Wedding season 2015 started off with a bang with Sara + Daniel’s wintry downtown Raleigh engagement session. Icy roads, overcast skies, and drizzly weather might have deterred another couple, but Sara and Daniel embraced the crazy February weather, and together we found inspiration in unexpected places.

So often I find myself shooting engagement sessions in the same places: picturesque spring gardens, sunny fields, local parks. I appreciated Sara and Daniel’s offbeat vision for their photos, which included (in their own words): “cracked sidewalks, tall grass in empty lots, flaking murals, and rusty warehouses.” At one point during the shoot they even told me we could get grittier, so we moved to a muddy lot near train tracks and found an abandoned couch in the middle of a field. They embraced their adventurous side: traipsing through fields and climbing slippery mounds to get the perfect shot.

One of my goals for 2015 is to really challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone, so I decided to use lights for majority of this shoot. As much as I enjoy utilizing “magical” available light at sunset, some days (like this gross winter day!) you just can’t rely on that. My assistant Kasha Mammone did a wonderful job maneuvering the soft box and positioning herself in precarious spots to create the perfect light.

I love making pictures that honor my clients’ unique stories. Daniel proposed to Sara in a field of monarch butterflies in Mexico (I know, I know. Way to trump every other couple’s engagement story, guys!) The last spot we hit in Raleigh showcased a beautiful butterfly mural, which is so fitting for Sara and Daniel. These last photos are graphic and simple, but I think they are my favorites from the shoot. While any other couple would look cool in front of this mural, it contains a deeper meaning for Sara and Daniel.

Sara and Daniel, thanks for being so adventurous during our shoot! I loved collaborating with you to make these pictures and can’t wait to see how you creatively use them for your wedding!

To view all of the photos from Sara + Daniel’s session and order prints, please visit their online gallery on my print shop!