Emma and Cam’s Vintage, Vinyl-Inspired Engagement Session
I am not a cold weather person. Anyone who knows me, knows that this is an irrefutable fact. As we have been making our way into the long, grey months at the start of the year, I have been trying to find ways of combating the winter gloom. Lately, I have found myself cozying up in an oversized sweater, in my living room with a cup of tea, exploring the records that my dad gave me years ago. Records have always felt romantic and intentional and poetic, exactly the way that I always want my engagement sessions to feel. Going into Emma and Cam’s vintage inspired engagement session in Durham, I knew that I wanted to emulate the vibes that I get when I look at the photos on the back of an album.
Emma and Cam: Cherishing Each Other
One of the things that I ask every couple in their “pre-session questionnaire” is to describe their relationship to me. How do you see each other? What do you love about the other person? Where do you feel most yourselves? Cam and Emma’s responses to this question drove our session more than anything else. They talked about how much joy they find in simple moments- reading together, exploring coffee shops, and snuggling with their dog. They wrote about how they complement each other with Cam being deliberate and thoughtful, content to sit and soak in the day while Emma is bright, constantly moving and on the go. “We try to keep and cherish each other every day.”
A Neutral, Natural Look
Both Cam and Emma did an amazing job picking out outfits for their photos. They wanted their pictures to really reflect who they are so they didn’t go over the top with anything fancy. They stayed comfy and casual, wearing outfits that they felt good in but that they would actually wear outside of their session. This is something that I always suggest for my clients. You want to wear clothes that you feel amazing and confident, but also comfortable, in. Some clients really stress out about what they should wear so I have created a comprehensive “What to Wear” guide that gives tips and tricks about dressing for your shoot and I love to send it out to my couples when they ask for help.
A Cozy Coffee Shop and a Lazy Evening Stroll
With the way the Emma and Cam described their relationship, we knew that we wanted to choose locations that complemented both of their personalities and their relationship. Knowing that they love to enjoy simple moments, we started at Cocoa Cinnamon, one of my favorite coffee shops in Durham (If you are a chocolate person, like myself, make sure to order a guadalajara. It’s decadent). They have stunning indoor and outdoor spaces that are a dream for photos. Plus, they have always been so kind about letting us play around in their space. We specifically chose a time when I knew that they wouldn’t be too busy so that we weren’t in anyone’s way, we didn’t have to work too hard to avoid having others in the photos, and Emma and Cam could feel comfortable.
We ordered our drinks and then Cam and Emma spent the next half hour joking around, tangling up together while they chatted over their coffees, and snuggling up in the front window seat to read. Next, we moved outside and utilized the beautiful brick walls, plants, and picnic tables. Both inside and outside, Emma and Cam were able to sink into their relationship, stay connected, and allow themselves to relax and have a good time. I think that this is really reflected in how natural and comfortable their photos look. Instead of looking stiff and like they were posed for a photoshoot, these pictures captured snapshots of their authentic relationship.
After finishing up at the coffee shop, we headed over to Duke Gardens, which was just a quick ten minute drive away. Duke Gardens is another one of my favorite spaces in Durham for engagement photos. It is so easy to find nooks and crannies within the garden to have a private moment and sink into each other while surrounded by gorgeous flora. Plus, with the variety of plants found within the gardens and the changing seasons, every shoot that I do here feels like we have discovered something new.
Cam and Emma wandered through the different paths and explored the garden. We found a beautiful, mossy spot for them to hole up in and have a slow moment together. At one point while we were playing around in the Asiatic Arboretum, Emma stopped to kick off her shoes and splash her feet in the pond while Cam lounged next to her on the bridge. As the sun set and we started to finish up for the night, they took a few moments to lay back in the grass just be together, without poses or prompts, cherishing this time where they could focus on each other. It was the perfect way to end their vintage-inspired engagement shoot.
Looking for more vintage style engagement inspiration? Check out Ellery and Sam’s River Engagement Session!
