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Capturing Timeless Love: A Magical Engagement Session at Key Biscayne’s Bill Baggs Park | South Florida Wedding Photography

el farito silhouette portrait engagement

Love has a way of blossoming unexpectedly, and sometimes, the journey to realizing one’s feelings can be as enchanting as the love itself. In this extraordinary engagement session, we had the privilege of documenting the beautiful story of a couple whose bond began as childhood friends and evolved into a love that took them by surprise. Set against the stunning backdrop of South Florida’s Bill Baggs Park in Key Biscayne, with the oldest standing structure in Greater Miami, known by the locals at “el farito” (the Cape Florida lighthouse), serving as a symbol of their enduring love, we embarked on a creative and artistic photography adventure that captured their essence and showcased the undeniable magic of their connection.

couple bottom of white lighthouse with flock of birds flying above in the blue sky
couple hugging against white lighthouse during engagement session
wide shot of couple by beach and lighthouse against bright blue sky

A Love That Transcends Time

As we ventured into Bill Baggs Park, it was evident that this engagement session was going to be something truly special. Ashley and Michael, having known each other since grade school, shared a profound friendship that had stood the test of time. Little did they know that their bond would evolve into a deep and lasting love, proving that sometimes, the best relationships grow from the seeds of friendship.

artist black and white against bright harsh sunlight and white lighthouse
playing with couple's shadow front of white light house

The Allure of South Florida and Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne, nestled along the shimmering waters of the Atlantic Ocean, is a captivating destination that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical charm. With its pristine beaches, lush greenery, and the iconic lighthouse as a backdrop, it provided an idyllic setting for Ashley and Michael’s engagement session. The park’s serene ambiance and breathtaking views provided the perfect canvas for us to create artistic and captivating images.

couple hugging and walking in front of lighthouse and along palm lined pathway
silhouette of couple against white lighthouse with palm trees and blue skies

Embracing Creativity and Artistry

In capturing the couple’s love story, we aimed to showcase their unique connection and personalities through our lens. By incorporating creative techniques and artistic compositions, we crafted images that would forever encapsulate the essence of their love. From playful moments on the sandy beaches to intimate embraces under the shade of palm trees, each frame reflected the depth and beauty of their relationship.

couple smiling and laughing under the mangroves
man running towards girl during sunset with miami skyline in background
black and white reflection photo of couple facing each other and clouds all around
couple hugging inside brown and green sea grape leaves
romantic couple moment surrounded by sea grape leaves
creative, artistic capture of couple inside leaves of south florida bush
creative and artistic image of couple during engagement session in south florida
couple piggy back with girl whispering in ear having fun
silhouette of couple facing each other during sunset surrounded by trees and leaves
creative couple portrait with palm fronds
man picks up woman front of miami skyline at night creative night portrait

The Joy of Destination Engagement Sessions

As we concluded this captivating engagement session in South Florida, it was clear that love had truly found its way to this adorable couple. Their story, rooted in a childhood friendship that evolved into a deep and profound love, is a reminder that the greatest relationships often come when we least expect them. By weaving creativity, artistry, and the natural beauty of the location into our photographs, we were able to create a timeless collection that captures the essence of their love and the enchantment of their journey.

Although traveling for an engagement session is an adventure in itself, it adds an extra layer of excitement to the whole experience. For Ashley and Michael, exploring Key Biscayne and its hidden gems as part of their engagement journey brought a sense of joy and discovery. They embraced the opportunity to make lasting memories in a place that held personal significance to them, and the resulting images were a testament to the magic of destination engagement sessions. Take us along for the journey. We’re ready!

Engagement photos at Foxhall Resort — Douglasville, GA | Alesia and Cortez

June 27, 2023 0 Engagements, Foxhall
couple walking holding hands front of lake

Well, what can be said about an amazing couple so much in love? Let’s get to know Alesia and Cortez a little closer, shall we?

What brought you two together?

According to Alesia, their story is a bit cliché. A night of fun and laughter with friends at a local night spot like Loca Luna would be the setting of this random encounter. They literally bumped into each other admittedly confessing they do not know how to salsa dance and chose this location on a whim. “I never imagined I would randomly bump into the love of my life that night and then embarrass myself attempting to dance.” But that was not the only thing they would later find out they had in common. They have been inseparable ever since.

bride walking leading groom along path
couple facing each other along stone bridge
couple smiling and enjoying a twirl on stone bride at foxhall

Tell us, how did Cortez propose?

