At one point the weather forecast for Friday the 17th was 90% rain. But I think it says a lot about Hunter and Caroline’s personality that they were willing to drive from Raleigh to Boone to just see what happens! (Spoiler alert: it worked out really well.)

Hunter and Caroline met in college at App State. They had class together and would chat, and while Caroline’s friends would point Hunter out to her on campus, it wasn’t until a year later they started dating. Once Caroline graduated, she made the trek from Raleigh to Boone to see Hunter, and the rest is history. When I asked Hunter how he proposed, it started a little something like this, “I took her to an abandoned mental institution…” haha!

The backstory…Hunter and Caroline have an excited dog, Cooper. He doesn’t do great around other dogs, so they would take him to this space where they could throw the ball and he could run around. It just so happened to be at an abandoned mental institution. That’s where he proposed, and I think it’s the perfect, intimate proposal! And I love that they have a unique story with Hunter telling people that he proposed at an abandoned mental institution, haha!

I also just have to say how flipping excited I was to shoot in Boone and Blowing Rock! When Caroline mentioned that they wanted to do their engagement session there…heck YES! If you’ve never been, it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s in the mountains and just stunningly beautiful. We started at their Alma Mater, App State, and, unbeknownst to us, it was move in weekend! So we were fighting against the rain and a multitude of newbie students. (Bonus: I did get mistaken for a student. I graduated college almost 8 years ago, so, I’m taking that as a mega win.)

We managed to find some quieter space, though, and I just love that we got some images of them back where it all began! After App State, we drove a little into Blowing Rock. There’s this GORGEOUS park Hunter and Caroline went after their first date, and y’all. I just love shooting at places that have sentimental meaning for my couples. It makes the images mean so much more. I love immortalizing not only the memories, but the places that mean something. To put the cherry on top of this sundae, Hunter and Caroline are the sweetest people, and I had SO MUCH FUN with them (and Cooper)! I’m already looking forward to another couple’s session with them around the holiday’s before their wedding next October!

Enjoy some favorites- Hunter and Caroline, y’all are troopers, and I can’t wait to see y’all again!