I recently had the absolute pleasure of photographing Annemarie and Ethan’s winter engagement session at the beautiful and dramatic Ficklen Island in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Despite the chilly weather, their love warmed the air, making every moment worth capturing. The barren backdrop of wintery Ficklen Island perfectly complimented the dramatic river behind them, showing off the drama of the location. It was so much fun to explore this little gem of a location in Northern Virginia.

Annemarie looked adorable in her casual outfit – a short sleeve sweater and denim skirt. Meanwhile, Ethan complimented her perfectly with his relaxed yet stylish attire. Halfway through, Annemarie switched into a stunning white floral dress, adding a touch of elegance and romance to the already magical atmosphere. I love how the dress feels just a little bit bridal – it was the perfect choice for an engagement session.

As we wrapped up our time at Ficklen Island, we decided to take a short drive to the nearby Chatham Bridge. Here, we captured some fantastic shots with the historic train bridge in the background, giving their engagement session a unique, timeless charm. I was also elated to find a nearby bike shop’s huge mural, with no cars in the parking lot! It seems rare to find a fun mural for photos that isn’t surrounded by parked cars or street signs so I had to pull Annemarie and Ethan aside for another couple of minutes to capture them in front of the mural, commemorating exactly where we held their engagement session.

I was honored to be a part of Annemarie and Ethan’s journey, capturing the love and excitement that surrounded them. Their engagement session at Ficklen Island and Chatham Bridge truly reflected their personalities and the deep bond they share. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this amazing couple, and I’m beyond thrilled to have played a small part in commemorating their love story already. I’m even more eager for their wedding this July, where they’ll be tying the knot at the quaint historic Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mineral, Virginia followed by a celebration at Stevenson Ridge in Spotsylvania, Virginia.

To Annemarie and Ethan: Thank you for braving the cold with me and allowing me to capture these beautiful moments. I’m so excited for your next chapter as you become husband and wife when we celebrate together this summer!