Fall Foliage -- a favorite engagement photography background

Following up my fascinating blog post about using a blank wall as a background for engagement photographs, I feel the need to feature a background that is a bit more expected … fall foliage.

This time of year just makes me want to head off to a beautiful state park in the north Georgia mountains, Vogel State Park or Smithgall Woods for example, with a camera in hand and a couple in tow.

Here are a few of my favorite couples in a few of my favorite fall foliage engagement photos.

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Blank wall — a favorite engagement photography location:

One of my favorite spots for engagement photos, actually for any portrait, is a blank wall … a mostly blank wall. Actually most walls, even ones that are one color, are not really completely blank.

Little Five Points

Example: Drew and Shea’s engagement portrait was taken against a red brick wall in Little Five Points. The texture and pattern in the bricks adds to the image without distracting from the couple.

High Museum of Art

The neutral wall of the High Museum made for a simple background for this stoic portrait of Nav and Kathryn. The lines on the wall and the tree added compositional elements to draw the eye to the couple.

Atlanta engagement photography

Inman Park

This white brick wall in Inman Park provided a clean backdrop, as well as the repetitive compositional elements of the window frame. The plants between the sidewalk and the street add a sense of depth to a relatively flat image.

Nav and Kathryn's Winn Park/High Museum Engagement Session

Nav and Kathryn say they’re “cut from the same cloth” and “bring out the best in each other.”

What more can you ask for in a life partner?

Knowing how Nav and Kathryn felt about each other, Kathryn’s family helped Nav set up a surprise engagement near a cabin in the mountains. “They set up a beautiful tent hidden in the woods with fake fur blankets on the ground, and lights strung along a path,” says Kathryn.

“Of course, I said ‘Yes’.”

“When I met Navaneeth, I was immediately drawn to his unabashed laughter, his calm confidence, and of course, his man bun! Each day, I grow more in love with his kind thoughtfulness, how much he loves our cats, and his insatiable curiosity. I can’t wait to officially celebrate finding my soulmate.”

— Kathryn

“When I met Kathryn for the first time, it was like meeting an old friend I had lost touch with. I remember being distinctly aware of just how different our backgrounds were, but even more so of how right at home I felt. She was (and is) remarkably bright and lively, sassy as hell, kind beyond measure, and honest at all costs. She made it so unbelievably easy for me to be myself. I’m lucky to have met her, and can’t believe I get to spend the rest of my life with this wonderful human being. ”

— Navaneeth

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All Sam's Planning Paid Off Big Time: She Said "YES!"

About a month ago I got a call from Sam asking if I photograph proposals. “Of course,” I replied. “I love them.”

Sam planned to ask his girlfriend Katie to marry him in early January. He wanted to surprise her with the ring while I documented the moment from afar. Once Sam decided to propose at Orpheus Brewing, where the couple had their first date three years ago, Sam and I worked with Alicia from Orpheus to set up the surprise. The trick was to have me close by, but inconspicuous.

This morning Alicia opened the brewery a half hour early, so Sam could propose to Katie in relative private. Sam texted me when he and Katie grabbed an Uber to the brewery and again when he arrived. Alicia gave me a tasting cup of their Atalana, a sour saison, so I could look like a customer hanging out.

Sam and Katie brought a couple of beers to a side deck of the brewery that overlooks Piedmont Park. I was on an upper deck, pretending to talk on my phone waiting for the knee drop. Once Sam started to propose, I started down the steps to the deck they were on to get a better view of the reaction on Katie’s face.

Katie was so excited when she saw Sam on one knee opening a ring box. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind what the answer would be.

After celebrating together for a while, the pair decided to FaceTime Sam’s parents to share the good news. Katie’s parents already knew. I didn’t ask, but I think Sam had asked for their daughter’s hand in marriage before he proposed.

Atlanta Engagement Photographers

Carnella and Aaron's Helen Engagement Session

Carnella and Aaron met one year ago and hit it off right away.

To Carnella’s delight, Aaron proposed on Feb 13 at Carnella’s birthday. Soon thereafter, they made plans for engagement celebration activities, including a photo shoot. Unfortunately COVID 19 hit and they had to cancel those plans.

Despite that hiccup, they have made plans for a wedding in 2021.

And they were able to set up an engagement shoot in Helen, Georgia, where the photos below were taken. They turned the session into an overnight getaway in the tiny “Alpine town.”

2020 Diamond Engagement Awards

With weddings postponed or downsized, I’ve been spending more time taking engagement photos. And more time entering my photos into contests.

I’m honored to have been recognized for these engagement photos this year. (The photos were taken in previous years.)

Engagement Photographers in Atlanta

Cameron and Chandler’s Vogel State Park Engagement Session

Since the shelter-at-home order in March, Sharon and I have been spending a lot of our time at our tiny cabin near Blairsville. The nearby scenery, along with the cool temperatures, make the area an awesome location for engagement sessions.

So, when Cameron and Chandler and I were planning their engagement session, I suggested a couple of mountain locations.

They chose Vogel State Park, only four miles from our cabin.

After we took photos around the lake, we headed to the waterfall. I suggested we go back to the cars and drive around to a parking area nearer the falls. But when we got there, the parking area was blocked.

So, I had what I thought was a brilliant idea. Leave the park, and go around the lake to the road to Woody Gap, where there was another parking place close to the falls. But when we got there, we encountered No Parking signs, again.

The third choice parking place was near a dirt road that I thought would lead us to the waterfall. Alas, it did not. The road was someone’s driveway. To our delight, they weren’t home.

We finally made it to the creek that ran from the foot of the waterfall, but not to the waterfall. At that point, with the light fading, we abandoned our quest for waterfall photos. Maybe it was meant to be. At least Cameron and Chandler didn’t end up in the water, like this couple.

Thanks, Cameron and Chandler, for being such good sports about the whole adventure.

North Georgia Engagement Photographer

Surprise! Wedding Photojournalist Association Diamond Awards

When the Wedding Photojournalist Association added a contest category for engagement photos, I wasn’t sure what to think.

Would the judges be looking for photographs that featured a couple perfectly posed in a beautiful landscape, like many of the popular engagement photos I’d seen?

I’m happy to report that’s not the case. Well, maybe a few photos that win fall into that category, but many are tighter shots of a couple laughing with each other or sharing coffee or just having fun together.

I’m honored to have had several of my photos chosen as award-winners. Here are a few of my favorites:

You can see the rest of the Diamond Award-winning photos I’ve taken here.

I’d love to talk with you about your engagement photos. Give me a call at 404 298 6263.

Award-winning engagement photographer in Atlanta