A Romantic Roan Mountain Engagement Session with Chloe & Jason

January 31, 2025

When Family Becomes a Client

It all started when Chloe reached out to me about photographing her wedding—and I was instantly thrilled. Chloe isn’t just another sweet bride; she’s actually my husband’s niece! So yes, I was beyond excited when she asked me to capture her big day.

She shared that they were planning to get married in her parents’ backyard, and that just made my heart burst. I love backyard weddings. They’re intimate, relaxed, and just feel extra personal. So of course, I was completely on board.

Since Chloe and Jason live in Johnson City, I suggested we take their engagement photos at my favorite spot—Roan Mountain. If you’ve never been there in June, it’s pure magic. The Rhododendron flowers burst into bloom and paint the entire mountain in soft pinks and purples. Chloe immediately said yes, and I started counting the days!

Meeting at the Family Home

When the session day finally arrived, I drove out to meet them at her parents’ house—and oh my gosh, it was stunning. I’m talking fairy-tale-level beautiful. It looked like a miniature castle tucked into the hills. As soon as I saw it, I could already picture their wedding day there.

Once we all hugged and caught up, the three of us hopped in the car and started the 40-minute drive to the mountain. We spent the entire ride talking about their love story, their wedding plans, and how close they came to eloping instead.

Their Love Story: A Match Made by Mom

Here’s the cutest part—Chloe’s mom actually introduced her to Jason! She knew him through work and thought he was handsome, smart, and just an all-around amazing guy. She took a leap of faith and introduced them, and the rest is history.

Their first date was at a coffee shop (because of course—adorable!), and right away, Chloe knew he was special. One of their earliest adventures together? A trip to the mountains. So it felt full-circle to be up there again, capturing this next chapter.

Wildflowers, Wind, and Mountain Magic

As soon as we arrived, I couldn’t stop smiling. The Rhododendron were in full bloom—like, seriously peak season—and the whole mountain was covered in pink flowers. It felt like we’d stepped into a dream.

We wandered through the wildflowers, laughing and chatting the entire time. The weather was a little stormy, which honestly added to the vibe. The wind picked up just enough to give Chloe’s hair that windswept, romantic look you can’t fake. And those rolling clouds? Pure mountain drama.

The Sweetest Surprise Ending

As we started hiking back down, the magic wasn’t over yet. We spotted a deer quietly grazing by the trail, and everyone paused to admire it. It felt like the perfect ending to a dreamy, nature-filled session.

But wait—there’s more. After all that mountain magic, we wrapped up the evening with burgers at Mid City in Johnson City. If you’ve never been, add it to your list. Hands down, best cheeseburgers in town. It was the perfect ending to a day full of love, laughter, and lots of windblown hair.