Vanessa and Jairo’s Old Town Alexandria engagement session is a Virginia favorite! Not only do I love coming to Alexandria to photograph couples, but I also love making a day of it. This was Vanessa and Jairo’s second engagement session. We did a quick mini session a year before to get their save-the-dates ready for their Puerto Rico destination wedding. Fast forward a year later, they welcomed a little boy and we were getting ready to photograph them again. This time, a full session in a place close to home.

We met on a summer evening just as the sun was getting ready to set. If you haven’t noticed, golden hour is my favorite for that gorgeous dreamy light. We started at my favorite ivy-filled wall (I can’t believe someone lives here) before heading to Alexandria’s most famous alley. As the light poured over the homes into the alley, Vanessa and Jairo shared an intimate kiss as they navigated the cobblestone and uneven road. We ended the night along the bustling waterfront as passerbys oohed and ahhed at Vanessa and Jairo.

While their destination wedding got moved just days before due to Hurricane Maria, the incredible team made moves and rescheduled their wedding in DC in just three days! Be sure to check back for all that amazingness — it’s truly remarkable what can be done with an amazing vendor team.

Enjoy!

Contax 645 • Portra 400

Photographer: Renee Hollingshead

Makeup: Makeup by Sara Boyd

Hair: Shear Society

Film Lab: The Find Lab