winter session Archives | Wedding Photographers in Atlanta

Emory University Atlanta, GA Engagement Photographer | Jibran and Leia

The location: Emory University

When you think of Emory University, many things come to mind. Its rich history dating back to 1836 in Oxford, Georgia. Its prestigious School of Law named by the Princeton Review as one of the best law schools in the United States. Or perhaps their stellar research work in health sciences. Emory Healthcare is the largest healthcare system in Georgia and one of the largest in the world; making great strides in the fight against cancer and other devastating diseases. All the things you would want from an institution. However the campus itself, nestled in the suburban Atlanta neighborhood of Druid Hills, is the perfect location for an afternoon photo session with a couple very much in love. Many beautiful buildings including the Candler Library, the Old Theology building and the Carlos Hall, with its adjacent museum surround a large, open green space called the Quad.

May we introduce to you…

This is where we get the opportunity to introduce and feature Jibran + Leia. A modern, up-and-coming couple with the sweetest disposition. Both are proud to have called Emory their school and as former Eagles, they couldn’t think of a better place to photograph their engagement. You see, this is where they first met. On the steps of Carlos Hall is where their story began several years ago. All throughout college they shared so many special moments on those grounds. Therefore, circling back to connect their present to their past made all the sense in the world. Today Jibran + Leia are working professionals practicing their love for the field of law. With successful careers already blooming, their personal relationship continues to be the highlight of everything they are. It seems as if they are smiling at each other constantly; loving and caring to each other in the simplest of things. So what does that mean to us? Everything! It’s so great to have a job where we get to see sincere happiness like this. Plus it makes photographing a couple like this so effortless. Talk about people made for being in front of a camera. We enjoyed this session so much. Running out of time was really the only thing that we didn’t like about it.

Inside Carlos Hall

On this chilly afternoon we started the shoot indoors with the beautiful circular staircase inside Carlos Hall. From there we jumped outside and went directly to the stairs where they first met outside. Even as it got colder and darker; it was almost unnoticeable. All in all we feel we have a great representation of who Jibran + Leia are as a couple. Warm, loving and sophisticated with fantastic individual personalities. This September we get the privilege of spending 3 days with them as we photograph their wedding and we can’t wait for that weekend to come. Once again, congratulations Jibran + Leia on your engagement!

What an amazing building this library is! The architecture and marble facade are so impressive.

A group touring the grounds of the university arrived when we took this shot below.

Seriously, there were so many amazing shots from this session it was so hard to narrow down. But if you’re curious to see more, check out the video slideshow.

Atlanta Engagement Photographer | Jeff and Annette

Centennial Olympic Park treat

It’s funny how many times you can visit a place and still overlook many of its best features. We’ve walked through Centennial Park many times over the years with family visiting from out of town or with friends as we catch a concert or a game at Phillips Arena. Never did we give it all that much thought in terms of photography. Perhaps this was the case because we were always focused on something else, or because of the large crowds that are always present. So this is where we have to extend a big thank you to Jeff + Annette for requesting we shoot their engagement session in this area of downtown Atlanta. Yes, we appreciate their suggestion even on a slightly overcast day when the park was covered with activity. Tourists, street entertainers, joggers and families everywhere. Nonetheless, we were able to embrace the chaos and also uncover many spots we never really looked at before.

Let’s go on an adventure

What really makes the shoot better is having a couple like this to photograph. Easy going, adventurous, and totally in love. Jeff has a very calming influence about him. Annette seems to have a permanent smile. Together they have compatibility written all over them. Inseparable at all times, it really doesn’t take much to find natural moments where you can just shoot away and grab tons of great expressions and emotions. They also understand the artistic importance of photography. So when we asked them to run through the water jets of the Olympic Fountain of Rings on a chilly afternoon so we could try to get some unusual shots; Jeff’s response was an enthusiastic “Let’s go!” Yeah, they got a little wet because of some bad timing; but they did’t care one bit. We had just as much fun behind the camera watching them. not only did we get to see the excitement in their eyes with each other, but the water allowed us to add layers to the photographs as if we were right inside the moment with them. This was just a microcosm of the entire session. The more we explored the park and the neighboring streets, the more they wanted to keep going. Their energy was outstanding and any photographer will tell you that this type of enthusiasm and collaboration only leads to better creativity. It’s because of Jeff + Annette that we have a whole new appreciation for Centennial Park. In the future we look forward to working there again. There are so many additional spots and ideas we left on the table simply because we ran out of time. But that’s a good thing; isn’t it? We can’t wait to work with this couple on the biggest day of their lives. Thanks again Jeff + Annette for such a wonderful afternoon in downtown Atlanta.