moonshine shots and duke dogs, baby

July 27th, 2022. I was on my way home from a gorgeous backyard engagement session and was swerving on the back roads of Virginia struggling to find reception. I had a call today with a potential client, and though I am notorious to being late to personal functions, I don't take lateness lightly for BPP. She answers the phone and after a little bit of small talk, she says, "So my fiance and I are looking at more than one photographer for our wedding. Why should we book you over them?"

It wasn't that I wasn't ready for that question, but I wasn't ready for that question. But, you can still have an answer for a question you're not ready for. So I said,
"Your wedding photographer is with you all day long, moreso than your family is for your wedding day. If you don't have someone you can really gel with, you won't have any fun. But I can tell you that I pretty much gel with everybody, and people are my passion. So I can assure you that I've got your back, and we'll have a great time."
One contract and security deposit later, and they were in the books.

August 17th, 2022. We had an engagement session booked at Libby Hill Park in Richmond, Virginia. I was on my way from Williamsburg when there was a huge accident, making me late. Though it's usually my job to help with the nerves of taking photos, Amy and David did me one differently when I arrived. They got out of their car with a bottle of moonshine and blushing cheeks. 
"We took shots while we were waiting for you!" they said.

It was in that moment - I was in. Moonshine on a Wednesday afternoon? I think we've found the real soulmates of this story.

February 18th, 2023. The warmest February day in Virginia I have ever witnessed. But being the West African that I am, I felt right at home. Even moreso, I was with Amy and David - some of my favorite humans on the planet. 

And let me tell you, the foreshadowing from those moonshine shots did not disappoint in the happy ending. Amy and David's wedding was truly one for the books. I ended up falling in love with them just as much as they are in love with each other (actually, probs more). I call them Mom and Dad to this day and am so happy they asked me to be a part of their love party.

Oh, did I mention they went to JMU? Go Dukes ;)