Emily and Jake have basically become family at this point. Through a bridal show, an engagement session, two COVID postponements (July is OFFICIALLY the date!) and coincidentally Emily’s mom works at our financial advisor’s office and handles all the things for us…well, they’re just our people.

This is the second sunrise session they have let me talk them into…but it’s so worth it every time! For their engagement session last January, we ventured to the beach and then to their wedding venue on base at Camp Lejeune with romantic Spanish moss by the water. This time, we totally flipped the script and went for a trendier, downtown vibe for their session, and gosh, I just love it.

Since I haven’t gotten to shoot much in Wilmington, I had to do some research as we were planning their session. I came across this super cute parking garage…and all I knew was that it was downtown…no idea where downtown. So a couple days before their session, I went hunting… I don’t recommend this to anyone else, as I was still in the car while looking up to the skyline looking for a circular opening on the top story. Alas, I found it!! So up to the top of the parking garage we went. I was a little scared that Jake’s truck was going to be too tall, but thankfully it fit!

After the parking garage was complete, we wandered around the historic district and found some palm trees, a cool new restaurant that gave us Florida vibes (as an homage to Jake’s home state), a fabulous cast iron fence, an ivy-covered wall, and finally the most gorgeous red door that matched Emily’s floral dress and lipstick…I mean, c’mon! Matching backgrounds to lipstick…it really doesn’t get much better than that!

Emily is a fashion blogger, which means that her style is always on point, and this session was no exception. She was sporting her center part (thanks, Gen Z) and her curtain bangs, paired with the most perfect summer hat. Her dress flattered her perfectly and even reminded her mom of a dress that she wore when she was younger. Fashions truly do come back around!

I think at one point Jake would tell you that he didn’t really feel comfortable in front of the camera, but take a look at the last image in this series. By the end, he was cracking jokes so Emily would laugh for the camera…how the tables turned! This is why I love hanging out with my couples and truly getting to know them, so that I can get genuine, comfortable representations of them on their wedding days.

Now the countdown to their July wedding is on!

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