The Sinks & Gatlinburg Engagement - Emily + James
Together for 8 years, these two lovebirds, Emily and James, started as high school sweethearts. Although they were long distance in college, they reunited in Knoxville where he just finished his masters and she landed a job as a sports reporter. Emily and James wanted a location similar to the setting of their proposal for their engagement session, so the obvious choice was the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with its mountain backdrop.
Emily and James saved every penny for five years, even rolling their own coins, to travel to Europe together after college. Little did Emily know that James had hidden an engagement ring in his favorite pair of socks within his backpack. One their first day in a picturesque town in Switzerland, the two hiked up a mountain where James popped the question, much to Emily's surprise as she cried a self-proclaimed ugly cry (and we love that she shared that detail with us; so genuine).
This couple climbed, danced, and practiced their ability to balance throughout this session, and we could tell that they were adventurous and down for anything. The location in these images, found along the bypass, was perfect to incorporate the flowing waters, wooded forest, and pretty rock formations characteristic of the park. Seriously, they are the most adorable couple, and we are thrilled to be part of their celebration of love at The Standard next spring. Congratulations to Emily and James!
Forks of the River Sunflower Engagement - Sarah Beth + Josh
One of Knoxville's most popular destinations for summer photos only exists for a couple weeks at the beginning of July. The sunflower fields at Forks of the River Wildlife Management Area appear and fade away quickly, but we made sure to meet this couple, Sarah Beth and Josh, just in time for their engagement photos before the blooms disappeared until next year.
Adventurous and outdoorsy, Sarah Beth and Josh decided on a sunrise shoot, and although a glorious peeping of the sun through the clouds didn't really happen on this overcast day like we were hoping, we embraced the dramatic fog hovering over the fields for some super cool shots of the two. Sarah Beth told us in her initial contact that nature and wildlife are a what brought the two together (as they are both field researchers), so we thought it was only fitting for their engagement to be in a unique outdoor setting with this fleeting show of natural beauty. Although these flowers come and go quickly, we know the love these best friends share isn't going anywhere and neither is our excitement about their wedding in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this fall. Enjoy the photos from this summer session!
