When Amber and Kevin reached out to us, they shared how they had searched through what felt like 80 photographers before finding our work and falling in love with it. From that moment, we knew this couple was special, and their engagement session at Amber’s family home in Paris, VA, was no exception. Their cozy weekend felt like a blend of family tradition, connection, and meaningful moments—everything Nathan and I love about couples in love.

Vietnamese Engagement Celebration (Le Dinh Hon)

Amber and Kevin chose Amber’s family home as the location for their engagement, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

In the little town of Paris, VA, the home felt warm and inviting as it filled with family preparing for the Vietnamese engagement ceremony, Le Dinh Hon.

The house was buzzing with excitement as loved ones gathered, laughed, and shared stories leading up to the big day.

The day before the session, Amber invited us to stop by the house as they were setting up. We were immediately welcomed by her family and treated to an incredible feast of Vietnamese pork chops that we still dream about! (I’m pretty sure I heard Nathan talking about them in his sleep the other night…)

Sharing that meal with Amber’s family was such a special way to kick off the weekend and gave us a glimpse into the heart of their celebration: love, family, and plenty of delicious food.

A Cozy and Intimate Session

Amber and Kevin’s engagement was filled with personal touches that made everything feel meaningful. The morning started quietly as the house slowly came to life, filled with laughter, hugs, and anticipation for the photo session.

We’re HUGE fans of taking things slow on any session. The reason for this is simple: we don’t want any part of your wedding rushed. In our mind, that’s probably the worst thing that can happen. If you rush things, you can’t take things in.

When we shoot an engagement session, we encourage couples to lean in on each other and let us just capture whatever happens. We’ll help “pose” couples who need that bit of help – but I think “guiding” is a better term to describe it.

You may hear of others directing a moment, but even then that is fabricated. We take the approach of guiding because photography isn’t just clicking a button. There’s a level of psychology that goes into this to help couples connect deeply – even with a camera pointed at them.

(Side note for Nathan: Maybe we should just label our services as couple’s therapy?)

An Unforgettable Weekend

While the session itself was super, the weekend surrounding it was just as special. Since we were in the D.C. area for the weekend, Amber and Kevin suggested we take the opportunity to explore the area. We spent Sunday afternoon at their townhouse, taking photos and getting to know them better. Afterward, we headed out for some Korean BBQ together, which gave us a chance to connect on a more personal level.

The next morning, we met up again in D.C. for portraits at the Jefferson Memorial. The early light made for some stunning shots, and afterward, we grabbed breakfast together at Maman Coffee shop. It felt less like work and more like hanging out with friends, and by the time they dropped us off at the airport, we were already sad to leave.

Amber and Kevin’s Home Le Dinh Hon

Looking Ahead

The fact that Amber and Kevin invited us into their lives for this intimate weekend means so much to us. And we’re already looking forward to photographing their wedding next September at Early Mountain Vineyard!

Amber and Kevin, thank you for letting us be part of your story—it was a weekend we’ll never forget.