Nothing prepares you for potographing your best friend's engagement (except a full box of tissues).
As a photographer capturing love stories, I often find that my clients quickly become more than just people I work with—they become my friends. I’m constantly amazed by the unique journeys and connections I get to document. With every photograph, I get to peek into someone’s world and witness some of their most intimate moments. It’s a privilege I hold close, and one I will forever cherish. But nothing has touched my heart quite like the opportunity to document my best friend during one of the most beautiful chapters of her life.
Catrina and I met when we were just 9 years old in elementary school, and from that moment, a lifelong friendship was born. Over the years, we’ve grown together—our bond shifting from friendship to family, each milestone deepening our connection. To know Catrina is to love her. Her vibrant spirit, radiant energy, and profound emotional intelligence make her absolutely impossible not to adore. And it’s no surprise that Tommy, the love of her life, fell for her. The way he asked her to be his wife was nothing short of beautiful. Together, they are a perfect match—two souls so perfectly aligned that their love feels inevitable.
It is beyond an honor to stand beside them on their wedding day, surrounded by friends and family, as they begin their forever together. And it was equally special to photograph their engagement session on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. This place held deep meaning for them as it was the backdrop of their first official date—a truly full-circle moment.
As we moved from one scenic spot to another, it was a joy to capture them simply being them—laughing, loving, and reminiscing about that first date. The summer sky above was breathtaking, with soft clouds drifting by and the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains stretching out in the distance. No matter how many times I’ve seen these mountains, their beauty never fades.
As we climbed higher, the sunlight began to fade, and what was meant to be a golden hour session turned into something even more magical—a moody, foggy mountain top experience. It was ethereal. The fog added such a mystical quality to the scene, and I couldn’t have been happier with the results. It felt like the perfect way to end such a beautiful session, one I’ll hold in my heart forever.
