Amanda & Paul's Engagement Session


Engagement sessions don’t have to follow a formula. They don’t have to be in a field at sunset or on the steps of a historic building (though those are beautiful too). Sometimes, the most meaningful locations are the ones that are part of your everyday love story—like a grocery store.

For Amanda and Paul, their love story includes late-night market runs, browsing aisles filled with nostalgic snacks, and sharing noodles at a food court table. One of their first dates was at an Asian market, and ever since, shopping at these stores has remained a part of their routine. So when it came time for their engagement session, they wanted something that felt natural, personal, and true to them.


We chose New Asia Market right outside of Charlotte because it had the right atmosphere—warm, cultural, and full of life. The red hanging lanterns gave a sense of place, setting the tone for a session that felt cinematic and immersive. Amanda had sent me inspiration from 1980s Hong Kong pre-wedding shoots—photos that captured couples in everyday moments, dressed in wedding attire, going about their daily lives. That concept resonated with her, and we leaned into that inspiration to create something unique.


Throughout the session, I focused on blending documentary storytelling with editorial direction. I captured Amanda and Paul naturally moving through the market—picking up their favorite snacks, laughing in the aisles, sharing a quiet moment over a bowl of noodles. These weren’t staged moments; they were memories being made. Then, we leaned into a more editorial approach, drawing from Amanda’s 1980s Hong Kong inspiration. Posed shots outside the market added an artistic, timeless feel, turning an everyday location into something cinematic.


Engagement sessions don’t have to fit a mold. Whether it’s an Asian market, your favorite coffee shop, or a place that holds meaning in your relationship, the best photos are the ones that reflect your story. Sure, it might feel unconventional at first, but that’s what makes it special.

And years from now, when Amanda and Paul look back at these photos, they won’t just see pretty pictures. They’ll see a piece of their story—something real, something theirs.


If you're looking for an engagement session that feels like home, let's make it happen. Inquire here.


Enjoy a curated selection of their high-resolution online gallery, along with a glimpse of the day captured on 35mm film.



Two people share a casual meal at a fast food restaurant counter with a tray of food and pink drink.
A couple in wedding attire ordering food at a casual restaurant counter with menu boards displayed above.
A couple shares a playful moment while eating spaghetti at a casual restaurant with festive decorations in the background.
A couple in wedding attire walk through a Chinese grocery store decorated with red lanterns.
A couple in wedding attire bow their heads beneath a red Chinese lantern against a geometric patterned wall.
Person wearing white blouse and emerald ring uses chopsticks to eat noodles from a plate on a blue cafeteria tray.
Black and white photo of two people holding hands at a table with a plate of noodles.
A couple in wedding attire walks down a retail aisle decorated with red lanterns.
A couple sitting together at a counter in a casual restaurant with a beverage bottle on the table.
Couple sharing a meal in an Asian restaurant decorated with red lanterns for a special celebration.
A couple walks together outside an Asian restaurant storefront in a black and white photograph.
A blue cafeteria tray with rice and peas on a white plate sits next to an orange beverage bottle.
A bride in a white dress holds a red carnation while standing in a flower shop with floral displays on shelves behind her.
Black and white photograph of people standing in front of an Asian grocery store with Chinese characters on the storefront.
A couple in wedding attire share a laugh at a cafeteria while one eats from a tray.