Aaron and Alexis' engagement session at Berry College last May was one of those sessions that just felt perfect in every way. They traveled up from Florida to Georgia for their photos because they wanted something that felt different from home - timeless, simple, and natural, with a mix of architecture and open landscapes. Once we landed on Berry College, it felt like the perfect fit. The campus has this understated beauty that doesn’t need anything extra; it’s classic, clean, and versatile, which makes it one of my favorite places to photograph couples in Georgia.
BERRY COLLEGE - MT. BERRY, GEORGIA
Berry College is such a unique spot for engagement photos because of how much variety it offers without feeling disjointed. The architecture around the Ford Buildings provides a classic, structured backdrop that feels editorial without being over the top. Then just a few steps away, you have open lawns, oak trees, mountain views, and water features that give the session a softer, more natural vibe. The campus has this perfect balance of elevated elegance and approachable, outdoor spaces, which means you can get a full gallery with different looks without ever leaving the same location. This location literally feels like you're stepping into somewhere in England! It STUNNING!
For Alexis and Aaron, the campus worked beautifully with their outfits and their personalities. We mainly shot around Mary Hall, Clara Hall, and Ford Hall/Gymnasium. The neutral stone and arches of the buildings created an elevated backdrop. After that, we moved into the open fields and near the reflective pools. The mountains in the distance added a sense of calm and expansiveness to the images, while the oak trees gave soft framing for more intimate moments. There’s something about the mix of structured architecture and natural spaces that just allows couples to feel comfortable and authentic in front of the camera.
Another reason I love Berry College is how seamless it is to create a gallery that feels cohesive even when moving between different types of backdrops. Within a short walk, we could go from the grand stone buildings to soft, open lawns, to the reflective pools, and everything still felt connected. It’s rare to find a location that offers that much versatility without feeling like you’re jumping between completely separate spots. The neutral tones of the buildings and the natural colors of the landscape complement each other so well, which means the gallery ends up feeling consistent and polished.
WHY ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS MATTER
Because this was the first time I had met Alex and Aaron in person, the session also served as a chance to get to know each other and build comfort before their wedding. Engagement sessions are more than just photos - they’re a way for couples to understand how I work, how to move, how to interact, and how natural everything will feel on the wedding day. By the end of the session, Alexis and Aaron were laughing, leaning into each other, and forgetting the camera entirely. That comfort translates so well into wedding day photos, and it makes a huge difference in how naturally a couple moves and interacts.
Aaron and Alexis got married in October 2025 in the mountains of North Carolina. It by far was one of the prettiest weddings I've ever shot. Make sure to subscribe to my blog so you can see their wedding. Their Berry College engagement session was the perfect introduction to their wedding story. It captured who they are as a couple, set the tone for how comfortable and natural they would be on their wedding day, and gave them beautiful images to look back on before their big day. I can’t wait to share more from their mountain wedding - it was the perfect continuation of everything we captured that spring evening at Berry College.
xoxo,
Jaiden
