If you're dreaming of an engagement session that feels straight out of a romantic movie, let me introduce you to Jessica and Charlie’s dreamy adventure session at Cypress Gardens just outside of Charleston, SC.
These two are already married—life in the military made a traditional timeline tricky—but they’re planning a formal wedding later this year. So they decided to take a more intentional and personal approach to their engagement photos, turning them into a steamy, cinematic adventure. And y’all... they nailed it.
An Adventure Session with Moody Romance (and Gators)
Cypress Gardens is known for its quiet walking trails, peaceful swamp views, and of course—the iconic boat rides that give you that deep south, Notebook-style charm. We kept the hike light and stuck close to the water (while casually keeping an eye on a few sunbathing alligators). It was mid-summer, hot and humid, but you’d never know it from the photos—Jessica and Charlie were all over each other, laughing, cuddling, and soaking it all in like it was the most perfect 70-degree day.
Candid, Cinematic, and a Little Bit of Magic
Jessica found me all the way from Asheville, NC, looking specifically for someone who could capture a candid, moody, romantic session—not just another Pinterest-perfect wedding gallery. I shot their session on my Canon R6 Mark II with my go-to 28-70 f/2 lens and leaned hard into natural, cinematic compositions. Even though the afternoon sun isn't usually my favorite, we embraced the golden light for some stunning boat shots that ended up being Jessica’s favorite of the bunch.
I focused on a documentary-style approach: moments of connection, detail shots of her ring, movement, laughter, and the intimacy that naturally unfolded between them. No stiff posing. Just two people in love, on a boat, in the South Carolina heat.
Want Your Own Adventure Session?
If you're the kind of couple who wants more than the typical engagement session—if you want a story, an experience, and photos that feel like you—let’s make it happen. Whether you’re based in Asheville, Charleston, North Georgia, or Eastern Tennessee, I travel for love stories like this.
Pro Tip for Cypress Gardens Shoots:
If you're planning to do photos on the boats, arrive right when the park opens—they fill up quickly, and the wait list can get long.
Ready to get steamy in the swamps or cozy in the mountains? I offer travel-inclusive adventure engagement sessions, proposal photography, and full elopement packages throughout the Southeast. Get inspired in this blog sharing adventure activity ideas for your next session.
