Last weekend we traveled north for this Carrboro, NC engagement session. Chels + Seth have CRAZY schedules and they joked while we were there that they had seriously considered having their engagement photos done after their ever-nearing wedding. Thankfully it worked out for us all that none of us had to wait that long.

We love the approach that Chels + Seth took to their entire session. They sent us a list highlighting a few of their favorite spots around Carrboro. Then they treated us like friends from out of town and took us around to these spots. They let us explore and do creative things all while we shared stories and good coffee. We had the best time and it truly felt like we were on an adventure and happened to be taking a bunch of extra photos.

Chels + Seth, your love story is beautiful. We love how much you make each other laugh and how you guys can be weird together. We CANNOT wait until September to get to celebrate with you again! Thank you for the one millionth time for the best weekend ever! You guys remind me of one of my favorite quotes, often misappropriated to Dr Seuss, and so I will leave it here. I don’t really care who said it, because its beautiful, and accurate:

“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”

-Unknown

The above photo was taken at Baxter Arcade in Chapel Hill technically before the session started, but its no accident that we had a camera on standby. Chels + Seth took us here for a night of fun; this Barcade has a bunch of pinball and retro arcade games with a bar full of local craft brews. Instant obsession. Chels + Seth found a new way to dominate Space Jam pinball, each being responsible for one flipper. Then Ryan set the new highscore on Rampage, so now he’s a local celebrity. NBD.

After we witnessed history, we got up early the next morning to visit the local farmers market. We wandered around the booths of beautiful flowers, and fresh grown vegetables for bit. This place was so alive.

Getting that 2:30 feeling a little early, we then went to the Weaver Street Market and grabbed a cup of coffee. We sat and told stories for a bit before continuing the picture thing. We love how happy these two are and how they constantly try to make the other laugh. Also, the coffee was amazing.

Carrboro and Chapel Hill are FULL of all these amazing textures. Everywhere you look is a cool brick wall or interesting alley. We were so inspired by it all! Chels had so much trouble keeping a straight face for ‘serious’ photos and we didn’t mind one bit.

This ampitheater is just off UNC’s campus and it was completely empty this Saturday afternoon. We had done a bit of googling before we arrived and Ryan found this place. Turns out Chels + Seth also run by here regularly. #PERFECT

So we busted out something a little different. The above photo has no photoshop done to it. We bought a crystal ball, about the size of a baseball. We aren’t trying to tell the future but instead, distort the present. Shooting through the glass sphere with a macro lens throws anything outside the sphere into complete bokeh blurriness (science term) while the inside of the sphere is crisp and reminiscent of a wide angle lens. We love the result, and I can guarantee this won’t be the last you’ll see of that technique.

^This^ is exactly how we feel about this whole session and having Chels + Seth be apart of our GP Family! You guys are absolutely incredible people and are inspiring to work with. We are so humbled that you chose us! Hurry up September! We can’t wait to see you guys again!