Trump Winery Engagement Session | Charlottesville Wedding Photographer | Brad + Lauren

Trump Winery Engagement Session | Charlottesville Wedding Photographer | Brad + Lauren

There's something so inspiring about traveling to gorgeous destinations for engagement sessions or weddings, and when the venue is as gorgeous as the Albemarle Estate at Trump Winery, newly added on last year, I knew the whole day would be amazing. Even though it had been raining all week, the clouds parted and the sun came out for this gorgeous winery engagement session.

Brad and Lauren met by chance and quickly formed what they call Team45 - their own little club for just the two of them, one that's lasted through the years. In July Brad blew Lauren away with a complete surprise proposal, and this traveling duo knew their next big adventure was just about to begin. Charlottesville stole their hearts with its picturesque mountains and vineyard backdrop, and became the place for their future wedding - as well as the most perfect engagement session I could imagine...

Norfolk Botanical Gardens Engagement Session | Norfolk Wedding Photographer | Trey + Shannon

Norfolk Botanical Gardens Engagement Session | Norfolk Wedding Photographer | Trey + Shannon

If black and white is wrong, then I don't want to be right. Trey and Shannon's engagement session was so beautiful and so sweet and intimate that even with the gorgeous Norfolk Botanical Gardens as a backdrop, letting the emotions speak for themselves was my goal through and through. We met on an afternoon that threatened rain but failed to deliver, encouraging visitors out of the gardens so we could have the whole place to ourselves.

Trey is leaving just a few days after their wedding this September for a deployment, so he dressed in his uniform to give Shannon a way to remember him during the long months ahead. He claimed to feel awkward in front of the camera but as soon as his future bride was in his arms, all nerves melted away and he focused just on what - and who - was right in front of him. A day that started as cloudy and stormy turned into the most joy-filled engagement session I have photographed in quite some time...

Letting Life Overtake Work | Monday Musings

Letting Life Overtake Work | Monday Musings

I stress out about a lot of things I probably shouldn't worry over. I am sure a few of you can relate...and if not, please tell me your secret! One of my biggest stressors (even if that's not a word) this year has been, honestly, my perception of myself. Going full-time in photography has been nothing short of wonderful - I would never in a million years have dreamed that I was cut out for it, but this life is perfect for me. I can work from the couch or my standing desk. I can start work early or take time off in the afternoon when I have evening hours. I can visit family when I have destination engagement sessions like this past weekend in at the Trump Winery in Charlottesville.

Yet what stresses me out is not my work, but how much work I have. Sometimes I am busy from sun up to sundown hustling, sending emails, updating social media, photographing clients, and taking care of my daily duties. Other days I wake up with a fairly short to-do list and a weird feeling that I should always be busy no matter what. That if I do not fill an 8 or 9 hour day with work on my business, I am doing something wrong...