A thorny adventure: Zachary and Addi’s Outdoor couple Photography session
Some couple photography sessions don’t go exactly as planned — and those are often the ones you remember most.
Addi and Zachary are a few years younger than me and attend the same high school I graduated from. Addi first reached out to me on TikTok to book a couple session, and that moment meant more than she probably realized. It was one of the first times I felt like my photography was reaching people beyond my immediate circle.
For their outdoor couple photos, Addi shared inspiration images and told me she envisioned an open field with natural light. After exploring a few ideas, she mentioned a beautiful spot behind Zachary’s house — and it turned out to be the perfect location.
Golden Hour, Open Fields, and Candid Moments
One thing I almost forgot? Daylight saving time had just happened the day before. Thankfully, Addi messaged me to move the session earlier — otherwise, we would’ve been shooting in the dark. Crisis averted.
Going into the session, I was nervous. This was one of my first sessions with clients I didn’t know well, and I overthought everything — how to pose them, what to say, and how to make them feel comfortable. But the moment I arrived, all of those nerves disappeared.
To get to the field, we hopped on a four-wheeler — which I definitely wasn’t expecting. I held onto my camera tight, hoping it wouldn’t fly off, and laughed the whole way there. Once we arrived, the scene was stunning. The golden hour light hit the field perfectly, creating a warm and dreamy backdrop.
For this couples photo session, I focused on candid, action-based prompts to capture their young love naturally. One of my favorite prompts was: “Chase her, and when you catch her, pick her up and spin her.”
They nailed it — maybe a little too well.
Mid-spin, they both lost balance and fell straight into a patch of thorns. When they stood back up, they were covered in grass and scratches — Zachary’s arm was even bleeding. I felt awful and assumed we’d need to stop, but they just laughed, brushed themselves off, and kept going. (And yes — they were both wearing white.)
Real Moments Make the Best Photos
During editing, I carefully removed the scratches and blood from Zachary’s arm in nearly every image. But honestly? It was worth it. The photos were full of genuine laughter, movement, and real connection.
That day reminded me that the best couple photography sessions aren’t about perfection — they’re about authenticity. And sometimes, the messiest moments turn into the most meaningful memories.
