Levi and Lindsey | Engagement Photography at Claytor Lake

'Awesome' and 'Death Defying' are really the only two phrases that can properly explain this photo shoot.(I did try to think of a single phrase but I feel that it deserved two.)

Lindsey's folks have a sweet lake house on Claytor Lake in Southwest Virginia.  It's only about a 50 minute drive for me and every time I come here it turns out to be the best 50 minute driving investment that anyone could spend.(For real, Claytor Lake is awesome).

This trip to Claytor was for a little bit more of a business reason than recreational, but it sure didn't feel like business.  

Below are shots of Lindsay and Levi's engagement shoot.  It went off without a hitch until the very end, when we almost died..... 

Shot from the boat.

Fielding, the boat's owner suggested this photo.

They say that 'pre-visualization' is the most important part of photography.  And while it's hard to fully pre-visualize a photo shoot where you don't really know what anything is gonna look like, the following photos two photographs were the ones that I can honestly say I 'pre-visualized' :)

We made a quick stop to a field near the lake.

 Then, as soon as we started to head home the boat decided that it only wanted to go in circles.  As soon as this happened, the rain started POURING down.  If it hadn't been for the rainfly that comes with Clik Elite photography backpacks, I would have been screwed.  To get the boat moving, Fielding had to lay down in the engine compartment and manually steer the rudder while Levi shouted out direction.  By the time we got back to the dock, we all were completely soaked and thankful that the lightning that had surrounded us decided not to strike too close.  While I am thankful to be alive, I would do it again in a heartbeat.  :)

Lindsey and Stephanie enjoying an umbrella while Levi and Fielding fix the boat.

Justin and Ashley | Virginia Engagment Photographer

 Recently I had the pleasure of hanging out with this couple, Justin and Ashley.  We almost cancelled the shoot due to weather(apparently Ashley thinks that 60° is too cold), but I told her that she just needed to 'man up' and do it!  I said this partly because I was really excited to go shooting, and partly because I rented an 85mm 1.2 L and was pumped to use it, and partly because she just needed to man up. 

Well, I can see that she did 'man up' indeed.  We were wading through a creek, hiking through brush, and spending time up at Doughton Park, which can be a bit chilly when the wind picks up.

The fun I had with his couple set the fun scale to a new maximum.  I had a great time and they are pleased with the images.  And aside from the time where I slipped on top of a waterfall and almost fell to my death, the shoot went off without a hitch.  :)





At the Brenigar Cabin



At a waterfall in Northern North Carolina



Sunset at Doughton Park



Some great color during sunset at Doughton Park



After sundown shot at the Bluffs Lodge Terrace





Justin and Ashley put in some time making props and the results were great.