If you had told me back in high school that I’d still be running my photography business seven years later and getting the chance to photograph people I went to school with… honestly, I’m not sure I would’ve believed you. But here we are—and it’s all 100% real!
Chandler and I were classmates in high school, and he reached out about a month before our session. Initially, he wanted me to photograph his proposal to Haley, but he ended up deciding to keep that moment private—just between the two of them. (Respect!) Of course, I had to ask how it all went. They told me they had gone for a walk on a nearby trail, found a quiet little creek, and that’s where Chandler got down on one knee. Haley said yes, and just like that—they’re engaged!
Since the proposal wasn’t going to be photographed, we pivoted to an engagement session instead. I connected with Haley to get a feel for their vision, and she said they wanted something super natural—long grass, lots of greenery, something that felt peaceful and organic. So, I turned to my trusty sidekick: Google Maps. I scouted around and found what looked like the perfect spot.
Of course, whenever I find Lake Holcomb online, I always do a real-life vibe check—especially with open fields, since there’s always the risk they’ve been mowed down. In this case, I may or may not have gotten lost for 20 minutes in a nearby neighborhood trying to find it… but I eventually made it, and wow—it was so worth it! The park/trail was gorgeous and matched their vision perfectly, which was such a relief!
Getting to photograph Chandler and Haley’s love story in such a beautiful place was such a full-circle moment for me, especially because this fit their vibe perfectly. These two were an absolute joy to work with, and I’m beyond excited for what’s ahead for them.
Enjoy a peek into what their gallery looks like!
