Lizzie and Kyle’s Richmond engagement photos were such a joy to capture! We spent the evening at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and I can confidently say that this VMFA engagement session will not be my last. Even though it was a beautiful day with lots of people enjoying the grounds, we found so many little pockets of privacy to create something truly special. The golden hour light was absolutely perfect! Lizzie and Kyle were total naturals in front of the camera – full of joy, laughter, and sweet glances.

Richmond Engagement Photos at the VMFA

We started their session near the historic chapel on the VMFA grounds. The chapel features these amazing green arched doors and a soft patch of daffodils blooming out front – hello, spring vibes! Lizzie and Kyle truly warmed up to the camera immediately. Which was indeed no surprise given how sweet and comfortable they are with each other! Kyle wore a soft yellow pullover that paired perfectly with Lizzie’s fun denim dress. The whole look felt fresh, relaxed, and full of personality.

Next, we wandered over to a stone building surrounded by well-kept shrubs. The lighting here was soft and dreamy. It was undeniably giving us those romantic, glowy portraits every Northern Virginia wedding photographer (hi, that’s me!) hopes for. For their next outfit, Lizzie and Kyle changed into their college gear. Lizzie wore her Notre Dame sweatshirt, while Kyle was in a Virginia Tech polo. It was without a doubt a fun personal touch that added a playful, real-life element to the session!

A Romantic Finish with a Special First Dance

Their final outfit change was slightly more formal, and it was such a beautiful choice. Lizzie wore a white dress covered in colorful floral patterns – so perfectly bridal but also vibrant and fun. We made sure to take a few classic photos in front of the VMFA main building. Then we made our way across the lawn, chasing every last bit of golden hour light.

To wrap up the session, we walked over to nearby St. Benedict Catholic Church. As a Catholic wedding photographer, it’s extra fun to find a way to tie the Catholic faith into the engagement session. The warm tones of the brick paired perfectly with the setting sun. And the Marian courtyard gave us one last beautiful backdrop. Finally, Lizzie and Kyle even practiced their first dance in the courtyard. It was such a sweet ending to our session! I absolutely cannot wait to see them share that dance for real on their wedding day in just a few months!

This VMFA engagement session was everything I love about Richmond engagement photos – a beautiful location, golden light, and a couple that is so clearly in love. I’m so grateful Lizzie and Kyle trusted me to capture this part of their journey, and I can’t wait to be there for the big day!

Looking for more golden hour engagement session inspo? Check out Megan and Rob’s Brookside Gardens engagement photos and Sarah and Max’s romantic garden engagement session.