After snow caused us to reschedule Mara + Ryan’s original engagement session date back in March, thunderstorms in the forecast then caused us to make a last-minute change from our already re-scheduled sunset session to a sunrise session instead!  But these two were so easy-going about both of these little bumps, and I have to say that I think it worked out in our favor!  We ended up with beautiful May weather and gorgeous sunrise light for their session!  We met in the VT Duck Pond parking lot before the sun had even broken the horizon, and we spent the early morning wandering the Duck Pond together as the sunrise light began filtering through the willow trees in the softest way!  Other than a few cars driving through campus, there was hardly anyone around and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves!

Mara + Ryan met while they were in school at Virginia Tech, so it made perfect sense to have their engagement session back in Blacksburg even though they both live over 3 hours away now!  They’re navigating a long-distance engagement, which must be so challenging at times, but it’s evident when you see them together that they’re doing it with an incredible amount of grace!  It takes a strong commitment and a lot of patience to nurture a relationship (not to mention, plan a wedding!) while separated by hundreds of miles, and I think the fact that these two do it with so much grace speaks volumes about the strength of their relationship (and their future marriage!)!  It was such an honor to capture these two together, and I am so excited to share my favorites from their engagement session with y’all!

When I saw this glowy light on the Drillfield, I knew we had to spend a few minutes here!!

I loved the arch of this willow tree over the bridge in this next frame on the right!

I love this next shot of Mara!  So pretty, girl!!

I love this next one on the Drillfield, especially in black & white!

And I have to end with another of my favorites!!  I love the joy in this next image!  🙂

 

Mara, Ryan, thank you for spending the morning with me and for allowing me to be part of this sweet season of your lives!  I already can’t wait for your wedding day next June!