Zachary & Georgia’s At-Home Engagement Shoot Proved That Chill Wins Every Time

It doesn’t take a Pinterest board or a mountain view to tell a real story.
Sometimes all you need is a couch, some sushi, a freezing backyard, and two people madly in love.

That’s exactly how Zachary and Georgia’s engagement session unfolded in O’Fallon, Illinois — no stress, no pressure, just them being exactly who they are, in a place that felt like home (because, well, it was).

Tthese kinds of sessions are my bread and butter. The ones where you can forget the stiff poses and just lean into the chaos and comfort of everyday life. This shoot? 10/10 on that scale.

Look at that rawwwwwwk

We shot at Zack’s parents’ place in O’Fallon, IL, where I was greeted with warmth, smiles, and—possibly the best part—a meatloaf sandwich with enough horseradish to quickly add some hair to your chest. A strong start.

Before we even picked up a camera, we set the mood with some Chris Stapleton and The Steel Drivers playing in the background. It’s crazy what a couple of tunes will do to a photoshoot. It’s so much easier to get into a flow and it’s why I always ask my couples what they’ve been jamming to recently. It’s cliche to say that “I listen to a little bit of everything”, but I think it rings especially true for me. I will (and have) jammed to everything from John Denver to Knocked Loose with my couples and I love seeing where their tastes take us.

We kicked things off in the living room, aka the sacred couch space. This is where Zachary and Georgia spend most of their downtime, so it felt like the most honest place to begin.

Pro move (or not): I stood on their coffee table to get that overhead shot and very nearly became a cautionary tale for photographers everywhere. Thankfully, I didn’t eat shit—just some wobbly balancing and a few blurry photos. Thankfully I am insured lmfao.

Also worth noting: the family cat decided to pop into frame now and then. I think he’s waiting for his own gallery delivery. His time will come.

Next, we moved into the kitchen where things got cozy real quick. One of their favorite date night activities is making (and devouring) sushi together, so we let that be the vibe.

No fake setups. No awkward posing. Just real interactions—laughing, sharing bites, sneaking kisses, and moving around like no one was watching. This is the kind of stuff that actually matters when you look back on your engagement photos years later.

It felt less like work and more like documenting a moment in time they’re already living. My favorite kind of photography.

Getting to eat some of the sushi was also a plus. Thanks Georgia <3

Did I mention it was absolutely freezing that day? Because yeah—frigid.

Still, we weren’t going to pass up the backyard, even if our fingers were turning colors. We hustled, we posed (casually), and we got what we needed in under 10 minutes.

And honestly? Some of the most connected, beautiful moments happened out there—wrapped up in jackets, cuddling for warmth, and not giving a single care about the weather. Just being present.

Thinking About Doing an At-Home Engagement Shoot?

You don’t need perfect light, a sprawling view, or a Pinterest dream board. You just need each other.

Zachary and Georgia didn’t need a dramatic location or fancy wardrobe changes. They just needed to be in their element. Comfortable. Seen. Together.

These at-home engagement sessions have a special kind of intimacy that’s impossible to replicate anywhere else. You can almost feel the comfort in the photos. That’s the goal every time—less stress, more story.

Let’s hang, hit play on your favorite playlist, and tell your story—exactly how it is.

📍 Based in St. Louis & always down for a road trip
📷 Specializing in wedding, video, and engagement sessions that feel real
🍻 Bonus points if beer or pets are involved

• What should we wear for an at-home engagement shoot?

  I literally do not care. Stick with what makes you feel like you. Comfy clothes > matching outfits. Layers and textures photograph great! That said, it totally depends on the two of you. Some couples love to dress up for the occasion. Once you have an idea of the vibe you want to show I am more than happy to provide advice on colors that go together, layers and textures that pop, etc.

• Can we include pets in our engagement photos?

  1000% yes. Please. Cats, dogs, lizards, fish, etc. let me pet your little fella.

• How long does an at-home shoot take?

  This one took about an hour and a half. Long enough to relax, short enough to stay fun.

• Do you travel outside of St. Louis, Missouri?

  All the time! I’m based in STL but always open to travel for rad couples and cool stories.