Merry Christmas! It’s been a minute since I’ve updated the blog – I had the infamously unpleasant experience of having a kidney stone a few weeks ago so I had to spend quite a bit of time catching up on the editing I missed from being out of commission for a couple weeks. But I just had to update the blog with this adorable and festive engagement session with Emily and Thomas!

We took a drive out to Little Washington, Virginia on a chilly but beautiful day in December. Thomas grew up visiting his grandparents here, which made it an extra sweet and special place for their engagement session. You may recognize the town from its famous Inn at Little Washington, which features the only Michelin rated restaurant in Virginia. It’s on my bucket lists for both wedding venues to photograph and also restaurants to try personally! It also happens to have a lovely little garden that made for a perfect first stop during our session. There were pretty green hedges, a fountain, an adorable little wrought-iron table and chairs, and a quaint little path with some brick stairs that all made for a romantic spot even in the middle of winter.

It was extra special to see the town all dressed up for Christmas! The Inn and the surrounding buildings on Main Street were decked with festive red bows, garland, and ornaments. We took a stroll along Main Street, posing with some of the decorated historic buildings as well as a large fountain across the street and a little garden arch tucked between buildings. These two were troopers despite the cold and we got a crazy variety of photos all within a few yards.

After these beautiful golden hour photos in town with more formal dress, we headed just a couple minutes away to Thomas’ grandparents house where they changed into more cozy casual outfits to capture the last of the evening light. The property has a beautiful view of the mountains, as well as a charming driveway and a pond that had great light where Emily and Thomas were surrounded by tall dried pampas grass. This whole set of photos felt perfectly cozy and intimate, and made extra special by their personal connection to the location.

This engagement session at the Inn at Little Washington and Downtown Little Washington was so much fun, I can’t wait to return! I always love any excuse to travel to Little Washington and its neighboring town Luray and the greater Shenandoah Valley area. I hope I’ll have the chance to photograph at the Inn in warmer weather sometime soon – engaged couples, consider having an engagement session at the Inn at Little Washington and make a date weekend out of it with dinner and a stay at the Inn for the night!