Haley & Brandon's Engagement Session at Reynolda Gardens | Winston-Salem, NC

 

When couples ask me for engagement session location recommendations around the Triad, Reynolda Gardens is always near the top of my list...and Haley and Brandon's session is the perfect example of why.

These two are getting married out of state, but wanted to have their engagement photos taken close to home, so we met up at Reynolda Gardens in Winston-Salem. We seriously couldn't have picked a better time of year. The flowers were in full bloom, everything was so colorful, and every turn seemed to give us another beautiful spot to explore.

Couple standing in front of an elegant white glass greenhouse conservatory surrounded by lush green trees and lawn.
Groom dips bride in blue dress in romantic pose before elegant white glass greenhouse conservatory.

One of my favorite things about photographing engagement sessions is getting to know my couples before the wedding day. By the time the wedding rolls around, we've already spent time together, you've gotten comfortable in front of my camera, and it feels like hanging out with friends instead of meeting your photographer for the first time.

Haley and Brandon made my job so easy. They laughed together, talked to each other naturally, and were completely up for exploring the gardens with me. Those are always my favorite sessions because the photos end up feeling genuine instead of overly posed.

A couple dancing joyfully in a lush garden, man in white shirt twirling woman in blue floral dress.
Lush garden border with pink lilies, white flowers, and layered greenery in soft evening light.
A couple walks hand-in-hand through a lush garden path, smiling at each other in golden sunlight.

One of our first stops was in front of the beautiful greenhouse. I love how the tall trees naturally frame the building, making it feel tucked away like something out of a storybook. It created the perfect backdrop while still keeping the focus exactly where it should be—on Haley and Brandon.

Couple embracing on green lawn before glass greenhouse surrounded by tall trees in golden sunlight.
Couple standing on green lawn in front of a glass greenhouse surrounded by tall evergreen trees on a sunny day.
Couple embracing and smiling in front of a glass greenhouse in a lush green garden, woman in blue floral dress.
Couple standing in front of elegant white glass greenhouse conservatory surrounded by lush green trees and manicured lawn.

As we wandered through the gardens, we found colorful flower beds, winding paths, and so many little pockets of beautiful light. The gardens truly do most of the decorating for you this time of year, which means we can spend less time searching for locations and more time simply enjoying the session.

One thing I loved about these two was how comfortable they were just being together. There wasn't any pressure to perform for the camera. They smiled, laughed, hugged, and enjoyed the evening—and those are always the moments that make my favorite photographs.

Couple embracing in a rose garden, woman in blue floral dress smiling at man in white shirt amid colorful blooms.
A couple walks hand-in-hand on a dirt path surrounded by lush greenery, smiling at each other.

Thinking About Having Your Engagement Session at Reynolda Gardens?


If you're planning your engagement session at Reynolda Gardens, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your experience.


Plan Your Session Around Golden Hour

The hour before sunset gives us the softest, most flattering light. It's warm, romantic, and makes the gardens absolutely glow.


Wear Something That Feels Like You


You don't need to wear something fancy just because it's an engagement session.

Choose outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident. Neutral colors, soft patterns, and outfits that complement each other (instead of matching exactly) always photograph beautifully among the gardens.


Don't Stress About Posing


I hear this almost every session:

"We're awkward in front of the camera."

I promise—you don't have to know what you're doing.


My job is to guide you the entire time so your photos feel natural. I'll give you prompts, movement, and direction, but I'm never looking for stiff, perfectly posed smiles. I want the moments where you're laughing together, whispering something that makes the other person smile, or forgetting the camera is even there.

Those are the photos you'll love the most years from now.


Make It a Date Night


One of my favorite pieces of advice is to plan something fun afterward.

Go grab dinner in downtown Winston-Salem, stop for ice cream, or explore a local coffee shop. Treat your engagement session like a date instead of another wedding task on your to-do list. It helps you relax, and honestly, it just makes the whole evening more memorable.

Happy couple sitting together on a white wooden garden bench surrounded by lush green trees.
Couple sitting on steps of elegant garden gazebo with dark columns, surrounded by lush greenery and flowers on a sunny day.

Congratulations, Haley & Brandon!


Thank you both for trusting me to capture this exciting season of your lives. I had so much fun wandering through Reynolda Gardens with you, and I can't wait for you to look back on these photos years from now and remember this chapter before your wedding day.



I wish you both the very best as you begin this next adventure together!

A couple dances outdoors in a lush garden, man in white shirt and woman in blue floral dress, holding hands raised.
A man in a white shirt kisses a smiling blonde woman in a blue floral dress outdoors in a garden.

Looking for an Engagement Photographer in Winston-Salem?


Whether you're getting married in North Carolina or planning a destination wedding like Haley and Brandon, engagement photos are such a fun way to celebrate this season of your life.


If you're looking for a Winston-Salem engagement photographer who will help you feel comfortable, capture genuine moments, and create timeless images you'll love for years to come, I'd love to chat!

Couple sitting on a wooden bench in front of a rustic cabin surrounded by lush green trees.
Lush garden border with pink lilies, white flowers, and layered greenery in soft evening light.