A woman in a blue dress and a man in a red checkered shirt share smiles during their Duke Gardens engagement session, standing amidst a beautifully blurred, leafy backdrop.

Engagements

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June 4, 2014

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duke gardens engagement session – meghan & adam

Dear Internets,

Being chosen to document a Duke University Chapel wedding is always an honour. Being asked to be the photographer for the wedding of Duke University Chapel’s Director of Worship is extremely humbling indeed.

In our initial consultation call, Meghan and I both agreed that it’s important for there to be a connection of minds. So it was great to spend some tome together with Meghan and Adam ahead of the big day to get to know each other a bit more, have fun and experiment. We met early one Monday morning for a cup of coffee and headed out into the early morning sunshine to take some engagement photos around the gorgeous grounds of Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

Working at the same places over and over is great as it pushes me to constantly experiment and try something new. I’m not really interested in reproducing shots I’ve already done and engagement sessions always provide a good forum for trying new things. Of course, I always make sure to get the go-to shots in the bag, but then try to mix things up with something a little more technically challenging. Sometimes, the shot comes off and sometimes I fail miserably. I always come away feeling I challenged myself and tried to produce something special. On this particular morning, it was amazing how harsh the light was even though we were out taking pictures by 8, but we worked with it and I’m really pleased with how the shots turned out.

Here are a few of my fave images from our time together:

A black and white image of a large, dense tree with a pointed shape, set against a dark forest background. Theres a small person with a dog, sitting on a bench beneath the tree. A signature is visible in the bottom right corner.
A couple stands close together, facing each other amidst sparkling water droplets in a softly lit, romantic setting. The warm light creates a dreamy atmosphere around them.
A vintage-style photo of two people walking beside a small pond in a park, surrounded by lush trees and greenery. A large willow tree stands out in the background.
A couple sits on a stone wall in a sunlit park. The man, wearing a red shirt, sits beside the woman in a blue dress. They appear relaxed and content as they enjoy the lush greenery and vivid colors of the trees around them.
A vibrant garden scene showcasing a variety of colorful flowers, including tall alliums and other blooms, bathed in warm sunlight. The background is softly blurred, highlighting the lush and lively atmosphere.
A serene garden scene with a small statue of a child at the center of a circular fountain. In the background, stone steps lead up to a tree-covered archway. Green foliage and decorative planters line the path.
A black and white photo of a couple embracing under an archway, framed by trees and foliage. The image has a vintage, faded appearance with a blurred background, creating an intimate and nostalgic atmosphere.
A serene scene featuring a vibrant red footbridge crossing over a tranquil pond, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage reflecting in the water below.
A couple sits on a low stone wall in a blooming garden, surrounded by vibrant purple and pink flowers. They hold hands and smile at the camera, with sunlight filtering through the lush greenery.
A black and white photograph of two people embracing amid a forest of sunlit trees. The surrounding foliage creates a bright, dreamy atmosphere. A signature is visible in the lower right corner.
A couple is walking hand in hand down a forest path, surrounded by dense green trees and dappled sunlight.

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