Some locations hold a little extra meaning, and Watauga Lake is one of those places for me.
When Haley and Ethan reached out about scheduling a couples session at Watauga Lake, I immediately said yes. Not only is it one of the most beautiful locations in East Tennessee, but it also happens to be where I photographed their wedding just a year and a half earlier.
Their wedding day in January looked completely different than the spring evening we spent together for these photos. A winter storm rolled through the area the weekend of their wedding, covering the mountains and lake in fresh snow. It was cold, unpredictable, and absolutely beautiful.
When we met again at Watauga Lake for their couples session, the landscape had transformed. The snow was gone, replaced by green mountains, sparkling blue water, and the first signs of summer. Even though the calendar said spring, East Tennessee had other plans. The temperature was much cooler than expected, but these two never complained.
As the evening went on, sailboats drifted across the water, and kayakers paddled along the shoreline. Families gathered around picnic tables while smoke curled from nearby grills. A few people had already started bonfires as the sun began to sink behind the mountains. It was one of those evenings that remind you why so many people fall in love with East Tennessee.
What I love most about photographing couples is getting to document the quieter seasons of their story—not just the wedding day, but everything that comes after. The excitement of planning a wedding is wonderful, but there's something equally special about documenting life once the celebration is over. The ordinary moments often become the most meaningful memories.
Watauga Lake continues to be one of my favorite places for engagement sessions, couples sessions, and portraits in Northeast Tennessee. Between the mountain views, peaceful shoreline, and ever-changing scenery, it's hard to find a more beautiful backdrop.
To these two: thank you for trusting me once again to document this season of your lives. It was such a joy getting to spend another evening with you at a place that already holds so many memories.
Looking for a couple's photographer in East Tennessee? I'd love to help tell your story. Whether it's at Watauga Lake, in the mountains, or somewhere meaningful to you, let's create photographs that feel like your memories.
