December 7, 2020

Humpback Rocks Engagement Session | Emma & Dan

Couple at Humpback Rocks during sunset, surrounded by fall colors and blue sky.

Emma and Dan’s Humpback Rocks engagement session set a new standard for adventurous sessions. We met up in the parking lot on Blue Ridge Parkway before starting the rigorous climb to the top. Although only a mile long, the journey was steep and we had to pause for breath a few times. It took us about an hour to get to the top, but it was entirely worth it to spend time with old friends.

Emma and Dan met during Emma’s first and Dan’s second year at George Mason University. Dan’s best friend was Emma’s RA, and his girlfriend convinced Emma to join the women’s Ultimate team. Both the guys played for the men’s team. Ultimate is a close-knit community regardless of where you go, so Emma and Dan got to know each other through their amazing sport. One cheesy pickup line before Thanksgiving break later, and they’ve been dating ever since.

Years down the road I got to call both of these two my teammates for a mixed summer Ultimate team. And now, years later, although these two now play for a different team, I’m still proud to call them my friends. When they sent me a message asking me to be their wedding photographer, I couldn’t have been happier.

Not only is Humpback Rock one of the most beautiful spots on the parkway, but it’s where Dan proposed. We obviously had to return to this spot and give these photos that extra personal meaning for them. We managed to carve out our own little spaces without sunset-goers, and we spent an hour climbing around the rocks and enjoying the view. The warmth of autumn was brighter than ever.

Just as the sun was setting, we climbed to the highest rocks and were greeted with the coolest cloud coverage. The light changed colors every few minutes, and the resulting photos were absolutely magical. We climbed down in the last light of the day and continued to catch up. Then in the darkness of the parking lot, they indulged my creative spirit and we walked away with some headlamp photos to end the night.

I had the best time going on this adventure with old friends, and I can’t wait to photograph their wedding next year! Congratulations to Emma and Dan!