I met up with Abby & Chad on a chilly, cloudy Sunday for a beer and a chat at James Joyce’s in downtown Durham, followed by a fun walk around Duke Gardens for their engagement photography session. Cloudy days bring a certain mood and the light was beautifully soft that afternoon. Abby & Chad went with two very contrasting looks for their session. Here are just a few of my faves from our time together. Luckily, the rain held off right till the very end…
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad Black and white portrait of a person with long dark hair, wearing a light-colored top, looking directly at the camera. The background is blurred, emphasizing the subjects face.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-18.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad Black and white portrait of a man with glasses and a beard, set against a blurred background of dark foliage. He is wearing a dark shirt, and the photo has a swirling vignette effect around the edges.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-19.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A man and woman stand closely together, with the mans arms around her shoulders. They both have serious expressions. The background features intertwining branches, adding a natural touch to the scene.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-25.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A man and woman stand facing each other outdoors, smiling warmly. The background is blurred, showcasing green trees along a pathway. The man wears glasses and a dark shirt, while the woman has long dark hair and wears a light-colored top.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-20.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A black and white photo of a couple embracing on a tree-lined pathway. The man stands behind the woman, both facing forward. The path is blurred, emphasizing the couple in the foreground.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-21.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A couple embraces in a sunlit avenue lined with lush green trees. The man in a blue shirt gently holds the woman in a white sweater. They appear content, surrounded by vibrant foliage.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-22.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A black and white photo of a couple standing on a path, embracing and smiling. The woman is wearing a light sweater, and the man is dressed in dark attire. Trees can be seen in the blurred background.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-23.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A tranquil park scene with a small stone bridge over a pond. Two people sit on the bridge, and another person walks nearby. Trees with green and brown leaves surround the area, creating a serene autumn atmosphere.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-26.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A black and white photo of a man and a woman standing close together in front of leafy foliage. The woman rests her hand on the mans shoulder as they both gaze in the same direction. They appear relaxed and contemplative.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-17.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A black and white photo of a couple sitting on a bench in front of dense foliage. They are sharing a kiss. Leaves are scattered on the ground. The image has a soft focus around the edges.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-16.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A couple stands together in a lush garden filled with various shrubs and plants, including cacti and flowering bushes. They are facing each other, smiling, surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage and greenery.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-15.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A woman in a long dress stands in front of tall bamboo stalks. She looks to her left with her hands on her hips. The image is in black and white, highlighting the contrast between the dark bamboo and her lighter attire.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-9.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A couple stands closely in front of a tree with red leaves. The woman has long dark hair and is wearing a gray dress, while the man wears glasses and a blue shirt. Both are smiling at the camera.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-4.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A couple stands closely, smiling at each other, in front of lush palm trees. The image is in black and white, capturing a serene and intimate moment.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-3.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A couple stands outdoors in front of lush greenery. The man, wearing a blue shirt and beige pants, rests his head slightly on the woman. She wears a gray dress and holds his hands, gazing downward with dark hair cascading over her shoulders.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-2.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A black and white photo of a couple embracing and gazing at each other with smiles. They stand in front of greenery, with a large circular sculpture in the background.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-1.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A black and white photo of a smiling couple standing among bamboo stalks. The woman in the foreground holds onto a bamboo stalk, while the man in glasses stands closely behind her, leaning in affectionately.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-6.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A black and white photo of a woman with long hair gently touching a mans face. She looks at the camera while he has his eyes closed. They stand closely in front of a blurred, natural background.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-7.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A couple walks hand in hand down a leaf-covered path in a park filled with autumn foliage. The man wears a dark shirt and khaki pants, while the woman wears a long dark dress. The trees around them display vibrant fall colors.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-8.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A black and white photo of a couple standing together in a bamboo forest. The woman, wearing a sleeveless dress, gently rests her hand on the mans shoulder as they gaze into each others eyes.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-10.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A couple stands closely in a serene bamboo forest, sharing a tender moment. The scene is bathed in soft, natural light, with bamboo stalks surrounding them, creating a peaceful and intimate atmosphere.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-11.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A couple stands closely together, embraced amid lush foliage. The black and white image highlights their expressions and the surrounding leaves, creating an intimate, serene atmosphere.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-12.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A couple stands closely together outdoors. The woman, with long dark hair, looks at the camera with a slight smile. The man, with short hair and a beard, stands behind her, looking downward. They are surrounded by blurred greenery and red leaves.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-5.jpg)
![duke gardens engagement session - abby & chad A scenic park with a central fountain surrounded by trees. A couple sits on a bench near the fountain, enjoying a peaceful moment. Large planters line the pathway, and tall trees create a serene backdrop.](https://www.joepayneweddingphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Duke-Gardens-Engagement-Session-Abby-Chad-14.jpg)