Anna and Nick

Planning these two’s engagement session was so much fun. I really enjoyed chatting with Anna, exchanging ideas for locations, shots, and the overall look for their engagement pictures. As with all my clients, I wanted engagement photos to be more than pictures. I wanted this time to feel like a hot date, and that’s what it was. We settled on starting at Whiskey Kitchen, where Anna and Nick grabbed their favorite cocktails and chatted in Whiskey’s mid-century classic bar area. After drinks, we walked to a nearby parking deck where we could take in the city’s skyline. Afterwards, we headed to one of Raleigh’s best parks —Dorothea Dix where we popped champagne, ran through the grass, and laughed a whole lot. From a third-wheel perspective, it was a pretty successful date. Great drinks, better company, and real moments. But it took intentionality from all of us.

Anna and Nick were intentional in communicating what they wanted and were really honest about what they didn’t want.

  • They did their homework. I sent them tips and info on how to get comfy and ready to really lean into the experience and avoid the awkward moments, and they really took it in.

  • They let loose, got a drink, and actually flirted with each other like any other date night.

  • I scoped out locations that would fit their styles, mood, and vision.

  • I got to know their story —how they met, first date, proposal, typical date nights, favorite foods, embarrassing moments.

  • I kept them talking and interacting. We covered everything from what store we need if we lived in a tiny podunk town, to proudest moments, writing metaphors for each other, to making up ridiculous pet names.

And it was kind of perfect.

Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer
Whiskey Kitchen Engagement - Dorthea Dix Park Engagement - Raleigh Wedding Photographer - Raleigh Engagement Photographer - North Carolina Wedding Photographer