Well according to Alesia, it all started in October of 2016 about a year after they met. Alesia wanted to do something fun and different to celebrate a milestone. Since they are an outdoorsy type of couple, she decided to book a small cabin in Blairsville, Georgia. They ended up doing all his favorite things including camping, grilling and fishing. While there, they decided to go to Brasstown Bald which is the highest peak in Georgia. If you have never been in the fall, I highly recommend checking it out. While at the top, a park ranger excitedly told them that they picked the perfect weekend to visit. That night, there was to be a super moon and people from all over the country were coming into town to hike the peak that night to see it.

So did they go back?

They instantly decided that they had to witness this unique celestial experience for themselves. They headed back over to Brasstown Bald later that evening expecting to see droves of cars filled with people waiting to hike the peak and see the super moon. Well, when they arrived, they were the only people. The once lively national park was now completely deserted. It was just the two of them. Alesia admits she normally is completely afraid of the dark, but they had come so far and really wanted to see the super moon. They began their walk which quickly turned into a slight jog and eventually ended up sprinting up to the peak (the random noises were getting to them). As they caught their breaths and walked the stairs to the top, they were completely captivated by the night sky. The sky was clear and even with the super moon beaming you could see every constellation in the sky. Completely overwhelmed by God’s beauty, they fell on to their knees thanking God for crossing their paths. A few years later, they returned to that very same location for a quick winter getaway and found him down on one knee.

creative photo with sunlight of couple hugging
groom looking at bride with shadow
couple embracing along covered pathway at foxhall
happy couple hugging and smiling under covered path at foxhall
couple hugging from behind with expansive white cloud sky backdrop

What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?

In Alesia’s words: I am extremely excited about the wedding venue. I’m a pretty laid back individual, but I knew the venue would be one of the most important parts of bringing my vision into fruition. We are both adventurous and enjoy the outdoors, so I wanted a location that provided a rustic feel and matched our personalities. I toured maybe 10 venues before finding Foxhall Resort and falling head over heels in love. From the staff to the beautiful landscape—Foxhall is by far the most picturesque place near Atlanta. They have several lakes, open pastures, breathtaking overlooks and trees surrounding the venue. I’m looking forward to designing my wedding.

creative angle of couple and foxhall with blue skies
creative shot of couple through white folding chairs prep'd for wedding
silhouette of couple against mirror like lake at sunset at foxhall
couple smiling while posing during sunset in formal attire
wide angle shot of couple silhouette against mirror reflected lake at sunset

Do you have any tips or advice for other couples about to have engagement photos taken?

Book Lissette and Orlando!!!

Awwww, you make me want to cry

How was your overall session experience?

My experience with Viridian Images Photography was simply amazing. Lissette is exceptionally talented and gave perfect instructions on what to do and Orlando has a great eye for creative and artistic pictures. They are extremely passionate and it shows throughout the session. There were so many photo-worthy moments and they captured them all.

Engagement photos at Cator Woolford — Atlanta, GA | Fatima and Sunny

June 27, 2023 0 Cator Woolford, Engagements
romantic couple shoot through elephant ear leaves

Nestled in the heart of Druid Hills, the Cator Woolford Gardens offers a rare glimpse into 1920s Atlanta. This lush oasis is one of the few viable estates still standing in the city today, and is virtually untouched by city sprawl. Once the home of Cator Woolford, a principal founder of what is now known as Equifax, the Italian-style gardens serve as an amazing backdrop for Fatima and Sunny’s engagement photos infused with decades of classic beauty and Southern charm.

couple smiling captured through magnolia leaves
smiling southeast asian couple bashful along with ring shot captured from above
epic staircase photo of power couple captured from below
elegant southeastasian couple strolling through garden pathway
southeast asian couple in formalwear along garden path
groom whispering to bride from behind dressed in formalwear at cator woolford garden
southeast asian couple holding hands back to back between elephant ear leaves

Thank you Fatima and Sunny for an amazing afternoon photographing your engagement session at Cator Woolford.

