A couple embraces on a garden pathway surrounded by lush greenery and flowers. Stone walls and vibrant plants line the path under a canopy of trees. The sky is partly visible in the background.

Engagements

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September 23, 2019

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durham nc engagement photography | krystina & justin

Autumn is upon us and that means it’s peak season for weddings and engagement sessions! The vast majority of people who book me mention they do so as they like my use of available light and my documentary style, but also want a few relaxed portraits together. Obviously, when we take photos like this, the whole documentary approach has to go out of the window, but I do want my engagement photos to capture the true personalities and dynamics of each couple and their relationships. To do this, I look for the light, position my couples in that light, and then throw out some ideas in order to get a reaction, or not, as the case may be. I also try to keep things moving along, so we don’t hang around too long setting up lights or doing any crazy posing.

The situations below may have been fabricated, but the authenticity of the emotions on offer are totally real. This is Krystina and Justin’s engagement session, which I photographed recently in downtown Durham and out at Sarah P. Duke Gardens. As you can see, they are a super fun couple with a lot of natural chemistry which I really think comes through in the images. I’m really looking forward to photographing their wedding at the Umstead next autumn!

Geek info: these were all shot on a Sony a7iii with a variety of prime lenses both ancient and modern using available light only.

A couple stands close together, smiling at each other fondly. The woman is wearing a long blue dress, and the man is wearing a blue suit. They are leaning against a rustic brick wall adorned with string lights.
A couple walks hand in hand through a brick-walled alley, with string lights hanging overhead. The man wears a dark suit, and the woman wears a flowing lavender dress. They are smiling and enjoying a sunny day.
A couple is happily posing in a brick alleyway. The woman in a light blue dress smiles with closed eyes, while the man in a dark suit playfully puts his arms around her, both making hand gestures with a cheerful expression.
A woman in a blue sleeveless dress stands smiling in front of a rustic, red-painted wooden background. She has curly black hair and is wearing glasses. Her left hand rests on her hip.
A couple embraces and kisses in front of large, imposing stone columns. The woman wears a long blue dress, and the man is dressed in a dark suit. Sunlight casts shadows around them, creating a dramatic and romantic atmosphere.
A woman in a purple dress leans against a column, smiling. In the background, a man in a blue jacket stands casually against another column. Both are outdoors with a blurred architectural background.
A black and white photo of a woman in a strappy dress standing and smiling, while a man in a suit jacket and glasses walks towards her, also smiling. They are in a corridor with large pillars.
A couple embraces and kisses within an abstract, wooden spiral sculpture. The man wears a suit and glasses, and the woman is in a strappy dress. Trees are visible in the background, adding a natural element to the scene.
A man in a suit stands outdoors in front of a building with a fire escape. The image is in black and white, and he is looking directly at the camera.
A couple embraces and kisses under a flowering tree with sunlight filtering through the branches. The background is a soft blur of greenery and buildings, creating a romantic and serene atmosphere.
A woman in a maroon dress laughing and hugging a man in white shirt and beige pants. They are standing on a tree-lined path with a blurred green and yellow background, creating a warm and cheerful atmosphere.
A man joyfully lifts a woman in a tree-lined pathway. She is smiling, wearing a red dress and heels, while he is in a white shirt and khaki pants. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a warm, romantic setting.
A couple embracing under a canopy of lush green trees in a sunlit garden. Red plants add a splash of color on either side, creating a romantic and serene atmosphere.
A couple stands closely together in a scenic outdoor setting. The man, wearing glasses and a white shirt, embraces the smiling woman in a maroon dress. They both look content, with a blurred background of greenery and sunlight filtering through trees.
A couple sits on the edge of a stone fountain. The man wears a white shirt and brown pants, and the woman wears a burgundy dress. They are smiling and holding hands, surrounded by greenery and flowers in the background.
A couple embraces beside a large stone fountain in a lush, green park. The background features tall trees and scattered red flowers among the greenery. The setting has a peaceful, romantic atmosphere.
A couple embraces on a garden pathway surrounded by lush greenery and flowers. Stone walls and vibrant plants line the path under a canopy of trees. The sky is partly visible in the background.
A couple embraces on a path surrounded by lush green plants and small bushes. The person on the right is wearing a red dress, while the person on the left is wearing a white shirt and mustard pants. The garden setting is vibrant and serene.
A couple embraces and smiles in a lush garden setting. The man wears a white shirt and glasses, and the woman wears a red dress. Tall greenery surrounds them, creating a serene, intimate atmosphere.
A couple sits closely on a stone bench in a lush garden, surrounded by vibrant greenery and colorful foliage. They are looking content and relaxed, enjoying the tranquil outdoor setting.
A couple sits together in a serene outdoor setting. The man wears glasses and a white shirt, gently resting his head on the womans shoulder. The woman, also in glasses, wears a dark shirt and seems peaceful. They are surrounded by greenery.
A couple stands closely in a vibrant garden, smiling and looking at each other. The man is wearing a white shirt and brown pants, and the woman is in a red dress. The path around them is lined with colorful flowers and greenery.
A couple stands on a garden path surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers. The man in a white shirt and tan pants holds the woman in a red dress as they gaze into each others eyes, smiling.
A couple sits together on a stone ledge in a lush garden. The man wears a white shirt and mustard pants, and the woman wears a red dress. They are smiling and holding each other under a canopy of green leaves.
Couple embracing and kissing in front of tall bamboo trees. The man is wearing a white shirt and brown pants, and the woman is in a red dress. The bamboo forest creates a lush green backdrop.
A man in a white shirt and glasses stands among tall bamboo stalks, smiling with hands in pockets. A woman in a red shirt is smiling in the foreground, standing closer to the camera. The background is filled with bamboo.
A couple is walking hand-in-hand down a forest path. The man wears a white shirt and mustard pants, while the woman wears a red dress and heels. They appear happy, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage.
Silhouetted couple embracing on a winding path in a park, surrounded by greenery. The scene conveys a sense of romance and tranquility.

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