I love being in new cities. The thrill of driving into some place I could literally get lost in excites me, and being in Raleigh NC was nothing short of amazing. I posted in a Facebook group for photographers before I left PA, asking if there were any couples who would be available to hang out with me for some updated photos in the city. I was so excited when I received a comment from Arika. We have been social media friends for a while, and the groups we are in are those of my favorite mentors. So I knew that working with her meant she’d know exactly the look I was after, and how to achieve it without my guidance!
I pulled into the park that Arika and I had chatted about, and I began to look for a field of yellow. Little did I know that I was on the wrong side of the park, but a quick look at a map fixed that mistake. I saw them sitting in the parking lot and I knew I was where I was supposed to be! Being from the North, the weather hasn’t been “springy” as it was in Raleigh. I was so excited to have sunshine and warmth. I hadn’t even gotten to the sea of yellow flowers yet and I was beaming. There’s just something about a change in scenery. We chatted and laughed, that’s usually how it is when you meet a social media friend in person finally. It was like we already knew so much about each other. As we got to the daffodils my eyes lit up. I think I may have looked crazy to onlookers, but I didn’t mind because it was just so dang gorgeous. Arika threw on a stunning grey dress (that she got from AMAZON!) and we were ready to go.
If you know anything about me and my business journey, the name Katelyn James should mean a lot. She’s someone I aspire to be like, in business and in life. She’s an amazing role model and one of the leaders in the wedding photography industry. Arika and I both are in many of her business courses, and once the camera was out it was like we were speaking our own language. I’d try to explain, but if you don’t get it you probably won’t. It’s like a secret club. Just know that it was amazing and I had the best time. I can sit here and remember laughing with these guys, and then peeking through the viewfinder and just being in awe with how perfectly they melt into one another. It’s one of my favorite things to watch a couple do when posing. Take a look at some of my favorites and you’ll see what I mean!
Can we just agree that they are freaking stunning? We walked into a pile of dirt for a small group of trees that had some white buds on them, and the way the light was coming in, I mean it was butter. If the sun could be butter that was a prime example of it. Trusting locations friends, totally worth it!
I want to thank Arika and Andrey for coming to meet me out of the blue, and showing me some of the amazingness that Raleigh has to offer. It was so nice to finally meet y’all in person and I’m so thankful to be a part of a community where this was a possibility! If you’re ever in Raleigh, be sure to check out the Farmer’s Market and surrounding park area. It’s amazing. You won’t be sorry!
Mar 27, 2019
@samanthajhopkins
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