Jami + Michael's Engagement Session at Fort Morgan

I love going to places I’ve never photographed before. There’s something about it that sparks my little creative light and gets a new kind of energy flowing. So when Jami told me she wanted to set up her and Michael’s engagement session at Fort Morgan, I was thrilled! The day was overcast, but that didn’t stop us from getting some amazing + moody images at the fort — the clouds stood in our favor, acting like one big light diffuser!

“I tend to think of the act of photographing, generally speaking, as an adventure. My favorite thing is to go where I’ve never been.”

— Diane Arbus

Leigh Ann + Jonathan | Engaged

Some rainy-filled days changed up our original plan, leading us to this beautiful Mississippi harbor instead. And we're so happy it did! That's the beautiful thing about life, it twists and turns and sometimes you end up in unexpected places meeting wonderful new people and discovering things you could have never imagined if you tried. Leigh Ann & Jonathan's togetherness reminded me of the waters surrounding them. Calm, serene, and free. They moved together, as the wind moves the sea, finding stillness in between. We cannot wait to be a part of their wedding celebration later this year!

“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?”

— Rumi

Macy + Ryan

With all of these hurricanes as of lately, the rain has had it's way of rearranging our busy October schedule of engagement sessions, weddings, and everything in between. Of course, when we finally found a day that would work for Macy + Ryan, it was grey and gloomy. I'm a glass half full kind of girl, so the positive spin to this was having the park all to ourselves and the low, white clouds acting as a natural diffuser for beautiful soft light! We had so much fun with these two capturing their love and fluid sweet moments together among the draping Spanish moss at City Park and in then in the French Quarter. Don't they just make the cutest couple?! So excited for their wedding next year! 

Crystal + Erik | Engaged

"I want to love you wildly. I don't want words, but inarticulate cries, meaningless, from the bottom of my most primitive being, that flow from my belly like honey. A piercing joy, that leaves me empty, conquered, silenced." -Anïs Nin

Katelyn + Neil | New Orleans Engagement

Simple and madly in love. That's All. 

Congratulations to Katelyn and Neil!

Janet + Bryan || Audubon Park Engagement

Janet is calm and kind hearted, which shows itself easily in her body language. Bryan compliments her well by adding some playfulness to their alliance. While getting stung by a caterpillar hanging out on my camera bag wasn't a great way to start their session, I was in good hands with these two soon-to-be doctors. Congratulations to Janet and Bryan!

Jillian + Josh || Editorial Engagement

This couple. Where do I even start? The only way to describe their energy when they're together is with the word contagious. Jillian and Josh showed up in style, of course, as they casually sipped their drinks sitting together on a lively New Orleans street corner that reminded them of when they first met. Jillian walks with an extra beat to her steps, and Josh compliments her aura perfectly. We shared an incredibly sunny and beautiful spring day, as the azaleas bloomed among us. I feel so lucky to be a part of such an intimate and inspiring time of their lives together. Excited is an understatement for their wedding later this year, which I already know will be nothing short of runway-fabulous. 

Grace + Chris || Lifestyle Engagement

From the first time we spoke, I sensed Grace's vibrant energy and right away wanted to be friends with her. She had the door open for my arrival when I pulled up. Inviting as ever, Grace and Chris welcomed me into their weekend oasis, into a slice of their lives together. I was overly excited to photograph them after talking over all the little details of Grace's ideas and the adorable getaway spot they had booked. It was a crisp and serene morning. The clouds were covering the sun, but it eventually shone through. They were smooth and effortless together, their movements complimenting each other. Allowing me into their world, I did my best to observe. By the end, I didn't want to leave. The spirits were too high. I shoot their wedding later this year and I wholeheartedly cannot wait. 

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Kira + Jose || City Park Engagement

When I first met up with Kira and Jose, we connected immediately. Sometimes, it just happens like that. And sometimes, a bird decides to drop one at the precise moment you pose a client for their first photograph of the session. Jose took it like a champ, not only by laughing it off, but also by turning the unfortunate event into a good luck charm instead. These moments are all part of the story and that's what interests me. We walk and talk and joke and get to know each other through the lens. There's playful moments and there's deeper ones. Exchanging good energies, we are all experiencing the present moment and that's what I love. Kira and Jose are getting married, but that's no surprise. It's clear these two were made for one another. 

Congratulations K + J!

