An Annapolis, Maryland engagement session was always a dream, but let’s back up a bit. Back in November, we were finalizing our re-brand, and wanted nothing more to go live with Davey & Krista in their home office in Maryland. There’s just something about working hands on with your designers for the finishing touches, and be there in person when the go-live button is clicked. We were hoping to live the first week of December, and in the mean time Rachel and Paul were working on finding a date and location for their own engagement session. When you live and work in California, you want nothing more than to have a location for your own session that’s different than you would shoot every day.

I remember the moment Rachel texted me, she’s been working with Amy & Jordan to see where travels would take them, since she dreamed of a destination engagement session. First thing she told me was they were coming to San Diego, which if you know California is still more than 8 hours south of us, but she wanted out of the golden state. A few days later anther text from Rachel saying they were going to Annapolis in December to shoot a wedding. This couldn’t have been more PERFECT! Not only are we IN LOVE with the east coast, but Amy & Jordan would be there the same week we wanted to be there to go live with our new site!

It was game time! Flights were booked before the hour was up and we were headed back to east coast, and visiting a state we had always dreamed about! As soon as the wheels hit the ground, we were on our way for an adventure of a lifetime. We spent the first few days in an adorable rental house in Washington DC exploring the city. Our days were spent visiting local historical landmarks, waving to Obama as we passed The White House, and nights spent dining on the waterfront, and best yet our first escape room. We had so much fun! The morning before we headed to Maryland, we had the opportunity to photograph an anniversary session for a very dear friend Abby Grace and her husband Matt. What a perfect DC ending!

As we arrived to Davey & Krista’s the excitement kept growing. Today was the day we had been waiting for for years, to be professionally branded, and show the world our brand new site. With a splash of nautical flare and a whole lot of coffee, the brand new Laura & Rachel made it’s debut. We toasted to an amazing journey, and we were off to Annapolis!

This quaint little town of Annapolis grabbed our heart from the moment we rolled in to town to the sounds of ship horns entering the marina. Anchors everywhere, mom and pop shops lining main street, and Naval soldiers running in formation. We new Annapolis had a Naval Academy, but we had no idea how much of a Navy town this was! Our home for the next few days was a third floor apartment on Main Street, high above an amazing smelling restaurant, that if the windows were left open, continually wafted the smell of delicious food which made us constantly hungry.

The day had finally arrived, Rachel and Paul’s engagement session day! We were totally excited but in a new town with photographers coming from Arizona, who didn’t know this town either. We were on the hunt to find the perfect locations. We walked cute streets, but hadn’t yet had the “aha” moment. I get the sweetest text from our friend Lauren Swann wanting to meet up while we were in town. We put our search on hold and headed to lunch at one of the best places we’ve ever eaten at, as Lauren states telling all these must-see places we must visit before we leave. Oh, and by the way, she’s an amazing photographer and had tons of ideal locations for Rachel and Paul’s session, but it was getting late. Rachel and Paul headed back to get ready, Lauren and I hit the city walking. She knew immediately where she had to show me first, The United States Naval Academy! We weaved though streets and back roads we would have never found on our own, and ended at the location of our dreams! I was so excited all I could do was want to rush back to Rachel and tell her we had hit the jackpot! Thank you Lauren!!!

We met Amy & Jordan in front of our new favorite restaurant, and I had on my walking shoes! I became a human clothing rack caring changes of clothes, bags, and what ever was needed for details and touch ups. I couldn’t stop smiling as I lead the entire group to the Naval Academy. I turned the corner, stopped, and said viola! Everyone gasped! It was beyond perfect! Now I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. It was an unbelievably amazing day, just from a mom’s perspective of standing in the back group, just watching. This was by baby’s day. She was absolutely stunning. Paul as hansom as I’d ever seen him in a new custom tailor suit. The rest is history. Amy & Jordan, we can’t thank you enough! An Annapolis, Maryland engagement was a dream come true! Enjoy!

Click HERE to view the entire session Amy & Jordan shared.