Hope and Alan's engagement images

What fun I had shooting Hope and Alan's engagement images 2 weeks ago! As you may know, I first met Hope and Alan when they came to the Asheville area 2 years ago on vacation when they first started dating. They invited me to their vacation cabin to shoot some images of them as Alan was stationed in Afghanistan and was going back soon and Hope didn't want to miss the opportunity to get some images with her sweetie.  
Well, fast forward to 2010 and Alan has rotated back to the states, which makes Hope a happy lady! What makes Hope even happier is that Alan proposed to her! I knew he would from the first moment I saw them together, they are so in love, their joy and happiness simply fills the room, or the street...!
So, Hope and Alan drove down from Camp Lejeune (where Alan is stationed and a 6 hour drive) to come to Asheville to have me shoot their engagement images and we had a great day together! We walked around, stopped into the French Broad Chocolate Lounge, had lunch at the Lexington Avenue Brewery and went to the veterans memorial in Pack Park. As we cruised around downtown enjoying the gorgeous spring weather, I was consistently taken by how in love these two are. I will let the images speak for themselves..

   Under the stunning Bradford Pear tree in bloom...

 

 A quick stop for a hug as we walked to the Chocolate Lounge

  Hope has Alan right where she wants him!

 How can you not have a good time at the French Broad Chocolate Lounge! 

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 I love how content Hope looks in Alan's arms... too sweet!

 

Hope giving the railing a slide... how could she resist?

 It is not hard at all to get these two to show some affection for the camera!

 Had to grab a shot with the classic truck... 

   No caption needed :)

 Alan showing his love for Nebraska... his home town. 

 Hope wanted to make sure she got a couple of shots with Alan in his dress blues... We walked down to the veterans memorial as we thought it was a fitting place to shoot and captured some wonderful images... this is one of my favorites.

Nikki and Dan - Engagement session

One of the aspects of my work I enjoy the most is getting to spend time with, and document, people in love. Nikki and Dan are perfect examples of this. 
The new couple hired my a year ago to shoot their engagements, wedding and bridals shots. During the year since we signed the contract, I have gotten to know Nikki and Dan really well. We have had many email and phone conversations and the subjects of those conversations have ranged from the many aspects of planning a wedding, to Buddhism,vegetarianism, live music and everything in between. 
Nikki and Dan are one of the couples you hear people speak of... the couples who were made for each other...  "a match made in heaven"... This is not lip service. The support each other fully in their endeavors, they stretch each other to grow, they laugh a lot, honestly listen to each other and to be around them is a real joy. 
Recently, after battling scheduling Dan in Ohio, Nikki in Cary NC, and a non cooperative mother nature, we finally got together in Asheville to shoot their engagements images. We spent time downtown, in the Flat Iron building, and at one of my favorite locales, the botanical gardens at UNC Ashevile. We ate chocolate, walked around and laughed as I kept the camera to my eye looking for images that best represent Nikki and Dan's deep connection. I think I got several images that show their love...


Thanks Nikki and Dan... I had a blast with you guys!





Love the big smile on Nikki's face. This was shot walking around downtown Asheville.


A quiet moment by the creek at the botanical gardens. One of my favorite images.


Lounging on the grass. They are so comfortable together, and this image captures that.


Nikki and Dan spent four months working on their "first dance" for the wedding. Knowing how much time and effort they put into it, I asked them to give me a little demo during our shoot. I was impressed, these two know how to move around the dance floor! * More to come of the dancing couple from the wedding.


Another sweet moment of their deep, loving connection.


Too cute! Hanging out by the river.


This is my second favorite. Nikki leaning on her man, and Dan there for her completely. Love it!