rappahannock Boys Baseball team state championship game!!

Hillary traveled across the state to be there cheering on her community team and then managed to make it back to the Northern Neck just in time for their engagement session still looking fabulous!!

We discussed quite a few locations for her session- she wanted a location that was full of history and sweet southern charm.  We discussed Williamsburg and Stratford Hall amongst other locations- but the final decision was made to have their session on the beautiful Mount Airy property!!

Hillary made a connection with the property owners and they were more than kind in allowing us to use their home for the session.  There were so many amazing areas to shoot on the property and such great lighting around every turn.  It was one of the warmest days that we had had in a while but it was completely worth it to look back on their gallery and see the amount of love and sunshine flooding through every image!

My favorite images are from the end of their session.  As we work on the front steps of the historic home, steps that were covered in greenery that had grown up over the years- these two became so relaxed and in such a comfort zone with one another.  All of the practice from earlier in the engagement session seemed to flood back to them and they just interacted with each other so genuinely and with ease at that point.  It makes my heart so happy to even think about right now, I just adore my couples and I love working with them and telling their love story!!

I can not wait for May of 2017 to work with these two again on their wedding day!!  Their relationship is so unique and their love for one another is evident!  I just know that their wedding will be a beautiful reflection of that and one joyful celebration!!