Y’all, these two and our sunrise session together on Richmond’s waterfront were just an absolute dream.  I mean, let’s be honest, Mandy + Bryan would have made my job easy no matter when or where we were shooting, but the views of the skyline from Potterfield Bridge + the walkways along the canals on Browns Island were truly the perfect backdrop for their engagement session!  (If you happened to catch my insta stories that day, you may already know how enamored I was with the location they chose!  GAH!  I love our mountains in southwest Virginia, but I’ve gotta say, I swooned over these downtown views Richmond had to offer!)  And starting our session at sunrise meant we almost had the whole bridge and island to ourselves!  100% worth the 4:30am wake-up call.

I know y’all hear me say this all the time, but seriously… one of my very favorite things about being a photographer is the friendships that grow between me and my clients!  And Mandy + Bryan are a perfect example of that!  Yes, technically, I was working that morning.  I was thinking about light and camera settings and posing.  But more than that?  I was getting to know these two people who have invited me into one of the most important seasons of their life!  We chatted about their jobs (she’s a nurse, he’s a firefighter/EMT, and the intersection of their jobs is actually how they met!), their favorite trips they’ve been on together (Bryan proposed while they were on vacation in Hawaii!), their two sweet pups (who joined us for part of the session – just wait until you see those cuties!), and if I’m being honest, it barely felt like work and it mostly felt like hanging out with two new friends.  🙂  And in between our chatting, they held hands, and they pulled each other close, and they even slow danced in Brown’s Island Park.  And I cannot wait one minute longer to show you my favorites from our time together!

Y’all, I love this next one!  So quiet + romantic.  (plus, can I have Beyonce wind like this at every session, please??  Richmond was showing off for these two!)

Didn’t Bryan do a great job choosing Mandy’s ring??  Such a classic + timeless style!

and I love this next one of Mandy with her pup, Holby. <3

best friends … 😉

GAH!  I love this next frame so much!  Mandy, you are gorgeous, girl!

I love, love, love this next shot of Mandy on the left!

This twirling shot is another of my favorites!!!

We ended our session over at the Byrd Theater, where Bryan + Mandy’s names and wedding date were on the marquis!

Mandy, Bryan, thank you again for inviting me into this season of life with y’all and for trusting me to capture these moments for you!  I have so enjoyed getting to know y’all and I already cannot wait for your wedding next spring!