Oh, friends. You’re in for a treat today. I just loved this session! Last Sunday, I met Connor & Elyse in Boyce, Virginia at the State Arboretum for their spring engagement session. I left feeling so inspired!

Shooting in the spring means gorgeous colors from all around as creation wakes up from the winter. That being said, this season also brings an unpredictable element that can make for an epic session: the increased likelihood of a storm!

As I drove to their session, I thought for sure we’d be battling rain showers and the darkest of clouds. To my great joy, the thick clouds rolled away over the mountains just in time. I had set my expectations low, but suddenly was BLOWN away by the lighting, breeze, and the brightness that was to come.

My heart was bursting knowing their dream of golden engagement portraits was coming true.

As if the epic movement in Elyse’s hair (and gorgeous dress) weren’t already enough, the clouds brought the perfect amount of diffusion to the sun. This allowed me to shoot in directions I normally can’t shoot when the sun is in full force! It was amazing to get to look at one of my favorite spots with an entirely different perspective!

Soft light and epic sunset aside, the most inspiring thing about this session was really Elyse and Connor. They are both so sweet, kind, down to earth and so head over heels in love for each other. They radiate joy and their laughter was simply infectious. I think we would all agree that we could use a serious cheek massage afterwards! These two just light up around each other, and getting them in front of my camera made me even more excited for their Raspberry Plain Manor wedding this fall!

These two just light up around each other.

Thank you both for trusting me from beginning to end and for running through fields of sticky twigs to catch the last glitters of good light as I continued to say, “Let’s go! Follow me!” I’m counting down the days until your wedding this fall! Until then, I’ll relish in these images — and I hope you will, too — because truly you two, your kind of love is worth relishing in.

Until then, I’ll relish in these images — and I hope you will, too — because truly you two, your kind of love is worth relishing in.