Sarah and Reid’s Nashville engagement session had the perfect mix of timeless architecture and a little downtown atmosphere. We started inside the Tennessee State Capitol, where the beautiful stone staircase and historic interiors gave us an elegant backdrop that felt classic without being overly formal.
The Capitol is one of my favorite kinds of locations for engagement photography because the architecture does so much of the work. The tall ceilings, dramatic staircases, and neutral stone allow the focus to stay on the couple while still giving the photographs a distinctive Nashville sense of place.
Engagement Photos Inside the Tennessee State Capitol
For Sarah and Reid, we spent much of our time around the Capitol’s interior staircase. The symmetry and sweeping lines of the stairs gave us opportunities for both wide architectural photographs and closer, more intimate portraits.
Rather than making the session feel like a long series of posed photographs, we mixed in movement, conversation, and quieter moments together. That combination is usually where some of my favorite engagement photographs come from—the images feel polished, but they still look like the couple themselves.
The historic interior also gave their session a very different feel from the outdoor parks and fields that are often associated with engagement photography. It was sophisticated, distinctly Nashville, and a beautiful setting for the two of them.
Drinks and Engagement Photos at the Hermitage Hotel
After leaving the Capitol, we headed over to the bar beneath the Hermitage Hotel for a completely different atmosphere.
Moving from the bright, grand architecture of the Capitol into a darker and more intimate bar setting gave Sarah and Reid’s gallery a lot of variety. The warm lighting, cocktails, and relaxed environment made this part of the session feel more like a date night than a photoshoot—which is exactly what I want an engagement session to feel like.
I love when couples choose two locations that contrast with one another. It gives them a gallery that feels much more complete while still telling one cohesive story about their time together.
Nashville Engagement Photography
Engagement sessions are a chance to create photographs together without the timeline and activity of a wedding day. They also give us time to get comfortable working together before the wedding, experiment with different locations, and make images that feel specific to the two of you.
If you’re planning an engagement session in Nashville, locations like the Tennessee State Capitol and the Hermitage Hotel can create a timeless, editorial look while still feeling connected to the city.
Sarah and Reid, I loved getting to photograph this season for you both and can’t wait for what’s ahead.
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