From a Swipe Right to Forever

Erika and Pat’s love story began with a simple swipe right. At the time, Erika had recently moved to New Hampshire for nursing school, while Pat was working in bustling downtown Boston. After weeks of texting, they finally met in person for their first date at Yardhouse near Fenway Park.

Pat initially thought Erika studied at the Boston campus, only to realize—mid-date planning—that she was actually at the New Hampshire campus. This led to her getting stuck in peak Boston traffic, nearly missing their first date by an hour! Luckily, that first date was worth the wait, and as Pat would soon learn, waiting for Erika would become a theme in their relationship.

For months, they took turns visiting each other on weekends, strengthening their bond before eventually making the decision to move in together a year later.

A Valentine’s Day Proposal Surprise

Fast forward five years, and Erika and Pat had settled into their new life in North Carolina. Wanting to make their engagement extra special, Pat planned a surprise Valentine’s Day photo session with their beloved pup, Bentley, under the guise of updating their home with fresh pictures.

What Erika didn’t know was that Pat had been working behind the scenes with her best friends to design a custom engagement ring. He picked it up the morning of their session, ensuring everything was perfect.

As they posed for photos, one particular prompt led seamlessly into Pat getting down on one knee, asking Erika to marry him. The surprises didn’t stop there—when they arrived at her favorite Asian fusion restaurant to celebrate, they were greeted by both sets of parents. Even more touching, Erika’s mother had flown 16 hours from Japan to be there for the special moment.

Exploring Charleston for Their Engagement Photos

I was so excited to capture Erika and Pat’s Charleston engagement photos! The historic charm of this city made for the perfect backdrop to their love story.

We started our session in downtown Charleston, wandering through the cobblestone streets and past the iconic pastel-colored homes. Charleston is truly a dream for engagement photography, offering so much history and beauty in every corner.

Sunset Beach Photos on Sullivan’s Island

To finish off our session, we headed to Sullivan’s Island Beach for some romantic and breezy Charleston engagement pictures. The soft, golden light made everything feel magical as Erika and Pat embraced by the water. There’s something so effortless and intimate about beach engagement photos, and Sullivan’s Island provided the perfect mix of coastal charm and serenity.

I cannot wait to celebrate these two next June at Lowndes Grove, one of the most breathtaking wedding venues in Charleston. The countdown is officially on! If you’re searching for Charleston engagement photographers to capture your love story in an authentic and timeless way, I’d love to connect!