A classic Chevy pick-up truck, a romantic, care-free couple and breathtaking sunset on Skyline Drive— you won’t want to miss this all-American engagement…
Christopher purchased his 1971 Cheverolet C10 after attending a truck show with his father and grandfather.
He loved the idea of working on it on the weekends and after 2 years, got it to a point of not only working, but really getting noticed! Chelsea loved the idea of riding around with her best friend enjoying beautiful scenery in a classic truck. 🙂
In this photo you can see Christopher’s confident nature as he opens Chelsea’s door. I used a tilt shift technique here to draw focus to the couple and Virginia’s breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains:
Chelsea and Christopher first saw Natalie & Alex’s wedding photography and liked that I had worked at both their ceremony site (the Gettysburg Seminary) and wedding venue (the Gettysburg Lodges) before.
They reached out to me looking for relaxed, natural photos that had a real “wow” factor. They wanted an eclectic mix of photos– a few traditional, but most candid and natural, capturing their love for each other and the beautiful scenery, as well as the truck :).
I used a slow shutter speed to capture the movement of the truck in this next photograph. You can see the tires spinning, and the scenery passing by as well as Chelsea’s window rolled down as she looks out to the scenery. I really like how she “pops” in this shot:
Chelsea shared that Christopher has been her rock through 4 years of pharmacy school. He always gives her the advice that she needs to hear and brings her back down to reality when she is under stress.
He is laid back and patient and is the best listener. They are truly each other’s best friends.
They both love the outdoors and particularly mountains. Christopher proposed to her overlooking the Grand Tetons just outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
I love to get to know my couples and capture their relationship, personalities, interests and values through their photos.
In this next photograph you can see the truck, Blue Ridge Mountains and happy couple. You can even see some of the work Christopher has put into the interior.
I love this photo of Chelsea– you can see her bright smile and get a sense for the way Christopher supports her, balances her out and helps her to live and laugh.
I enjoy playing with reflections and caught both their reflections and the iconic stone wall bordering Skyline Drive.
I focused on their body language in this next photograph.
You can get a feel for Christopher’s simple, carefree country style with his boots, jeans and rolled sleeves.
Everything about their body language says love.
I have a few more traditional photos of Chelsea and Chris together, but this is my favorite.
I like their relaxed body language and expressions, her engagement ring and the mountains in the distance:Chelsea shared that she wanted to work with an engagement and wedding photographer who was experienced and would able to give direction when it’s needed and help them to relax and be themselves, too. Christopher shared that he isn’t big on getting photos taken ever and that the experience was painless. 😉
He said that his favorite photos of them will definitely include Chelsea’s laughter. They love to flirt and pick on each other, so capturing that in camera would be great. You can see double the laughter here:
The Skyline Drive sunset did not disappoint. I love how the wind picked up and her dress a little and she is leaning in to Christopher on tiptoe:
This might be my favorite photograph from the set. It shows Christopher’s strength, Chelsea’s trust all while the breeze romantically blows Chelsea’s hair all from the back bed of a pick-up truck. It gives that classic, natural, candid, romantic feel that fits them so well:
Chelsea was thrilled to see a pink sunset. It reminded her of their last day at the ranch in the Grand Tetons when Christopher proposed.
He had kept the ring with him the entire trip, and was just waiting for the perfect moment. He saw the mountain view and the pink sunset and knew the timing was perfect, and popped the question.
I love how they look so tiny silhouetted against the skyline with the truck, their relaxed body language and the way they are surrounded by nature and that lovely sky. This would look amazing as a huge canvas print!
I don’t think you can get more classic & American than this final photo :).
Chelsea and Christopher, thank you for sharing your story with me! It was such a pleasure to visit Skyline Drive with the two of you and capture your personalities, relationship and pick-up truck. I hope that these photos are just the classic, romantic, relaxed, natural images that you were going for and can’t wait to hear what you think! I’m also looking forward to photographing your Gettysburg wedding next year!