Sarah (she/her) and Sarra (she/they) celebrated being together for one year with an anniversary portrait adventure session at a place called Hidden Hills in Newport, Virginia. Their March sunset anniversary portrait adventure session was a little chilly, but it was truly remarkable getting to photograph their unique bond with a jaw-dropping sunset behind the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Wait, what is an Adventure Session?
If you were reading this and thinking to yourself this question, here’s your answer!
An adventure session is whatever you want it to be! It’s usually an engagement session, but it can also be an anniversary session, a day-before or day-after photo session that happens prior to or following your elopement, or a couple session. This type of session usually involves going to an epic location for amazing photos and, as it’s mentioned in the name, involves some element of adventure.
Adventure is completely subjective and could mean something different to each person. An adventure session to you could mean hiking, climbing, or braving the cold (or heat!), or it could entail visiting a place you’ve never been before or experiencing something you’ve never done before.
Sarah and Sarra’s Anniversary Portrait Adventure Session Experience
Hidden Hills was the perfect backdrop for their session. The location is very private, which allowed Sarah and Sarra to feel more comfortable. To help them avoid stiff, posed pictures, I made sure to assist them with choosing the right outfits for their session. I told them to wear what makes them feel comfortable and not to feel like they have to “dress up” for their anniversary portrait session.
I also advised them to wear outfits that would complement one another and their chosen location. I loved what they ultimately chose—the overalls and the decision to go barefoot for their session were PERFECT for them and their overall vibe as well as their location! The addition of their respective flannels when the temperature dropped towards the end of their session added some nice variety to their shots and provided an opportunity for them to snuggle up with one another (which made for some absolutely adorable photos!)
In addition to helping them select the right outfits, I opted to give them a ton of prompts during their session instead of directing them into poses to avoid any moments that made them feel stiff. I really enjoy giving prompts to couples and either telling them to freeze the moment or to repeat the prompt over and over again. When they were focused on performing the task at hand, they weren’t worried about me taking their photo. It was a win-win!
About Sarah and Sarra
In their session questionnaire, Sarah and Sarra described their relationship as “deeply special.” They shared with me that they had an emotional connection unlike any other they’ve experienced in other relationships. From the very beginning of their relationship, their interactions were effortless and natural. They share a bond filled with laughter, often seen giggling and enjoying each other’s presence. As their photographer for the evening, I got to witness a slice of that energy that they wrote about in their questionnaire, which made me even more excited to take their pictures to encapsulate that vibe in their photos.
Sarah and Sarra approached their session with a clear vision: they wanted genuine, candid photos that captured their natural smiles and expressions. After nearly a year together, they realized they only had selfies and photos they took themselves. They wanted professional photos to look back on and enjoy for future anniversaries. They never had professional photos done before and both would describe themselves as “camera shy,” so they were super excited to work with me, especially after hearing such great reviews from a prior client of mine (shoutout to the awesome couples that refer me! Love you, mean it!!).
Reflecting on Sarah and Sarra’s Anniversary Portrait Session
Their love story is a beautiful example of genuine connection and mutual respect. Celebrating LGBTQ+ couples and their love is my passion, and I was honored to be trusted by them to capture their love story. Sarah and Sarra’s session was filled with so many moments of joy, laughter, and pure love. I deeply appreciate the memories created during sessions like these. They remind me of the importance of capturing fleeting moments and the joy they bring to couples like Sarah and Sarra.
If you’re looking for a photographer who will help you two get updated photos, document your proposal and/or engagement, or celebrate your anniversary, you’re in the right place! My name is Cameron (she/her) and I’m a photographer based in Southwest Virginia. I primarily photograph half-day, full-day, or multi-day elopements, but I also have availability in my calendar to photograph adventure sessions as well.
Adventure sessions can be booked separately or added onto any of my elopement packages. And get this: An adventure session is already included in my 12-hour elopement package! So, if you’re planning to elope in Virginia and are yearning for as many opportunities to enjoy the Southwest Virginia hollers as possible, I’d love to be your photographer and capture all of your special moments! Fill out an inquiry form to get started or check out my pricing to learn more about my philosophy, practice, and packages.
I encourage you to check out some of the elopements I’ve planned and photographed for LGBTQ+ couples: Courtney and Nadine’s Duck Pond elopement and Ryanne and Meredith’s Roanoke Airbnb elopement. I’ve also had the privilege of photographing other LGBTQ+ couples to celebrate their engagement or anniversary, check out these couples’ photos and their stories: Levi and Zach’s Fae Cottage Flower Farm Adventure Session in Roanoke, Virginia; Meredith and Ryanne’s Roanoke Star Engagement Session; and James and Pedro’s At-Home Photoshoot Adventure Session in Downtown Roanoke.
Maybe you have plenty of inspiration, but you need planning resources, here a few blogs I’d recommend to help you get started:
