We had been looking forward to Katie and John’s engagement session for months. They decided to be extra-adventurous and hire us for a destination session in Asheville, North Carolina. Evan and I booked a hotel room and we made plans to meet at Max Patch for a sunset session on the mountain. As the weekend got closer, we grew concerned about the oncoming weather. The night before the session, the forecast was 100% chance of rain all day, except for a two hour window on Saturday morning.

To add insult to injury, the road to Max Patch was closed — thanks, government shutdown — so we decided to meet at the Omni Grove Park Inn for a mid-morning shoot.

Now, I know that engagement sessions are less about the location and more about the couple. But I worried that Katie and John would be disappointed about having to change the plans last minute.

I worried for nothing, though – Katie and John showed up with big smiles and positive attitudes. They decided to make the best of the situation, and because of that, their photos turned out great! It always makes me so happy to see brides and grooms that keep the main thing the main thing – love for one another, and focusing on the joy behind each moment.

We made a loop around the beautiful grounds of the Grove Park Inn – I love the stone waterfall and the open fields and the enormous lodge that backdrops the elegant setting. When the rain finally came, we ducked inside to enjoy the large fireplace and cozy chairs inside the Inn.

I am really looking forward to Katie and John’s April wedding – not just because it’s going to be at Big Canoe and on my birthday weekend, but because I know that these two will be full of joy, no matter what happens.