The ring showed up the DAY before Amanda & Jason flew to Nashville. Jason & I had been planning this Cheekwood engagement session for a few weeks and somehow the most stressful part was waiting on a delivery. Amanda got on that plane thinking she was just celebrating her birthday, but we had other plans.

What to Know Before You Book a Cheekwood Engagement Session

Timing is everything at Cheekwood. We shot at 11am in May and the sun was full and high with nowhere to hide. It’s workable, and we got great images, but if you have any flexibility I’d aim for later in the afternoon when the light gets softer and the property feels a little more relaxed. You’ll also just be more comfortable.

The wisteria arbor is stunning in spring and frames couples so naturally. The reflecting pool nearby is perfect for wide, scene establishing photos. If you want something a little more architectural, the stone steps leading up to the mansion are also worth including. There’s so much to work with on this property and none of it requires much direction.

If you’re still in the planning stages and not sure where to start, I have a full guide on engagement photo tips that covers everything from timing to what to wear.

Amanda & Jason’s Cheekwood Proposal

I think what I love most about surprise proposals is that the emotion is completely unscripted. There’s no warming up or getting comfortable first. It just happens and everything after it is pure reaction.

The thing nobody really talks about is that shooting right after a proposal can be a little complicated. You’ve just had one of the most overwhelming moments of your life and now someone’s asking you to fall right into a photo session. Some couples snap right into it. Others need a few minutes to just breathe and be in it before they’re ready to do anything else.

That’s why I never rush it. If you need ten minutes to just sit with your person after they propose, take them. The photos will still be there. And truthfully, the ones taken right in the middle of all that emotion, before anyone has composed themselves, are usually the best ones anyway.

If you’re looking for a Nashville engagement photographer for your own Cheekwood session or anywhere else around Nashville, I’d love to hear about it 🙂

Still figuring out where to shoot? Here’s my full roundup of the best Nashville engagement photo locations.