Briana (she/her) and Ryne (he/him) celebrated their engagement with a fun and lighthearted session at The Saddle Overlook in Floyd, Virginia. Though the sun was hiding behind the clouds, turning it into more of a moody, overcast evening than golden hour, the weather was mild and the wind added an extra element of excitement to the session. Despite the clouds, the overlook still provided the perfect backdrop to capture their love in this adventurous and beautiful setting.
Wait, what’s an adventure session?
An adventure session is whatever you want it to be! Most of the time, it’s an engagement session. However, it can also be an anniversary session or a casual couple session. Some couples book adventure sessions for laid-back photos the day before or after their elopement.
This type of session is all about going to an epic location for amazing photos. As the name suggests, it involves an element of adventure, which is completely subjective and can mean different things to each person.
For some, adventure might mean hiking, climbing, or braving the cold (or heat!). For others, it could involve visiting a place they’ve never been before or trying something new and exciting.
Briana and Ryne’s Engagement Session Experience at The Saddle Overlook
Briana and Ryne’s adventure session had a clear vision: they wanted it to feel natural, with lots of genuine moments, laughter, and candid expressions, all while focusing on the beauty of nature around them. They were excited about capturing the essence of their connection—real, joyful, and un-posed. From the start, they requested classic, timeless poses that allowed them to interact authentically, while also making sure they had a few “epic” wide shots that highlighted the landscape.
Briana’s outfit was effortlessly chic, starting with a floral dress that had beautiful texture at the top, paired with heels. She later added a white cardigan with delicate trim for extra warmth and variety in the shots. Ryne matched her vibe with a crisp white button-up shirt, chinos, and Chelsea boots, adding a green pullover cardigan later on for comfort during the cool evening. Their outfits were perfectly coordinated, adding variety without taking away from the natural, relaxed feel of the session.
We kept the vibe light and fun! I made sure to bring a mini tarp to keep their clothes dry while they sat on the ground and I edited it out of the final photos to maintain the natural aesthetic they wanted. As we explored the scenery, capturing both intimate moments and wider landscape shots, the session flowed easily.
Briana and Ryne’s Love Story
Ryne first noticed Briana in high school—she walked into the lunchroom one day and that was it for Ryne: He had a crush. They forged a connection and, over time, their friendship grew. Even as life took them in different directions, they stayed in touch. Eventually, a mutual friend gave Ryne a push: Talk to her. Ryne didn’t hesitate and the rest is history!
Fast forward to February 2, 2025. During a quiet morning walk through Baker Park in Frederick, Maryland—the place they now call home—they came across a park bench. Some heartfelt words were exchanged (that neither of them quite remember what was said) and Briana gave an easy “yes.”
When it came time to celebrate, they knew they wanted an adventure that felt like them—surrounded by mountains, trees, and the peacefulness of nature. They planned a cozy weekend getaway in Floyd, Virginia and decided to mark the occasion with an engagement photo session in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
It was the perfect way to capture their love story—one that’s been full of road trips, deep conversations, and the kind of effortless connection that always finds its way back home.
Reflecting on Briana and Ryne’s Engagement Session at The Saddle Overlook
From our discovery call shortly after their engagement to planning the perfect Southwest Virginia location, I was with them every step of the way. We had a full session planning call, went over outfits and logistics, and even pivoted plans when the weather threw us a curveball!
When the day arrived, they braved the wind, embraced the adventure, and we captured the most incredible moments. Their engagement photos weren’t just for memories—they’re planning to use them for their engagement party back home in Maryland!
This is what adventure sessions with me look like—intentional, personalized, and full of care.
Are you excited to start planning your Virginia elopement or adventure session?
If you’re looking for a photographer who will help you capture your engagement, elopement, or any special moment with a sense of adventure, I’d love to work with you! My name is Cameron (she/her), a Virginia elopement photographer and partial planner. I specialize in half-day, full-day, and multi-day elopements. I also offer adventure sessions separately or as add-ons to any of my elopement packages. So, if you’re dreaming of an adventure in the Virginia mountains, let’s make it happen! Fill out an inquiry form to get started or check out my pricing to learn more about my approach and packages.
More Resources for your Virginia elopement or adventure session
I encourage you to check out some of the elopements and adventure sessions I’ve planned and photographed for other couples:
- Anna and Ben’s Fall Engagement Adventure Session in Virginia
- Hunter and Troy’s Blackrock Summit Elopement in Shenandoah National Park
- Sarah and Sarra’s Anniversary Adventure Session in Newport, Virginia
- Laura and Ted’s Tanners Ridge Overlook Elopement in Shenandoah National Park
- Ryanne and Meredith’s Roanoke Star Engagement Session
Maybe you have plenty of inspiration, but you need planning resources. Here are a few blogs I’d recommend to help you get started:
