Sara & Elliott || A Warehouse District Engagement in Raleigh & Apex

Sara and Elliott are, as you read this, counting down the days until summer vacation. They're both elementary school teachers in Wake County (Sara teaches fourth grade and Elliott teaches second)--they met in the education program at Gardner-Webb University. Sara is a girl after my own heart--she's a lover of all things Disney! Not only did Elliott propose in Disney World (sounds familiar!), but Sara had him sign her character autograph book afterwards, and underneath his name, she wrote, "Prince Charming"! I fully plan to be on the lookout for hidden Mickeys at their wedding next April.

For their adorable springtime engagement session, we started in Apex at the property of a friend of Elliott's family, which they lovingly refer to as the Powell Estate. In addition to having gorgeous grounds and lovely and perfect outbuildings, apparently, the family has never sold or given away or otherwise disposed of any cars. A graveyard of old car parts extended farther than I could see, but the real highlight was the row of rusted up antique car bodies. After we had gotten our fill of that unique location, we headed into the Warehouse District in downtown Raleigh--I had been wanting to shoot in that area for months, and I'm so glad that Sara and Elliott were up for it! I can't wait for their wedding next year, but in the meantime, I can share their lovely engagement images! Enjoy them below! (More on Facebook.)

Rachel || UNC Chapel Hill Senior Portraits

Rachel is a 2014 alumna of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Graduation was just this past weekend, and so I am very excited to share the senior photos I had the pleasure to take of Rachel. The campus was busy and bustling, not only with other graduates (and some fellow photographers!) taking photos and students enjoying the nice weather, but with giant groups of prospective students taking tours, parents, folks throwing frisbees, and general late-in-the-semester college activity. Rachel and I have something special in common--her fiance, Tom, is a Navy man just like Michael. Tom surprised Rachel by coming up from Pensacola to see her graduate, and even though I wasn't there to document that part, I know how it feels, and I hope it made her graduation even more special! Rachel heads out soon to take up a Teach for America teaching position in Kinston, NC, and I wish her all the luck in the world! Enjoy her images below! (More on Facebook.)

Nina & Jimmy || A Duke Gardens Engagement

Nina and Jimmy are an awesome couple of engineers who booked with us through the Forever Bridal wedding show in January. We met with them at Fullsteam in Durham to discuss their wedding plans (they brought their boy Zeus with them!), and their wedding reception--in just a few short weeks!--will be at the Mystery Brewing Pub House in Hillsborough. For their engagement session, they wanted to head to the beautiful Sarah P. Duke Gardens, and they were such good sports as we slogged through the masses of teenagers bedecked for prom. They are super fun and super adorable, and we're excited for their upcoming wedding! Enjoy their photos below! (More on Facebook.)

Meghan & Ryan || A Northgate Park Engagement

Meghan and Ryan had their first date in Northgate Park, five years ago. We did the first photos of their session on "their bench," where they kept going even after that first date to sit and talk and get to know one another. They are so sunshine-y and adorable, and clearly love nothing more than cuddling up with one another and having a little goofy fun. I am excited for their winter wedding next January, and psyched to share their beautiful engagement photos with you. Check them out below! (More on Facebook.)