A Destinatiton Engagement Filled with Rain, Fog, and Love

The Appalachian Mountains have a way of holding stories inside their mist — quiet, sacred, and cinematic. Cece and Stockton’s North Carolina engagement session was exactly that kind of story.

I flew in from Oregon to capture their destination engagement session, part of their Ultimate Wedding Photography Package — which includes a full engagement session anywhere your love story takes you. From the moment my plane touched down, I knew this would be one of those sessions that would stay with me forever.

This was more than an engagement shoot. It was a love letter to the mountains where they fell in love, a celebration of where they said “yes,” and a reflection of everything their wedding will be — moody, intentional, and filled with quiet depth.

The Story Behind the Session

Cece and Stockton live a few hours from the Appalachian Mountains, but this place is part of their story. Every year, they travel here for their anniversary getaway — a tradition that keeps them grounded in the same mountains where Stockton proposed.

This August, they made the trip again. Only this time, I joined them — not just as their photographer, but as a witness to their love in its most natural form.

We spent half a day together, about four hours total, moving through fog, rain, and soft mountain light. We laughed through weather that most couples might cancel for — but Cece and Stockton leaned in. They danced, embraced, and moved through every frame as if the rain was part of their rhythm.

The Proposal Spot: Moses Cone

Our first stop, Moses Cone, was the most meaningful — the place where Stockton asked Cece to marry him. The air was thick with mist, the ground damp from a morning drizzle. Cece wore the same dress she’d worn that day, adding a sense of nostalgia and continuity that made the photos feel like echoes of the proposal itself.

The fog softened everything, and the mountains disappeared into gray. It was quiet except for the sound of water dripping from leaves. They stood in that stillness, surrounded by memories, and it felt like time folded in on itself — the past and present colliding in the most beautiful way.

The Park

Next, we drove to a mountain park, and the rain finally began to ease. The weather shifted to a soft overcast, and the sky settled into that gentle, diffused light that makes every color feel richer. There was no direct sun, but the muted glow made the greens deeper and the air calmer. Fog still drifted through the trees, curling around the tall pines like smoke as we made our way up the trail.

They changed into casual, elevated outfits — tones of earth and slate that blended beautifully with the landscape. Their laughter carried down the quiet paths, and for the first time that day, we had a true break from the rain. Because the weather had finally calmed, we could slow down, breathe, and focus on a few intimate moments without rushing to stay dry. So, we paused often — capturing quiet portraits, gentle movements, and little spaces where they could simply be together.

Those are always the moments I love most — when couples forget the camera and fall back into their own rhythm. The overcast light wrapped around them softly, and the forest felt completely still, as if it belonged only to us. And as we finished this part of the session, it felt like the day was finally opening up — calm, moody, and entirely theirs.

Trash Can Falls, The Final Location

Our final stop was Trash Can Falls, tucked deep in the mountains and surrounded by lush forest. By the time we arrived, the rain had completely passed. The air was soft and clean, carrying the scent of pine and wet earth. The sky stayed overcast, but the light was even and gentle, making every color feel richer. A faint mist lingered above the water, creating a quiet, moody atmosphere without a single drop falling.

It was the perfect way to end the session because everything finally slowed down. The world felt still again. We could hear only the rush of the falls and the echo of our steps on damp rock. We wandered along the water’s edge, finding small pockets of light where it gathered on the surface. Naturally, we stopped often to capture those still moments.

Cece and Stockton finally relaxed into the calm after the storm. They moved together easily, hand in hand, laughing as they explored. The rain had kept us on our toes earlier, but now we had time to breathe. We captured their final portraits without worrying about getting soaked. So, we lingered a while longer.

The overcast sky wrapped everything in a soft gray glow that felt cinematic and quiet. These were the photos that told their truth — tender, romantic, and full of peace that comes only after the rain.

