I met Sarah & Aaron at a wedding show and they said a few things that piqued my interest. First, they said ‘mountains’. Then they said ‘hang-gliding’. Like, they were planning to get married, and the next morning they were going to jump off of that mountain together. Whoa. So, yeah – I wanted in. This is their engagement session in downtown Raleigh.
Corey is a super easy going guy. I worked with him for his yearbook portrait at his school, but he and his family wanted something more. Something that had a little more personality. They knew they wanted a whole album full of fun photos of him, and you can’t get that from a yearbook mini session. So – we met up downtown and spent some time checking out all the ally-ways and little tucked out of the way spots. I found something new this time I hadn’t seen before and it was PERFECT for a senior. See if you can figure out what it was 🙂
This is a family that I photographed five years ago – the girls were really small then, 5 & 3 I think. We had gone to a garden and the images were sweet, and pretty. Now though, they’ve moved to a neighborhood near downtown, their girls are 10 & 8 and they wanted something to reflect this new phase of their lives. Something a little ‘edgier’ with a little more attitude. So – downtown we went! I love that there is such a variety of backdrops downtown – brick, corrugated metal, iron railings, painted walls, cool architecture and fun allyways – TONS of spots in a short walking area. When working downtown, I almost always finish up at the new Raleigh Union Train Station. I know. A train station – but Seriously – they have this amazing plaza out front with the best textures and the LIGHT in the late afternoon is just so so pretty. So when you are ready to have a little attitude (and who’s not, this year – I mean really) – let me know and we’ll go rock out downtown.
I love an engagement session- especially one with a doggo 😉
We were supposed to do this session in mid-March – and it rained. And then we moved to Stay-at-home orders and had to postpone (again) -so when we finally got to do this in MAY – we were all so excited. These two didn’t need any direction from me whatsoever – they were super snuggly, cuddly and up for anything. And their pupper is SO CUTE y’all.
We started off at Umstead Park and then went downtown for a different look. Turns out, they are huge fans of a Soccer team in Philadelphia – so they even brought their t-shirts and scarves (and game faces!) for some shots.
We had so much fun, that now I’m really looking forward to their October wedding.
Yep. It’s not a park. It’s just….. downtown. But I promise you this is one of the COOLEST places to photograph. If you have little kids, don’t stress – everywhere we go is a little tucked out of the way – streets that aren’t too heavily traveled.
There are different areas of downtown so we can photograph in the historic City Market area and Moore square, Central / Fayetteville / Capitol building area – even as far south as the Performing arts Center- or head west to the hip warehouse area and union station. Sometimes we start in one place and just wander – seeing what little cool gems we can find. I promise, it’s an adventure!
He’s applying to MIT. Seriously – M.I.T.
Not many kids around here can say that! He’s in the graduating class at Raleigh Charter High School and totally crushing it. You go, Grant. Not only is he smart, but he was a sweet, mature and perfectly enjoyable high schooler to hang out with for a while 🙂
This is the 2nd high school senior from this family that I’ve had the pleasure of photographing. Her Brother also brought his band instrument along, as well as the coolest dog on the planet – really. Audrey knew how to rock this session for sure- especially in that blue dress – amirite?!
If there’s something that’s important to you- whether it be your music, your dog, or whatever, let’s show that off 🙂
Your senior year is a big deal, you’re about done with high school, and you are ready to embark on your first really big adventure. It’s only fitting that you celebrate that time. As with many high school boys, it was his mom who really wanted to do this – it’s ok, most boys are not super gung-ho about portraits. I get it. But we worked together to find places that really reflected Connor’s personality. We spent a little time at really cool library, and then we headed to a local coffee shop for some quiet reading time. Whatever you want to do to celebrate this time in your life, let’s go do it!
These two are yin & yang for real. They are twins and I swear they are both each other’s other half – if that makes any sense. One is quieter and more methodical, one is wide open. And they love each other fiercely! They are both headed off to college this next fall and I know that they only applied to ONE college together, the rest were independent selections. If I were a twin, I’m not sure I could go off to school by myself – but these young women are STRONG and if that’s what they decide, then it’s the right choice for them.
For now, they are together laughing it up in downtown Raleigh and then the Arboretum (see, one wanted an ‘urban’ feel and one wanted a more ‘subdued’ look) I love it 🙂
Check out their previous session with me!
