As you can tell, this week was a jam-packed week of engagement sessions and two beautiful weddings! I’m excited to conclude this week with Kyle and Lauren’s engagement session at Oatlands Historic House and Gardens in Leesburg, Virginia!!! <3 We met last week for their portraits and one of the first things Lauren mentioned was how nervous she was to have their pictures done. Honestly, I say about 99% of my couples admit this from the getgo, and I admit to them that I am the SAME WAY before I get in front of the camera! It’s actually good to hear my couples admit this too because it means they care. They want to look natural. They want their personalities to shine. They want their LOVE to ooze through the photos. They want to look beautiful. So I’m very grateful to have couples who understand the importance and value of photography and trust I will capture these qualities for them! 🙂 To ease the initial nerves, I encouraged Lauren reassured that I will guide them the entire time so they can just go with the flow and enjoy the evening!
To ease the initial nerves, I encouraged Lauren reassured that I will guide them the entire time so they can just go with the flow and enjoy the evening! And, boy, did we have a great time!!!! My heart was bursting the entire session — The lighting, their outfits, their sweet hugs and giggles, the secret gardens, the beautiful backdrops around the property — Even bunny friends came out to play with us! I’m not kidding… I didn’t realize that Lauren is really Snow White (appropriate thought because Kyle proposed to her in the snow)! Haha! We came across over eight bunnies throughout our short time together!!! I made sure to include one … or two 😉 … photos of our friends in this post! HA! I couldn’t resist!!! I cannot wait to see what adventures we endure on the day of their wedding!!! I know it will be just as fun!
Kyle & Lauren’s Love Story
How Kyle and Lauren Met
from Lauren’s perspective
In May 2014, while attending a country music festival, I was introduced to Kyle by mutual friends. And even though we both share a love of country music, we didn’t exactly hit it off right away!
I spent a majority of the day avoiding Kyle after friends had cautioned me that our personalities would clash. You see, anyone who knows us will agree that we are both very headstrong! And not surprisingly, as the day wore on we finally got to talking, despite the advice from our friends. And just like that, we were inseparable for the rest of the evening!
When the concert was over, Kyle offered me a ride back to our friends’ house. And being the gentleman that he is, Kyle gave me a boost into his lifted Jeep. Since he had the top and doors off, he offered me a blanket to keep warm on the drive home.
Of course, I refused but he insisted again that I would be cold. I assured him that I would be fine–after all, it’s a short drive! Unwilling to give in, Kyle got out of the Jeep, pulled a blanket from the back, and walked around to the passenger side.
Without saying a word, he unfastened my seatbelt, placed the blanket over me (arms and all) and tucked me in tightly on both sides like a human burrito! Then he fastened the seatbelt around me, smiled, and gave me a kiss. At that moment, I knew that Kyle was different from anyone I had ever met. As he walked back around to the driver’s side, I couldn’t help but smile because I knew I had met someone special!
How Kyle Proposed to Lauren
from Kyle’s perspective
It was early December. I had picked up the ring from the jeweler a couple months back and was just waiting for our first snow of the winter. After a week of constantly checking the weather, it happened. It finally snowed! Lucky for me, Bears Den is very close to our home. With the rock garden and amazing scenic overview of the Shenandoah, it made for the perfect spot to propose to my future wife.
Lauren knows that I love the snow so under the guise of going for a quick hike up to Bears Den to see the snow-covered trees, I was able to get her into a jacket and out the door. While we were walking to the overlook, Lauren kept commenting that the snow-covered trail reminded her of something out of a fairytale. She had no idea how right she was! We got to the overlook and although the snow was beautiful, it limited the visibility of the view. Fortunately for us, Bears Den also has a rock garden just a bit further down the trail.
We walked to the rock garden; I quickly mounted my GoPro to a nearby tree and checked the background. It was perfect. I walked back over to Lauren and we took a couple of pictures before I started recording. She turned around to admire the snowy woods and when she turned back around I had dropped to one knee while holding the ring. She was speechless but eventually exclaimed, “YES!” It was by far one of the happiest moments of my life!
Thank you, Kyle and Lauren, for trusting me behind the camera to capture this exciting, new adventure you two are embarking! Just wait until your wedding day! AH! We will have a great time celebrating together!!!! I cannot WAIT! <3 I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do!!!! CONGRATS!
Hair by: A Touch of Gray by Chong // Makeup by: Amazing Occasions
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