I brought cellophane to a photoshoot and created the dreamiest engagement photos at Duke Gardens all with a piece of plastic.

Hi there! If you're new here, my name is Hunter and I'm a portrait photographer and graphic designer based in Raleigh, NC.

Recently, I had the most amazing engagement session with David and Nyla at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. Nyla reached out with a beautiful mood board that featured cinematic, dreamy, and emotionally packed images. I was so ecstatic when we discussed her vision for the session because these are the types of photos I get the most excited for. I hate static, forced poses. Don't get me wrong, everyone will get clear, sharp images in their gallery. But I just really love photos that capture a raw emotion.

After Nyla explained her vision to me, I suggested we shoot at Duke Gardens. If you're not familiar, Duke Gardens is a stunning botanical garden located in Durham, NC. There is a great variety of options for places photograph within the gardens with plenty of flowers to create that whimsical setting we were going for.

I like to get my couples started with action prompts, meaning they are moving to create natural motion. This helps to get everyone warmed up and comfortable in front of the camera while also getting some of what I call "planned-dids" (like candids... but their planned.) To create more atmosphere in-camera, I brought a piece of cellophane with me and wrapped it around my lens. The more you crinkle it up, the more it will refract light, creating lots of lens flares and glowy texture on the skin.

I'm so happy with the results and I can't wait to capture more love at Duke Gardens!

xoxo-

Your Photographer,

Hunter Pham