Marla and Dan: Engaged!

Meet Marla and Dan. They are in love with each other. Our cameras are in love with them. They have a beautiful connection that was amazing to capture.

For their engagement session, we met the couple at Umstead Sate Park . I like engagement session locations to reflect something about the couple, rather than just choosing a generic location because it's pretty or has flowers blooming or is easy to get to. Marla and Dan both enjoy spending time together outdoors and Umstead is one of their favorite places to hike, so naturally, it was the perfect place. The beautiful light in this image is courtesy of the lake to the right. It was a bright sunny day and light was bouncing off that lake and flowing into the woods like crazy. As photographers, we look for the light first and background second. If you have beautiful light, you can make great images no matter what's in the background. Beautiful background, bad light? You either have to make the light you need or move on to another location -- it's that simple. In this case, we had both -- plus, one seriously gorgeous couple.

Dan is a police officer in Durham. I confessed that I'd never made the acquaintance of a law enforcement officer outside of the very few times I've seen one walking up to my car in the rear-view mirror. I was a little intimidated but he put me at ease right away. I won't call him a sweetheart because that might hurt his street-cred, but he was relaxed, fun and obviously crazy-in-love with Marla. 

Marla is sweet, easy to talk to and works for an insurance company as one of the good guys. Plus, hello? Gorgeous much? I cannot wait to photograph this woman in a wedding gown. My camera just might melt, so Marla, I will be sure to bring back-ups for our back-ups!

One for the Parentals...

...and one for us.

The sun was really, really bright by the lake, so we played with it a bit.

Here's one reason why Umstead is a special place for this couple: their tree. See the date? Dan carved their initials on the tree back in December of 2007. They're getting married in May, so I think a return trip is in order to add their wedding date. Everyone say it with me now..."Awwwww...."

Marla and Dan, we are so excited to photograph your Duke Gardens wedding in May!

You can see more from Marla and Dan's e-session here.