Blue Ridge Mountain Engagement Photo Adventure on Tanawha Trail

The majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains captivate a lot of people and these two are no exception. Jess and Mike are both transplants that found their way to the High Country—and haven't wanted to leave—like so many other folks in this region that permanently relocate. This is where they've been building their lives together and it's where they plan to remain for many more years.

It made perfect sense to select an engagement photo location that highlights what they love about living here. Jess and Mike don't have as much time to go on adventures as often as they would like because their home and work lives are so full, which is why we revisited one of their favorite hiking spots to photograph their engagement pictures while also enjoying the second day of summer.

The location for the engagement session that they chose was a section of the Tanawha Trail that's in Foscoe, about a 30 minute drive from the Boone, NC area. After making my way up a windy gravel road, I reached the parking area at the trail head. You used to park on the side of the road but now there's a whole area available that can accommodate a handful of vehicles, it's a great improvement!

As I waited for Jess and Mike to arrive, I chatted up sweat-drenched, red-faced hikers catching their breath in the parking lot. It happened to be one of the hottest days we've had so far here in the mountains, but it still beats being in Florida! A hot summer day in the Blue Ridge Mountains is far different from the sweltering heat experienced further south. They're deal with triple digits down there while we're protesting temperatures that climb to the high 80's! (Mountain folk are spoiled.)

These two enjoy the simple things in life and they share a deep passion for food. Whether they're growing it, cooking it, or eating it, it's an important of Jess and Mike's relationship. When they aren't working at Artisnal—a beautiful, upscale restaurant with five-star food in Banner, Elk—getting their hands dirty in their home garden and greenhouse with their three dogs running around the yard is how they like to spend their downtime.

For the first part of our session, I took them through the hardwood forest so we would have some shade until the sun went down a little more. After hiking for a bit we broke out of the woods into a sun-soaked pasture where the couple cuddled with a blanket of delicate wild daisies surrounding them.

We navigated all of natures wonders with a deep sense of gratitude. I really appreciated the fact that these two didn't mind the bugs swirling around them or the brambles we trekked through or the cow pattie landmines waiting to be squashed under our footsteps. Jess + Mike are a daring pair and they're always up for having an adventure! Definitely my kind of peeps!

It was a lot of fun observing and capturing the playful dynamic they have with one another. The joy they emanate was evident a mile away. I'm so glad we were finally able to get their engagement pictures done because the weather wasn't cooperating with us at first. It was a blast getting to know these two kindred spirits and I am so looking forward to photographing their wedding this August at Camp Sky Ranch.

CONGRATULATIONS to Jess + Mike on your engagement and upcoming marriage! I know you two will have epic adventures, and I hope that your relationship and connection will grow stronger as you continue this journey together! Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your adventurous engagement photos on the Tanawha Trail. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek while I finish up your full gallery.

Are you newly engaged or in the process of planning a wedding? Download a FREE copy of the 12-Month Wedding Planning Checklist to jump start your planning!

It's a free gift when you sign up for weekly emails from me (your adventurous ally). If you are already part of the tribe and subscribed to the Weekly Wander, you should have already received a download link in a previous newsletter. Let me know if you didn't receive it!

Hi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

{ Featured LINKS }

» Date Night Idea Jar DIY + FREE Printable
» Katelyn + Seth's Blowing Rock Engagement Pictures
» Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure
» Abby + Cameron's Boone Engagement Photos

Gideon Ridge Inn Engagement Pictures in Blowing Rock, NC

After having to reschedule several times due to the unpredictable mountain weather, we finally managed to squeeze in Katelyn & Seth's engagement shoot last week. Initially, they were hoping to do a snowy engagement session but Mother Nature didn't cooperate with us this winter, so we waited.

I checked the forecast, as usual, and it wasn't looking so favorable for later that afternoon so we bumped up the time in hopes of avoiding the storms. And because these two are getting married in just 2 days we had to get their engagement photos done, RAIN or SHINE, this time around!

While on my way to the shoot it was apparent that the rain wasn't going anywhere, but we were determined to make do with whatever we were given despite the less than desirable weather.

The Gideon Ridge Inn had a porch, thankfully, that no one was interested in using because of the showers. We didn't mind having the place to ourselves!

Anytime during the shoot when I noticed that the rain had subsided, we would run out to grab a few quick photos before we had to retreat back to the shelter of the stone porch. We only had about 5-10 minutes each time until the rain started up again, but it was better than nothing!