Touring Twickenham House

The Future Wedding Venue

After our session, we toured Twickenham House, their wedding venue in the blue ridge mountains of North Carolina. Stepping onto the estate felt like entering a story — one where every detail whispers elegance, mountain charm, and timeless romance.

The estate stretches across 400 private acres of pristine wilderness, and because it’s nestled deep in the mountains, it offers complete privacy and a feeling of being beautifully tucked away from the world. It’s not just a venue — it’s a canvas, and every inch of it feels intentional.

As we began walking the grounds, we passed architectural details that immediately caught my eye. The soaring cathedral ceilings, massive stone fireplaces, and walls of windows frame the mountain views so perfectly. Inside, the light moves gently through each room, and every space feels like a portrait waiting to happen.

We wandered from the main house to the gardens and into forest glens, and each space offered something unique. We imagined where their first look might unfold, where portraits could feel cinematic against the sweeping vistas, and where evening light might filter softly through the trees. The property offers three distinct ceremony locations — The Overlook, with panoramic mountain peaks; The Garden, with its curated floral pathways; and The Forest Glen, shaded by tall native trees that form a natural cathedral.

As we continued exploring, I could feel how the venue blends wildness and sophistication all at once. Twickenham House marries architectural elegance with the raw beauty of nature — stone meeting moss, wood meeting branches, windows reflecting both sky and forest. And because it sits at nearly 5,000 feet in elevation, it offers views that are nothing short of breathtaking.

Touring with Cece and Stockton was more than a walkthrough — it felt like co-creating a vision together. I could already see how their wedding day might unfold in light and shadow: golden hour spilling through windows, portraits along the stone terraces, candlelight glowing inside by the fireplaces, and ceremony moments framed against endless peaks.

That afternoon gave me a blueprint. Because I photographed their engagement session in the same region, I already know how the light behaves here — how the fog drifts at dusk and how the forest hums with quiet presence. Touring Twickenham House with them allowed me to merge their emotional story with the physical space, so I could envision not just where their photos will happen, but how they’ll feel.

Why Engagement Sessions Matter

Engagement sessions are more than just a box to check before the wedding — they’re a chance to breathe, to connect, and to see how your love translates into art.

When you work with me, your engagement session is a collaboration. It’s how we build trust and flow before your wedding day. You get comfortable in front of the camera, we find your rhythm together, and you get to relive the emotion of being engaged through timeless, cinematic imagery.

For Cece and Stockton, their engagement session wasn’t just a warm-up — it was a memory they’ll never forget.

Destination Wedding Photography Package – starting at $5,500 within the U.S.

If you’re ready to hire me for your wedding photography, you can inquire here! Want to learn even more details about what it’s like to work with me? Read more here.

Turning a Trip Into Your Engagement Session

One of the most beautiful parts of being a Destination Wedding and Engagement Photographer is helping couples see that their engagement session doesn’t have to be local.

You can plan it anywhere.

Are you going on vacation? Planning a weekend getaway? Visiting a place that feels like home?
Let’s turn that into your engagement session.

You can:

• Plan your session during a trip or anniversary vacation.
• Make it part of your pre-wedding travel.
• Choose a place that holds sentimental value.
• Make it a fun date day or weekend getaway.

The point is — your engagement photos should reflect you. Whether that’s the moody North Carolina mountains, a sunlit Oregon coast, or a city you both adore, I’ll meet you there.

A Note to My Future Couples

If there’s one thing this session reminded me, it’s that love doesn’t need perfect weather to shine. Some of the most beautiful photos I’ve ever captured happened when things didn’t go “as planned.”

You don’t have to wait for sunshine. You don’t have to stay close to home.
Plan your trip. Pack your outfits. Let’s meet somewhere new and create art together.

Because your engagement session should feel like you.

If you’re looking for a Destination Wedding and Engagement Photographer who will travel to capture your story, whether that’s in North Carolina, Oregon, or anywhere else your love takes you — I’d be honored to tell it.

Inquire here to start planning your session.