My favorite engagement session locations are always the ones that hold some meaning to the couple. Our choice for Chelsea and David’s engagement session happens to also hold special meaning to me! I met Chelsea at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia when we both lived on the same dorm floor my sophomore year. Chelsea was a senior fashion design student and would work on fashion projects – like delicately painting pairs of shoes with gorgeous scenery – in the little sitting area by the stairs so I’d often see her while on my way back from class or going to the dining hall. That same dorm is where Chelsea had met her now-fiance, David, so we decided that a little nostalgia was in order for their engagement session!

We started our sunrise session in front of Butler Hall – the residence hall where they had met – and then explored across campus from there. We did some classic photos in front of the iconic Main House and its neighboring bus stop; wandered across the bridge and into Malek Plaza for a clean and modern setting by the math/sciences building; paid a visit to Gailhac Hall where Chelsea certainly spent a big chunk of time in the fashion design classrooms; twirled a little in the courtyard by Rowley Hall before visiting its picturesque balcony featuring a view of the neighboring golf course and DC in the distance; and ended our session on Ireton Lawn, a staple of campus events right in the middle of campus. Marymount’s campus may be small, but we could have kept going for another hour if we’d had the time and energy because there were so many little picturesque spots on campus and the hilly landscape meant that the light was changing dramatically as the morning went on.

One especially noteworthy part of this session is also that Chelsea made both of the dresses for the session! She is so incredibly talented and I always love seeing the beautiful dresses and accessories she creates when she’s not working her regular job at a bridal boutique. She’s even making her own wedding dress! If that’s not reason enough to look forward to their wedding day, I don’t know what is… So I’m obviously already so very excited for their wedding in Fall 2020!