Stella & Mike: at home on the farm in Frederick, Maryland

Mike and Stella had me come out to their family’s farm in western Maryland, in the haze and heat of a summer afternoon. The two of them will be married in the “party barn” on the property, and wanted to have their down-to-earth engagement session in the scenic, quirky, and homey spots all around.

A small collection of rusty sawblades only hints at the interesting (and highly organized) outdoor museum hidden in the woods there.

It’s so hard not to love photographing around sunset and wildflowers. The luxurious stems turn into a golden, disorganized beauty.

Stella’s skirt was such a funky pattern, I had trouble not fixating too much on it.

As with many couples, being in front of the camera is a new experience until you announce your love to the world. Towards the end of the session, they seemed to let out a breath of air and just slipped away into their own little world, drinking in the cooling summer air.

Congratulations, you two! May your wedding be filled with as much golden light and joy as our afternoon together.