Engagement photos at the park — Atlanta, GA | Amanda and Chance

June 27, 2023 0 Engagements
couple walking down park path smiling at each other

What an awesome warm afternoon we spent in a nearby local city park with Amanda and Chance. The location chosen for their engagement session was Woodlands Garden just six miles from the city of Atlanta. A place we had never visited. Woodlands Garden is an eight acre mostly-wooded public garden located in Decatur, Georgia. The Garden’s mission is to preserve a woodland garden as an urban sanctuary to educate and engage the community in the natural world.

couple hugging back to chest between trees
couple walking down path in park
couple in front of flower bushes laughing
couple holding letter m and detail ring shot
couple holding and smiling
couple smiling at each other in the park

The afternoon quickly turned into early evening as the light was slowly disappearing. But we had to capture a few more. Amanda and Chance were having too much fun.

couple sitting next two fallen tree trunk in park
couple enjoying each other and looks back at the park engagement photo

Thank you Amanda and Chance for a beautiful afternoon capturing your engagement photos and document this most special season of your lives. Looking forward to your wedding.

Engagement photos at Ponce City Market — Atlanta, GA | Kristen and Seth

January 4, 2023 0 Engagements, Ponce City Market
romantic couple against stairwell

Ponce City Market is the “go to” location for locals and visitors alike to get a sense of what is Atlanta. Also it’s a great place to go have your engagement photos taken if you’re looking for an indoor place on a rainy day.

Although Ponce City Market is a busy location (located in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood along the Atlanta BeltLine, across from Historic Fourth Ward Park, and walking distance from Virginia-Highland, Poncey-Highland, and Midtown), if you know the area and its unique nooks and crannies well, it can yield a lot of creative images. As photographers, we need to quickly think on our feet for this to happen and for couples like Kristen and Seth to have an amazing experience. Enjoy our lovely couple’s engagement session at Ponce City Market!

Taking advantage of the unique murals along the way.

Finding a quiet stairway for some alone time in a busy place as Ponce City Market.

Atlanta is full of artists and we get so excited when new ones show up and how we can play along.

Come bring us along for your engagement photos and experience what we and Atlanta have to offer. You will be asking where “did the time go”?

Emory University Engagement Photos — Atlanta, GA | Nadine and Reza

August 26, 2022 0 Engagements
boy and girl walking down street yellow stripe

An engagement for the books!

There’s a great love story about to be told. It’s a story of love/hate and it goes a little something like this. Nadine and Reza met through a mutual friend at Emory. It was the first day of classes of junior year and actually walking between classes through campus. It didn’t start off well as Nadine recalls but her friend suggested they ask Reza to help them with homework, something happened. Could they actually bond over something as simple as similar music style? Nadine accepted a date with Reza and they went out for dinner, ice skating and star gazing via a star projector on the ceiling. Seven years later, here they are!

What better place for their engagement session than where it all started. And we can’t agree more.

couple passing each other on street looking back
couple meet middle of street yellow stripe
couple foreground facing each other initial and heart drawn on chalkboard
boy sitting classroom staring at girl
couple about to kiss in classroom auditorium
couple hug between lobby pillars
man kisses woman closeup

How did Reza propose?

In November, Reza whisked Nadine away to Chateau Elan for two nights as a “decoy” to make her think that’s where he would propose. As they headed back to Atlanta, Reza rented out the ice skating rink where they had their first date, flew her family in from Los Angeles and proposed to her on their 6 year anniversary. Nadine described it as incredible.

couple portrait among ferns
backlit portraits among ferns kissing
couple hugging from behind through ferns
couple coming out of mathematics building at emory

What are you most excited about for your wedding?

Nadine said she most excited to see their friends and family from all around the US and Canada come together for the first time and celebrate with them. And then they’re REALLY excited to escape it all and go on their honeymoon adventure! Where could that be?

Doesn’t this scene give you a little Harry and Meghan vibe?

couple sitting on marble stairs outside of mathematics building emory
creative reflection between arches outside mathematics building
couple hugging front of carlos museum
couple walking sidewalk carlos museum emory

Has this session got you wanting more? Check out a little video slideshow.

How was your overall engagement session experience with Viridian Images Photography?

Nadine confessed they have so little time where they get to hang out for 2-3 hours uninterrupted so for them it was an amazing bonding experience at minimum. “We really loved your energy and patience with us.” She continued saying “your ‘photographer’s mind’ was always churning and you were so creative with us and the final photos are truly incredible”. Awwww, words like these makes us work that much harder for all our couples. This is exactly what our aim is.

Nadine and Reza, you two are an absolutely unbelievable couple and we can’t wait to photograph your wedding at the Four Seasons Atlanta.

