This story behind these Outer Banks engagement photos is so unique. I was in the Outer Banks with my family for a quick summer vacation. We spent our Sunday morning on the beach. While we were enjoying our time on the quiet beach, I saw Erika and Luke enter the beach dressed adorably with a cell phone and tripod. From the start I was thinking, “Are they about to take their own engagement photos with an iPhone & tripod?” Both my husband and brother-in-law walked over to me, saying, “Do you see that? Are they going to take their own photos?” They know me so well. I am 100% not the type of person to see someone struggle when I have the skill set to help.

I looked at my husband and he immediately offered to grab my photography gear from the house. As he ran home, I approached the couple. I introduced myself and told them I was a professional wedding photographer. With no hesitation, Luke handed over his cell phone and I went to work, in the 5 minutes it took my husband to grab my gear, I gave this couple a full mini portrait session on their cell phone! Then the fun really happened. I pulled out my Nikon and started snapping away for a full out oceanfront engagement session for them.

I felt so amazing to be able to help a complete stranger that morning and expect absolutely nothing in return. After we finished the portraits (all in less than 30 minutes) we started to chatting. That’s when I found out Erika & I shared a NAME! It really is crazy to come across other Ericas in the wild! Then we figured out we really don’t live all that far from each other. They are currently living in Northern Virginia where I spend 50% of my weekends each year! It really is just such a small world.

Several months later Erika reached out to me again, saying, “This is Erika (the one you were kind enough to take engagement photos of in OBX). Our save the dates came in from the photo session, and we love them so much! I wanted to check and see if you ever did jobs outside of your local area of work, as we would love to have you photograph our wedding next September. It is at least a five-hour commute to the Lancaster, PA area. Let me know if this is something you’d be able to do and I’d be happy to share more details!”

This brings us to today, just a few short weeks away from their Pennsylvania wedding day! Before I leave, I wanted to share my favorites from Erika & Luke’s impromptu Outer Banks engagement photos session with you.