Creative Charlotte Engagement Session at SOCO Gallery

Engagement portraits at SOCO Gallery—exhibit is Soil and Stars by Allison Janae Hamilton

Allie and Murph’s engagement session felt less like a photoshoot and more like an afternoon spent doing what they already love—walking around midtown Charlotte and enjoying their neighborhood.

During our initial call, they told me how much they love their daily walks around the neighborhood, so we kept that energy in mind when planning locations. Every stop on our route—from SOCO Gallery to the nearby tennis court and shaded park—was within walking distance of home. Familiar, comfortable, and full of personal meaning.

We started at SOCO Gallery, where ALLISON JANAE HAMILTON: SOIL AND STARS was on view. Her work, which explores land, memory, and mythology through layered Southern landscapes, created a thoughtful backdrop for our quieter indoor frames. There was something grounding about beginning the session surrounded by her art—especially in a space that feels so tied to light and form.

From there, we wandered to a nearby tennis court to loosen things up. Allie and Murph kept it playful. There’s a kind of joy that can’t be directed, and they brought it with them.

We ended under a giant oak tree, where they shared a picnic and a drink in the shade. No props, no prompts—just a slow close to a session that already felt like home.

This gallery is a blend of medium format film and digital (shot on my Sony A7III). I use both formats intentionally—film for its softness, tonality, and timeless quality; digital for flexibility and subtle posing when the moment calls for it. The combination allows me to document the candid and the composed in a way that feels honest and elevated.

For creative couples who want something more

If you’re planning a wedding in Charlotte or anywhere along the East Coast and are looking for images with feeling—editorial yet grounded, candid yet considered—I’d love to connect.

I work with couples who value strong storytelling, an artful eye, and a documentary-style approach that never misses the in-between moments. If you're into film photography, emotional candids, and thoughtful direction that doesn’t feel forced—we’ll be a good fit.

Interested in booking your own engagement session?
Let’s start the conversation.