Stone Mountain Park Engagement Photos — Atlanta, GA | Emily and Jimmy

June 18, 2020 0 Engagements
couple having fun covered bridge

Stone Mountain Park is usually crawling with tourists and locals on a spring afternoon. However, with rain in the forecast the park was surprisingly empty as we decided to move forward and meet up with Emily and Jimmy for their long-awaited engagement photo session.

With 3200 acres of scenic views, a colorful shopping and dining village, a covered bridge, a historic old mill and of course, the mountain; this is one of the best locations for an engagement shoot in Atlanta. Not to mention a great place for wedding photography overall.

We had already spent some time getting to know this couple before today’s session and it was clear from the start, they had an unbreakable connection. How they met is an interesting story.

Jimmy messaged Emily on eharmony.com and she agreed to meet up for a coffee date. They immediately hit if off. She laughed at all his stories and Jimmy was simply thankful to have met a southern gal. Later that day when Jimmy got back home; he changed his eharmony profile and never looked back. They dated for several weeks before officially becoming a couple and the rest is history. We hope you enjoy this spring engagement session in Atlanta, Georgia. Please be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram for updates on the latest with Viridian Images Photography, Atlanta’s premier wedding photography. If you’re recently engaged and ready to create unique images for your wedding journey; contact us now to secure your dates!

romantic engagement portrait on ledge stone mountain park
romantic, playful couple portrait stone mountain park atlanta engagement
couple walking under cherry tree holding hands engagement photo stone mountain park
romantic, intimate, sultry couple photo engagement stone mountain park
couple on stone wall in stone mountain park engagement photo
couple smiling flowering trees in stone mountain park atlanta engagement photo
couple hugging through flowering trees in stone mountain park engagement photo
romantic couple flower bush in stone mountain park engagement photo
couple swaying front of red barn door in stone mountain park engagement photo
couple romantic hugging front of red barn door in stone mountain park engagement photo
bride smiling at groom red barn door in stone mountain park engagement photo atlanta
creative couple bride looking at groom foreground, background in atlanta stone mountain park engagement photo
couple reflection barn in atlanta stone mountain park engagement photo
couple hugging brick arches smiling in atlanta stone mountain park engagement photo
couple laughing down stairs in stone mountain park atlanta engagement photo
shoe closeup on covered bridge in stone mountain park atlanta engagement photo
couple playful keeping balance covered bridge in atlanta stone mountain park engagement photo
romantic couple face to face covered bridge in atlanta stone mountain park engagement photo
romantic couple through covered bridge in stone mountain park engagement photo
silhouette black and white couple looking at each other covered bridge in atlanta stone mountain park engagement photo
couple reflection covered bridge in stone mountain park atlanta engagement photo
couple sitting on stone stairs dusk in stone mountain park atlanta engagement photo
creative photo couple back to back on stone stairs engagement photo in stone mountain park atlanta
couple back to back on stone stairs in stone mountain park atlanta engagement photo
couple laughing back to back on stone stairs engagement photo session stone mountain park atlanta
couple walking along stone path atlanta stone mountain park engagement photo
couple hugging water wheel lake in atlanta stone mountain park engagement photo

“Best of 2019” in Photos | Viridian Images Photography

couple hugging

Two thousand nineteen seemed to slip by in a blur. But it rendered some of the best experiences we’ve ever had. Highlights included a glitzy three day south Asian wedding at Ventanas and the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta. An elegant wedding at the Fox Theater and a return trip to Country Club of the South. This year also provided an opportunity to photograph a great new venue near Yonah mountain; The Meadows at Mossy Creek. Trips to Australia, New Zealand, North Carolina and Florida really kept us on the go, so our blog is way behind.

The start of 2020 will hopefully mean a chance to catch up with posting on our website but in the mean time we decided to do something we haven’t done in a long time. A year-end summary of our favorite images from 2019. It’s not just a “best of” compilation. But a collection of images that have a little extra meaning to us. A big thank you to all the couples that partnered with us in 2019 as well as those whos weddings take place in 2020. We can’t wait to document new memories and create visual art for you.

If you like what you see here, please share with friends and loved ones. So, with further delay, here we go. Check out the video slideshow first as it will include more images beyond the stills posted here. Enjoy!

Atlanta, GA — Lake Lanier Islands Engagement Photos | Charlie & Isabelle

January 4, 2019 0 Engagements
romantic couple by lake

Introducing Charlie and Isabelle

We first met Isabelle and her mom as they begun their search for all things wedding related at our local bridal show. Isabelle knew exactly what she wanted regarding her wedding and engagement photography. After an extensive conversation discussing her vision for the wedding, we agreed to set up a second meeting to include Charlie, her fiancée. Coffee and tea at Café Intermezzo is always a good choice on a cool afternoon. So after getting a cozy table off to the corner we had our first chance to meet Charlie. What a delight it was to spend some time with him; very relaxed and laid back. A perfect compliment to Isabelle’s personality.  

