McCauley + John Engagement Session | Lullwater Park | Atlanta, Georgia

Y’all, this engagement session was truly one for the books!

I’ve known McCauley for several years, and she’s one of my all time favorite people. We met when she joined my department while I was still working a corporate job. She quickly became one of my best friends and ultimate cheerleaders for starting my business. We spent any break we had during the work week goal setting, talking about our big dreams, and pushing each other to take daily action to make them come true. I can confidently say I wouldn’t be where I am without her friendship. She’s the kind of person who makes you feel capable of anything you can dream up.

So, when she told me that she and John wanted me to capture their wedding day, it was the actual greatest honor. I was shaking, there were big hugs, and lots of squealing.

To get to tell their love story through their engagement session was also a magical day. You already know McCauley is a one-of-a-kind human. So, I’m sure you can imagine that her person is pretty dang special as well. John also radiates positivity. He’s an incredible friend and he looks at McCauley like she hung the moon and the stars. They are champs on any dance floor they find, and he’s currently rocking it in medical school. And here’s the best part… his last name is Hurt. That’s right, folks. He’s going to be Dr. Hurt one day soon hahaha!

Together, they are the definition of spontaneity and going with the flow for the sake of fun. To say they are meant to be is the understatement of the century.

So, for their engagement session, we started out with some law-bending excitement! We attempted to shoot at an insanely cool, abandoned greenhouse in the middle of Atlanta, Georgia. Well… about 1.5 minutes and one really incredible photo later, we heard someone bark, “Umm, you’ve got to go.” And we scurried away laughing, hearts racing a little, and feeling fairly rebellious.

As we giggled our way back to the car, feeling a little like 15-year-olds who had gotten caught sneaking out, we were pumped for plan B — wandering through Lullwater Park near Emory University. And wow, we were in for a BIG treat. As we headed down one of the trails, in search of the perfect place to frolic around, I noticed a portion of the woods that looked like an absolute fairytale. The light was hitting it in all the right places, there was gorgeous moss on perfect logs, and I immediately squealed, “YAASSSS QUEENS! Let’s go over here!”

We set up a random music channel on Pandora and they got lost in their own little world together. I fan-girled all around them snapping my shutter like a crazy person. Their love is entirely effortless. It’s the kind of thing you always hope for every one of your couples as a photographer — they’re best friends that are crazy about each other.

They find every opportunity to laugh together, even if that means creating a celebration tunnel for random strangers in the park, or doing the limbo under each other’s legs, or pretending they’re back in college at MJQ dancing to rap songs in the middle of a suspension bridge.

We had so much fun we weren’t ready for it to be over, so they treated me to some Jeni’s Ice Cream at Krog Street Market. Then, we finished the day walking on the Atlanta Beltline with sugar highs and full hearts.

Want to see some more lovey-dovey goodness? Check out: www.amandamigliaccio.com!