I'm pretty thankful that we did get to spend some time doing their engagement pictures out in the open with the mountain view because those are my favorite photos from their shoot. After all, the amazing views are the main reason why Katelyn and Seth chose Gideon Ridge for their engagement photo location.

I loved the location because I had a lot of interesting areas that we could use even though the rain posed some challenges. We gained permission to use this lovely venue for their engagement pictures because Seth was in cahoots with the head chef at Gideon Ridge. It's one of Bistro Roca's sister properties which is where Seth works as a chef.

The couple decided to have engagement photos taken because they don't have very many "nice" photos of them together as a couple where they're not making goofy faces or flipping off the camera. ;-)

Katelyn and Seth were super sweet, and they didn't seem to have a problem with all the cheesy things I did and said to get them to laugh. It wasn't so bad dodging the rain with these two either, it was actually fun. They were troopers, though, that's for sure!

CONGRATULATIONS to Katelyn + Seth on your engagement and upcoming marriage! Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your adventurous engagement photos in Blowing Rock, NC.  I can't wait to photograph your wedding this weekend! I hope you enjoy this sneak peek while I finish up your full gallery.



Are you newly engaged or in the process of planning a wedding? Download a FREE copy of the 12-Month Wedding Planning Checklist to jump start your planning!

It's a free gift when you sign up for weekly emails from me (your adventurous ally). If you are already part of the tribe and subscribed to the Weekly Wander, you should have already received a download link in a previous newsletter. Let me know if you don't receive it!

Hi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

Abby + Cameron's Mountain Engagement Photography Adventure by Boone NC Photographer Wayfaring Wanderer

After the unpredictable Boone weather caused us to reschedule on two different occasions, it was finally time for Abby + Cameron to step in front of my camera.

They ventured up the mountain all the way from Charlotte, NC to meet up with me here in Boone, NC for their engagement photos. I’m so glad that we held out for better weather because it was a beautiful day!

Since spring is really only beginning to emerge up here in the mountains we came up with an unconventional idea for the location of their engagement shoot.

I met the couple at Horn in the West, an outdoor theater and living museum near the center of town where they host shows every summer. It’s the nation’s oldest Revolutionary War Drama according to the Blue Ridge Heritage website.

Right now, Horn in the West and the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum is a ghost town. Technically, it’s closed for the season, but we picked this location because I thought the rustic details would make for a great backdrop. It also offered a lot of privacy, no one else was around but the three of us.

Abby & Cameron’s love story started about 6 years ago while she was still in college. He had just graduated, but a mutual friend introduced them and their life has been one awesome adventure after another since they started dating!

The couple is planning their destination mountain wedding for this August and it’s happening at an awesome outdoor wedding venue here in Boone called Camp Sky Ranch. I’m so excited to be their wedding photographer as they begin their next BIG adventure! 

After spending some time walking around the Hickory Ridge Homestead area, we hiked over to the neighboring Daniel Boone Native Gardens. I knew that this area wasn't going to have as much appeal since everything is still bare and mostly brown. 

Truth be told, it looked as sad as I knew it would so we didn't stick around this part for too long before we ventured elsewhere.

Our next stop on our engagement photography adventure was the Strawberry Hill Arboretum, a green space not too far from Horn in the West and where the Watauga County Farmers’ Market takes place.

A short 0.4 mile hike will take you to the top of the hill where there’s an expansive stone terrace that overlooks the surrounding mountains. It’s not the most jaw dropping view to be seen around these parts but it’s just as memorable! 

 
The connection that these two share was so strong and solid. I’m honored that I was able to capture this exciting time in their lives. Abby and Cameron, you two are super awesome and I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to be your engagement photographer! I'm really looking forward to photographing your upcoming wedding soon!

CONGRATULATIONS to Abby + Cameron on your engagement and upcoming marriage! I know you two will have the most epic adventures in life and love, and it's my wish that your connection will only grow stronger as you continue this journey together! Thank you so much for choosing me to capture your adventurous engagement photos here in Boone, NC. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek while I finish up your full gallery.

Are you newly engaged or in the process of planning a wedding? Download a FREE copy of the 12-Month Wedding Planning Checklist to jump start your planning!

It's a free gift when you sign up for weekly emails from me (your adventurous ally). If you are already part of the tribe and subscribed to the Weekly Wander, you should have already received a download link in a previous newsletter. Let me know if you don't receive it!

Hi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

{ Featured LINKS }

» Date Night Idea Jar DIY + FREE Printable

» Katie  Dom's Greenway Trail Engagement Adventure

» BIG LIST of Boone Wedding Vendors + FREE Printable

» Kim + Dennis' Linville Falls Engagement Adventure