Meetings like these are always essential to our storytelling style of photography. Getting to know our couple’s back-story, how they met and what makes their relationship so unique really shapes the types of images we create down the road. So off we go.

Isabelle is originally from Quebec, Canada but moved to the United States with her family at the age of 12. After briefly “visiting” Denver, they settled in Seattle where she later earned her International Studies degree at the University of Washington. Shortly after, she decided to leave the Seattle rain for sunny San Francisco with her furry best friend. Little did she know, this is where her life would really begin when she met Charlie.

Charlie’s story began in China where he is from and where he grew up. His parents decided to sacrifice their careers and everything they had to bring him to the United States. They wanted to give him the chance to fulfill the “American Dream“. At age 11, they first settled in “Hotlanta” where he completed secondary education and received his degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. After graduation, he had a few setbacks. So he decided to move the “Golden City” for a fresh start.

So, how did they actually meet?

Well, it’s interesting to hear each one describe how this all came about.

Isabelle:

I had seen and talked to him before – casually. But I really saw him that day at the Venetian Expo. He looked good in his relaxed boot cut jeans and fitting white t-shirt – a welcome sight to the throng of solution architects, engineers and sales guys swarming the convention center floor. There ensued burgers, shakes, long walk and long talks. For me, it really was a combination of his raw confidence, his honesty, his unwavering loyalty, and the dimples when he smiled.

Charlie:

I had noticed her before. This young, beautiful, exotic and yet unassuming and down to earth woman with big eyes and luscious, thick brown hair. I was drawn to her mannerisms and way of speaking that was not quite American… but not quite European either.  After spending some time to get to know her, I was amazed at how much we had in common, from our immigrant experiences growing up, to our sense of humor.

How did their relationship bloom?

Isabelle:

We got to know each other in the Golden City, through hikes on the cliffs by the sea and strolls and picnics in the wine country.

Charlie:

Our relationship blossomed in the city by the bay; our frequent trips hiking across the austere and majestic mountains by the pacific coast, the peaceful and often chilly Muir Woods (then again Izzie is always cold), and our relaxing drives through the wine country affirmed that our bond would be eternal. Through our times together, I also learned about her strong family values. Those same values led us and our little furry pup (not so little at 70lbs) to trek across the country and settle back in the peach state.

And then…?

Charlie:

For a frequent traveler with over three million miles, it seemed only appropriate that I make our engagement official at 39,000 feet.

Isabelle:

Yeah, it was a few months before we moved into our home on our way home from exploring the Christmas markets of Munich, in the middle of the Atlantic on a long flight, he asked me to marry him. It was probably the easiest question I ever had to answer.

The engagement session

They both knew they wanted to do something extra special for their engagement session. So they made arrangements at Lake Lanier to get access to PineIsle Pointe. This is one of the most popular wedding venues on the lake; but we had it all to ourselves! All week long we had torrential rains and the forecast was threatening more rain for the day of the session. However, miraculously the sun broke through and we had one of the most magnificent afternoons of the year.

Having a couple that loves the outdoors just lends to having a great photo shoot. The entire session was simply a delight to shoot. Running through the fields and jumping in the water for the sake of photography? No problem! Hey even their labradoodle Boomer got into the mix. Thanks Charlie and Isabelle for a super esession! We can’t wait to share their wedding next!

pineisle romantic happy couple
pineisle romantic intimate couple
pineisle romantic groom kissing bride
pineisle pavilion overview
fun bride spinning
pineisle couple under pergola
pineisle artistic portrait couple
pineisle artistic couple portrait ring
pineisle walking down path
pineisle couple walking by water
pineisle walking couple by lake
pineisle lake walking details
pineisle lake creative portraits
pineisle ga romance couple portrait
pineisle center lake romantic portrait
pineisle ga lake whimsical portrait
playful couple on water edge
reflective photo bride sunset
tall grass portrait pineisle
Romantic Couple Photos of Charlie & Isabelle by Virimages
pineisle lake walking field
pineisle resort walking dog
sunset black and white silhouette
gone with the wind inspired portrait by lake

Catch a glimpse from their video slideshow below.

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