Ranell + Bach || New Orleans Engagement

These two arrived hand in hand on a brisk Louisiana morning. We walked around the Quarter, getting to know each other while capturing the moments in between. Ranell has a very relaxed air about her, while Bach a more inquisitive one.  Having been together for a while now, you can tell that both R & B delight in the comfort of being held in one another's arms. 

Caitlin + Naveed || Proposal

We had the pleasure of capturing this surprise proposal Naveed set up for his future fiancé at the Pharmacy Museum in the French Quarter. The surprise element is always so exciting for everyone involved because of the anticipation of the precise life-changing moment. Both Pharmacists themselves, Naveed found this would be the perfect spot to ask his lady to share forever together. Foolproof indeed, Caitlin was shocked, and thrilled and ecstatic and in love. Congratulations again to the beaming couple!

Krista + Clay || Engaged

I've known Krista from an earlier stage of life, possibly in another lifetime. Her and I have always connected on another level and her cheerful aura fills any room she enters. At once a graceful dancer, her personality has always consistently embodied a classic lighthearted way of elegance. When she met Clay, her heart skipped a beat and the two had much in store for a life ahead of them. Who they are together is loving and playful, so naturally consists of a lot of laughter. When Krista called to tell me Clay had asked her to be his future wife, she was elated as was I. Honored to photograph this romantic time in their life is an understatement. Engagement sessions are always exciting because the anticipation of beginning a life together imparts for a gleaming, and ever so energetic couple. When the engagement happens to be between your best friend and the love of her dreams, it is infinitely that much more exciting. 

Above images shot with a Hasselblad 500 cm on Kodak Portra film

Ami + Darshan || Engaged

A simple kind of love is the greatest kind of all. 

We can't wait to be there for Ami & Darshan's big day next year!

Olivia + Dillan || Engaged

Olivia and Dillan arrived with a symbol of their love, in hand. Their pup, Colbie, was Dillan's muse for welcoming Olivia home one day with a little bling tied around her collar. Since then, it's been nothing but love for each other as they started planning the wedding and the rest of their lives together. They way she looks at him says everything. He held her hand as she walked over the rocky pathways, which was a simple gesture implying how he kindly watches and takes care of her. Like the sun gracefully shines down upon the flowers, a love like this can help the other to grow. 

Congratulations again to Olivia & Dillan! We can't wait to be there for their wedding next year! 

Lindsey + Mike || Engaged

As Lindsey and Mike reminisced about when they first met, the way she looked at him revealed a delightful sense of contentment. Her eyes lit up as she asked him to tell the story of how it all began. The lighting was golden as we walked through the park, stopping to hop on trees or pause for a moment on dreamy footbridges. Comfortably in love, these two were made for each other. We can't wait to be there on their special day next year!

Catherine + Justin || New Orleans Engagement

When I met Catherine and Justin just outside of Preservation Hall, they were both looking swanky in their vintage inspired outfits. Catherine was calm and Justin would always be watching out for her, giving her sips of water when she needed it. It was a blistering hot summer day in New Orleans, but they braved through the heat looking gorgeous the whole day through! Congrats to the happy couple!

Meghan + William || A Surprise Proposal

When William contacted me about being there to capture his proposing to Meghan in New Orleans, I could tell by the way he talked about her (just through emails) that he was infatuated with this girl. His plan was so well thought out with every effort to surprise her, even I was taken back by how good it was. The plan went like this: First, bring her from out of town to visit New Orleans for a weekend of togetherness. Second, take her out to eat on the last night at the exact spot they went on their first date. Third, surprise her with a brand new camera for their anniversary. Fourth, hire a photographer to be there to capture the big moment on day of May 10th, their anniversary. Fifth, bring her to Jackson Square at sunset after dinner and ask random 'tourist' (a.k.a. me) to take a photo of them with her new camera. Finally, get down on one knee and the tears rolled down her cheeks... 

Congratulations again to these lovebirds!

Liz + Alex || Engaged

Liz and Alex recently moved to New Orleans to start their new life together in the Big Easy. They were both extremely easy-going and you could tell all they really care about is being together! We had such a lovely time bopping around the city while celebrating their engagement on this particularly beautiful, sunny day. Congratulations to them both!

Carolina + Jon || Engaged

Pups always make engagement sessions a little more lively, especially when they double as assistants! Golden Gate Park can be distracting with all the squirrels and action going on, but these guys played the part and looked even cuter when they started panting from all the hard work. Congratulations to Carolina & Jon!