A downtown affair


Getting to photograph important moments in people's lives is not something I ever take for granted, and it's extra special when the people in front of my camera are some of my best friends. Will and Colleen got engaged in December of 2022, and then Colleen went away for five months to live her dream - performing in a circus! We had five whole months to plan the perfect engagement photos, and this is what we settled on: vintage, romantic, editorial, "Mad Men" vibes. After what felt like an eternity, Colleen came home from her tour and we got to take the engagement photos of her dreams. Take a look at what we were able to capture!

A couple leans against a column and shares a kiss

We began our evening at the Customs House in downtown Charleston to capture the vintage, filmic vibe that we were going for.

A couple shares a kiss while dancing

Colleen looked every bit like a perfect bride-to-be, and Will cleaned up pretty nice (but don't tell him I said that!).

A couple wearing sunglasses walks across the Custom House in Charleston
A groom picks up his bride
A man is picking up a woman and twirling her

more than a feeling


During our planning process, Colleen told me she really wanted to FEEL the photos. She was in love with blurry/missed-focus photos as a part of the vintage vibe, and in fact, said "the blurrier the better" at one point - so we made it happen.

A blurry photo of a couple
A black and white photo of a man spinning a woman in a dress
A motion blur photo of a couple dancing
A black and white motion blur photo of a man twirling his fiance

changing views


After our time at the Customs House, we opted for a change of scenery and strolled down the streets of Charleston until we got to Waterfront Park. The tree-lined walkways were the perfect backdrop for these lovebirds.

A man and woman stroll down the streets of Charleston while the woman looks back over her shoulder
A couple shares a kiss in front of a vintage car
A man dramatically dipping his partner back at Waterfront Park in Charleston
The back of a man's head with a woman's hands on his neck showing off an engagement ring
A couple runs down a tree-lined path
A couple looks lovingly at each other
A couple shares a kiss at Waterfront Park in Charleston
A closeup of a woman in a white dress holding a handbag
A man kisses a woman on the forehead while she holds his lapel

sipping sunsets


At this point, we all needed a break... so it was time for a rooftop beverage at The Vendue to watch the sunset before we headed to take some final photos. Of course, I had to snap a few while we were up there, much to Will's dismay.

A couple holding their drinks out in front of them
A couple stands on the rooftop of The Venue at sunset

in a flash


I think these might be my favorite photos of the night, so this is where I'll leave you. Something about these flash photos taken inside various hotels and buildings around Charleston gives me all the nostalgic vibes, and I just love how they turned out. Will and Colleen have such a beautiful love, and I hope it comes across to you in these photos as much as it does for me. Cheers to the future Mr. & Mrs. Baehr!

A couple poses in an elevator as the doors close
A couple gets cozy inside an elevator in Charleston
A couple clinks their glasses together in black and white
A photo of a couple exiting a revolving door
A couple dances together lit by chandeliers
A couple dances with chandeliers behind them
A black and white photo of a woman leading a man up a spiral staircase
A man and a woman pose in an armchair
A man leads a woman down a spiral staircase