CJ & Danaya are soulmates and Best friends!

In my years as a photographer, I’ve been extremely lucky to work with all kinds of amazing human beings. As you’d expect, every couple is different from the next. Some are all about the PDA, some are all about keeping it sweet and romantic, and some people… well, some people just know how to fill a session with laughter and joy!

Meet CJ and Danaya, two wonderful souls who brought so much life to our session together. This Maryville Tennessee engagement photoshoot took place on a charming farm, which belongs to the couple’s close personal friends. We spent 2.5 hours in this serene location, capturing moments that beautifully showcased their love story.

From the moment we began, CJ and Danaya were cracking jokes, laughing, and sharing stories with me and my assistant about the lambs on the farm—lambs they helped their friends raise. Between the laughter, there were also calm and beautiful intimate moments that truly highlighted the depth of their connection. It was very obvious that CJ and Danaya are not just lovers; they are also best friends, sharing a bond that is both joyful and deeply meaningful.

One particularly funny moment was when we noticed that one of the lambs had a deeper voice than the others, and he was promptly and aptly nicknamed Barry, after Barry White, the famous singer. It was these little moments that made the session so memorable for me.

When asked about their favorite part of the session, CJ shared, “My favorite part was getting to know LaDonna because we’d only seen her over Zoom, and I also really enjoyed the quality time with my fiancée. It was intimate, even with the camera there the whole time.” Danaya echoed that sentiment, adding, “The session was so much fun, and I loved the intimacy we shared throughout.”

These two are officially tying the knot on November 9, 2024, at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, Tennessee—a location they chose for its serene natural surroundings and its proximity to a preschool. It’s fitting since they’ve spent most of their lives teaching in a preschool together.

I’m so excited to capture their unique wedding, where they’ll be doing a first duet instead of a first dance—just one of the many special details that perfectly represents the kind of people they are.

With a relationship as lighthearted and fun as this one, I don’t think they’ll need any luck at all!

CJ and Danaya, I can’t wait to see you both in Knoxville on your special day!

🎠✨ Onward To Happily Ever After! 🥂