When we started talking engagement portraits, these two were game for ANYTHING. Of course, I was thinking, “TAKE ME! TAKE ME!” 😉 I’m along for the ride as well, especially if it’s a place that is as photogenic as Charleston, South Carolina!!! Somehow, in the midst of crazy schedules, our calendars aligned! 🙂 We counted down the months and days, and finally, the day arrived and we got together on my way back from Florida to document this special occasion! Megan and I have talked over the phone and email, but I was excited to hang out with these two in person and REALLY get to know them! Gosh, they exceeded my expectations!!! They were one of the sweetest, most personable, joyful couples to not only photograph but adventure around the city and get to know! I loved Megan’s enthusiasm behind and in front of the camera. As we walked around admiring the city together, I looked back and found Megan taking behind the scenes photos and videos with excitement! Her enthusiasm was contagious! 🙂 As joyful as these photos are, I cannot wait to document their love again on their wedding day in September!!!

Charleston caught us by surprise when I stepped out of my car to find that it was in the 50s with a bit of a breeze. But that didn’t stop Brent and Megan from having a great time!!! Even in a spaghetti strapped dress! Although, you would have caught Megan doing jumping jacks behind the scenes trying to warm up in between photos. 😉 HAHA! It was pretty comical because wandering around the town, we crossed paths a couple times with tourist groups. One group recognized Brent and Megan and said, “Goodness! You’re still out here doing jumping jacks!” HAHA! I promise I wasn’t putting them through photography boot camp. 😉 Everyone was so nice and I loved Charleston’s charm!!! One of our favorite spots was, of course, rainbow row! Megan lovessss the color teal so we had a variety of teals to choose from which made it entertaining. 😉 Do you have a wedding color in mind? Charleston has it! Haha!

I loved that every turn had a surprise as we wandered around. So much European influence made us awe over the details from the architecture to the grass growing from the walls and the cobblestone roads. As I was prepping for this shoot, my sweet photog friend, Rebekah, shared some tips with me and I’m so grateful for her and her love for the city!!!! THANK YOU, REBEKAH!!! <3 We had a fabulous experience running around the alleyways! Just see below!!!

Brent & Megan’s Love Story

HOW BRENT AND MEGAN MET

from Megan’s point of view

We actually met on tinder, which I think is becoming more normal these days. We met while he was on deployment here in 2015. He is originally from Lima Ohio, and I grew up in Springfield, Virginia, we are both from different worlds and didn’t see the other coming.  Neither of us had ever been in love before, and I personally never wanted to get married or have kids, but we ended up falling in love pretty much instantly.  We both knew we loved each other 4 days after meeting, said I love you after 7 days of knowing each other, and got tattoos on our ring fingers a few months into the relationship. We spent pretty much every waking moment together, and he would even ride in the car with me while I would make my home nursing visits. After his deployment finished, he flew back and forth every week for 2 and a half years, to spend half the week with me and to go to school, while also taking care of his kids and working full time in Ohio.  He moved heaven and earth to be with me, and finally moved here full time in 2018.

HOW BRENT PROPOSED TO MEGAN

from Brent’s point of view

We have always known we were going to get married, it was just a matter of timing. Megan was just starting graduate school when we met, and she made it very clear that she would not plan a wedding or get married while still in school.  So towards the end of graduate school we began ring shopping and we designed her ring together with a woman in Texas that Megan found on Instagram, Identity Diamonds. She specializes in eco-friendly rings, which was really important to Megan. Through the process, she ended up loving colored gemstones and picked out her favorites, but I had the final say to surprise her; I was a smart man and picked her favorite color blue. We try to go on one big trip a year, and last year it was a cruise throughout the Caribbean and Mexico.  She had never been to Tulum and was most excited about that destination, so I knew I wanted to do it there.  I spent countless hours researching a photographer to capture the moment because I know how much she loves photography, as well as the perfect location and transportation and all the details.  But true to form, she just would not let anything happen, wanting to know all the details about our trip and almost ruined the surprise.  Its amazing to me that she had no idea, though she will say I was acting so weird that morning, honestly I was so nervous it wouldn’t all work out, I couldn’t even eat that morning. I was also nervous that customs officials were going to pull the ring out as they were checking our bag as we were getting off the ship, and nervous because the tour that we were taking (she insisted on tour vs. private transportation), was behind schedule and I had everything timed perfectly.  My phone wasn’t working so thankfully the photographer was still ready for us once I was able to pull her away from the tour group. I proposed on a private beach near the ruins, and it really was a special moment. Even though we always knew we would be partners for life, this moment really changed everything.

Thank you, Brent and Megan, for making the hike to Charleston!!!! What a DREAM come true photographing your love in the gorgeous city! Congratulations on your engagement and I cannot wait to photograph your special day later this year!!! XOXO!!!

Congratulations!!!!