Charity had a secret. Jonathan had absolutely no idea. She planned the proposal, picked the location, coordinated the photographer (hi, that’s me), and then (in a move that tells you everything you need to know about her) also planned an entire surprise engagement party for afterward, complete with Jonathan’s barbershop quartet and all of their family and friends waiting to celebrate them. By the time I showed up to photograph their midtown Nashville engagement session, there was a lot happening. All of it was wonderful.

Shooting an Engagement Session in Midtown Nashville

We shot in the midtown area of Nashville, spending time around the Barcelona Wine Bar neighborhood — a spot that’s meaningful to them as a couple and one of their favorite places to spend time together. I love that kind of intentionality. When a location is actually part of your story rather than just a pretty backdrop, it shows up in the photos in a way that generic locations just can’t replicate.

Midtown is such a fun area for Nashville engagement photos. There’s so much variety in a relatively small footprint. Interesting architecture, greenery, spots that feel personal & comfy. It’s a great option for couples who want something that feels like their city rather than a tourist destination.

Getting Comfortable in Front of the Camera

More often than not, couples feel nervous before their session. Engagement sessions are a little awkward at the start and that’s just part of the process. We got them laughing pretty quickly (a magical power of mine really) and from there the whole thing shifted. By the middle of the session they were relaxed and fully themselves.

This is one of the reasons I love engagement sessions so much. They give couples a chance to get comfortable with me and with being photographed before the wedding day, when the stakes feel a lot higher. By the time your wedding rolls around, you already know what to expect.

The Proposal

Charity proposed to Jonathan. Both of them got rings. It was untraditional and I loved every second of it.

Everything was perfect. The intentionality of making it just as special for him, the rings for both of them, the location being someplace meaningful. This kind of love photographs beautifully.

The Surprise Party

After the session, Jonathan walked into a room full of every person who loves him: family, friends, and his barbershop quartet, who were there and ready to celebrate. He had no idea any of it was coming. Watching someone realize that the people they love most showed up for them is one of the best things in the world to witness (you can’t convince me otherwise).

Charity, the way you love Jonathan is something special. Congratulations to you both.

If you’re looking for Nashville engagement photos and want someone who will make the whole thing feel easy and fun, I’d love to connect. You can also check out my Nashville engagement session location guide for more ideas on where to shoot.