Jenny & Danny Engagement | Hanover VA | Sarah Kane Photography

RVA Barn Engagement | sarah kane photography

Horses, barn, and a field of tiny yellow flowers. What more does a photographer need to be in heaven? Throw in an awesome laid back couple and you have yourself a mighty fine night for an engagement shoot!  I have really lucked out this season with my couples. I must attract very easy going people! 

 When I pulled in and saw the back drop that I was about to photograph I wanted to drop my camera (ok set it down ever so gently) and begin twirling through those flowers singing "the hills are alive" (one of my all time favorite movies by the way).  Instead I composed myself and just took it all in quietly. I wonder what Jenny & Danny would have done if I had pulled a Fraulein Maria on them? Anyway, it was a gorgeous night, a spectacular setting and yet another amazing couple! Oh I almost forgot, Sky, my furry new friend. All it took was a pocket full of treats and we were pals! I'm very excited for Jenny & Danny's wedding in October which will be at another beautiful barn! No doubt the scenery will be as breath taking as their engagement session! 


Engagement Signs for Dogs | Sarah Kane Photography
Dogs | sarah kane photography
Engagement | sarah kane photography

Jaci & Dylan Engagement | Bertha's Country Lane | Richmond Va | Sarah Kane Photography

Rainy Engagement | Sarah Kane Photography

I love when my couples find their own locations for engagement shoots and Jaci & Dylan found the perfect place! Jaci & Dylan are having a "Secret Garden" themed wedding at a quaint bed & breakfast in Clarksville Va.  They wanted a location for their engagement session that complimented their theme and I can't think of a more perfect place than Bertha's Country Lane nestled in the museum district of Richmond. Jaci learned about this hidden gem from a news segment about Bertha and her country lane.

Bertha's Country Lane named after Bertha Bourke April, 28 2014

Bertha's Country Lane named after Bertha Bourke April, 28 2014

92 - year - old Bertha Burke has lived in Richmond for 70 years and planted all of the beautiful flowers in this alley. We were lucky enough to meet Bertha during the shoot and she was as sweet and lovely as her garden.  She was on her way to deliver flowers to her neighbor and let Jaci borrow the bouquet for a picture! Bertha told us she grew up in the country and is a country girl at heart. In 1954 Bertha planted grass in the alley and has been keeping it going ever since. Even after the death of her husband in 2012 and a recent foot injury Bertha continues to take care of the alley. She looks forward to spring and all of the visitors that walk through the alley to admire her flowers.

Last March City Councilman Jon Baliles noticed Bertha's alley and all of the work she does and said, "I'm going to name this alley after you" which Bertha replied, "I don't like the word alley. This is my country lane."  

This is just one of the many things I love about Richmond. There is such a sense of community here. Having relocated to Richmond 6 years ago I am finding more and more things about it that I love! From the amazing tacky light tours in the winter to this beautiful country lane in the middle of Richmond. It's a beautiful thing to watch people open their homes for the community to enjoy.

Speaking of enjoying, this engagement session was so amazing! Not only was the location beautiful, but Jaci & Dylan were so sweet!  I love when men get involved and was excited that Dylan had a few cute ideas that really added to the shoot! What makes this session and the couple even more unique is that it was dreary and raining all day, but Jaci & Dylan decided to go ahead with the shoot anyway and thought the rain would add character. They were so right! It started to pour on my way to the shoot and I thought we were going to have to cancel, but it slowed down when I got there and we were able to get amazing shots! I absolutely cannot wait for this wedding!

Read more about Bertha's Country Lane here

Secret Garden Engagement | Sarah Kane Photography
Rainy Engagement | Sarah Kane Photography

So sweet, Jaci you are one lucky lady!

Thank you Bertha for bringing a little bit of the country to Richmond!

Anniversary | Meadow Farms VA | Sarah Kane Photography

Another gorgeous December day in Richmond and I got to spend it at one of my favorite places with an adorable couple! Kim and Dustin were celebrating nine happy years together and I can't think of a better gift to each other than a photo shoot (with Sarah Kane Photography of course ;) 

Snow Zimmerman Final Dec 27 2013_227.jpg

We met at the very quaint  Meadow Farms and our photo shoot began before Kim and Dustin even got to the top of the hill (love my 70-200 mm lens). My dad, who is learning my photography style to one day second shoot with me, said "I hope that's them". Kim and Dustin were thinking, "I sure hope that's Sarah and not some psycho stalking us!"  

Kim and Dustin were so relaxed in front of the camera, although they assured me otherwise, I'd swear they have pictures taken on a regular basis. Their undeniable connection to one another, combined with a few directions from me, resulted in the sweetest most natural pictures ever! Since this adorable couple was married in December they were hoping for a nice snowy scene. Given Richmond's history for unpredictable weather we weren't counting on it, so I brought some of my own snow (which seems to be becoming my trade mark for winter sessions). They were so cute! It's amazing how something like snow (even if it's not exactly real snow) can bring out the inner child in all of us. You can't help but smile and be happy. 

I was so glad to meet Kim and Dustin's furry baby Sydney. She was such a good girl and looked right at the camera for me! I didn't even have to make silly noises, jump up and down, or bride her with anything. She was the perfect model. Even with free roaming turkeys, horses, and sheep, she was a very good girl. 

Happy Anniversary Kim and Dustin. I wish you many more years of  much love and happiness!