Lindsay and Adam's engagement session at Loch Raven Reservoir in Phoenix, MD is everything a photo shoot can be. We started by meeting for a walkthrough of their wedding venue, Eagle's Nest Country Club, and then drove a mile down the road to one of my favorite spots along the water. It was a cloudy evening, and dusk was falling fast. I love that this location has the best of both worlds- dark and moody pine forest, and well-lit, sandy shoreline. It's perfect almost any time of day, any weather. Lindsay's white calico dress provided such an understated and classic softness out in the open and a beautiful contrast against the rich green foliage of the woods.  

It didn't take much to get these two giggling, and Adam was ALL for being affectionate in front of the camera. Sometimes guys are hesitant to loosen up, but I hope these photos prove how beautiful vulnerability can be and inspire someone else to just go for it. I think Lindsay was a little taken aback at how comfortable he was too, and her smile just glowed the entire time because of him! 

Since it was overcast and quickly becoming dark, we started the session in the the woods to take advantage of what little light there was left. Adam and Lindsay danced, cried, and sang to each other through laughter. If you zoom in on one of these photographs, you can see a sweet little tear rolling down her face. She instinctively wiped it away, but I'm such a sucker for emotion and begged her not to. I'd asked them to reflect back on the first years of their relationship and that's certainly something to tear up over! I mean, you've been with this other human being for years, and now you're choosing to spend the rest of your lives together! It's kind of a big deal. I honestly get a little welled up just typing these words! 

That's part of why engagement photos are so special. They represent this pause before the next chapter. It can feel like such a long wait, but 30 years from now, it'll feel like the blink of an eye. I want my couples to have photos from their wedding day in addition to a visual of the time before forever. That moment when you were just two friends, completely and madly in love with one another.