My story with Ali and Derek began WAY back pre-‘rona when Ali and I connected through our mutual friend Ashleigh of Sweetly Southern Events. Ali reached out wanting special photos taken of her and her fiance, Derek, before they planned to elope in July.

We made grand plans, friends. Oh we did. A National Mall engagement session. And like most of our 2020 stories, COVID came and plans changed because everything shut down.

The week everything shut down in the state of Virginia is the week these two decided to say “I-do.” They applied for a marriage license that Wednesday and got married that Friday. They didn’t want to wait and see how the pandemic played out; they decided their forever began now.

Because we had a suspected case of COVID in our own household (y’all, that was March), I told Ali we would push for a couple’s session later on when things open back up.

Hello, late-May. We thought we would never see you.

When I met this couple, I felt like I knew them forever. Ali and I became quick friends via Instagram during the quarantine. Even now, we still send each other silly memes and cute animal posts.

Since both Ali and Derek both love animals – especially goats – we decided to meet up at the Ballenger Farm for photos. I made a suggestion to Ali that she should have that bouquet of her dreams for her photos, something to make the session more special. After all, these are their wedding photos 🙂

Since I missed the nuptials, I prompted Ali and Derek to tell each other why they love each other. Again, going with that wedding theme!

And I asked them to have their first dance! If you are considering getting married at Ballenger Farm, this tree is a popular ceremony site.

How we all feel about the Coronavirus RN.

All of these photos are my favorite. The light, the couple, the bouquet. Ali worked with Beeswing Farm for her bouquet and O-M-Goodness did Chelsea Bell put together a magnificent floral explosion of delight.

Who doesn’t love baby goats?!

I absolutely loved working with this couple. I tell my people to make your time with me your own. Don’t be afraid to show those personalities, those tattoos, the humor; be you. The camera wants to see you, no one else.

Congratulations, Ali and Derek. Thank you for letting me be a little part of your story.