As a Virginia-based wedding photographer with a passion for capturing authentic moments, preparing for your Engagement Session is a crucial step towards creating timeless memories.

Keep in mind that an Engagement Session is not only a time to get some amazing pictures of the two of you, it’s also a trial with your Wedding Photographer.

In this guide, we’ll explore the key elements that contribute to a successful engagement session.

This Charleston-inspired wedding in Roanoke, Virginia, will forever remain etched in my heart as a timeless celebration of love and elegance.

The fusion of Charleston charm with the natural beauty of their private estate created an environment that was nothing short of magical. A vision started by the bride and her mother and put together in an exquisite way by Caroline La Rocca.

From the moment one set foot on the picturesque private estate, it was clear that this wedding was something truly special, creating an environment that felt like a page out of a fairy tale.

Why not dress up and have a night out in downtown Roanoke for your engagement pictures? And if it ends at Texas Tavern that is a plus!

Love is a powerful emotion that can bring two people together, creating a bond that withstands the test of time. For Amelia and Eddie, their love story is one that started with a simple date at Sidecar. Eddie remembers seeing Amelia’s infectious smile when she got out of the car. The dinner they had together and the stories they shared with each other helped to show that they both had similar interests, the chemistry was there.

They share a passion for going for long walks in their neighborhood, drinking a coffee and dreaming about their future. They also share a deep admiration for each other’s qualities, which have strengthened their relationship over time.

Searching for a wedding photographer is not an easy task. There are so many good photographers out there that you just keep scrolling and filling out inquiries, waiting for a sign or something that says, “this is the one”.

Sometimes there is a silence after the initial contact, couples get overwhelmed by all the new information they are receiving or they just get busy with wedding planning on top of their normal busy lives. This is what happened with Hannah & Richard.

I don’t always reach out after the first contact, but for some reason I did with them and man, was it worth it…

They were moving at the time and I remember during our zoom call that they looked tired and overwhelmed, so I told them to reach out when they were settled. Finally, less than a month before their wedding day, we shot their engagement session and it is one of the most fun and energetic sessions I have shot so far!

I just got back from Italy and I feel restored and full of ideas! I haven’t blogged in who knows how long and the best day to post is the day you decide to post! It’s not written anywhere but I’ll stick with it! Haha

I met up with Quinn at a local coffee shop after she had contacted me about her wedding photography and immediately we knew that we were a match! It doesn’t always happen, to have that connection and to know that yes, this is the person I want to photograph our wedding.

We were on our zoom call with snacks and wine deciding what would be best for their engagement session. Typically we talk about what my couples like to do together so that each session is customized and unique. First thought was top do them at Rachel’s parent’s house on the lake, but then we talked how the wedding was going to be there and it would be cool to do something different for their engagement pictures.

While talking about outfits, Rachel says that she had ordered a dress and that she was dying to wear it. She texted me a picture of it and immediately I started thinking urban style, elegant and we kept on throwing ideas out back and forth, until we decided that Georgetown was the perfect spot!

When I met Travonia & Tim they were both nervous about pictures. Travonia said she wasn’t a huge lover of getting her picture taken and I knew I had to break that for her!

The Penthouse at Center in the Square is their wedding venue and they really wanted to include it in their engagement session as well. After the first shots I knew we were going to have a blast and I felt them both relaxing more and more in front of my camera, allowing me to see their true personalities come through.

When I think about crazy in love, I immediately think of Kate & Evan! There is this positive energy coming from them and irradiating all around, you can feel the love in the air from miles away!

Evan and Kate’s first date was at a local restaurant in Salem, Va, the town where they grew up. They were both so nervous, they tore the straw wrappers into million little pieces. They ended up talking about anything and everything. Lots of laughing especially when they both ordered from the kid’s menu!

I met Kurt a few years ago while I was shooting a wedding. He was the hired videographer, which by the way his work is super amazing!

When he got engaged, he reached out immediately and after meeting Anmol I knew I HAD to be their wedding photographer!

When we were talking about locations, there was no doubt that it had to be the Lincoln Memorial. DC is their place and they had so many memories attached to it.

Katherine & Steve are one of those couples that had to postpone their engagement session and wedding date quite a few times because of Covid.

When we finally got the chance to be out and about again we talked about location and what better place than the town where they met for the first time in person, Leesburg, Virginia.

After meeting on eHarmony, they decided it was time to meet in person hoping that the connection was there just like it was via messages. It took them forever to order an appetizer because they couldn’t stop talking. At one point she asked Steve to stand up so she could take a better look at him and she asked him on a second date before the first one was over!

He immediately knew there was something special so he saved the receipt and gave it to her on their first anniversary!