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Ahead of Vance and Hailey’s spring wedding in 2026, we scheduled their engagement session for mid September around Birmingham, Alabama. When they told me they wanted their engagement photos to feel elegant and timeless—basically a preview of their April 2026 wedding at Stonewood Farms—I immediately thought of South Highland Presbyterian Church and Crest Road!

Starting at South Highland Presbyterian Church in Birmingham

There’s something about the Gothic Revival architecture at South Highland Presbyterian Church that just works for couples who appreciate classic, luxurious details. The stone facade, the arched doorways, the whole vibe—it’s Birmingham elegance at its finest. For Vance and Hailey’s engagement session, it was the perfect backdrop to kick things off.

Fun fact: Hailey had just come from her wedding hair and makeup trial, so we’re out here getting essentially a sneak peek of how stunning she’s going to look on her actual wedding day at Stonewood Farms! Her makeup artist absolutely nailed it, and photographing her all done up for the engagement session felt like a little preview of next April.

The Weather Cooperated For Us

September in Alabama can be a gamble, but we hit the jackpot. The weather was absolutely gorgeous—not too hot, golden light everywhere, just one of those perfect evenings that reminds you why you live here. As a Birmingham engagement photographer, I’ve learned to never take good weather for granted, and this session was proof that sometimes the stars align.

Getting to Know the Future Duttons

One of my favorite things about engagement sessions? I get to hear all about the wedding plans. And Vance and Hailey were so fun to talk to about their Stonewood Farms wedding!

This is genuinely what I love about how I work with couples. It’s not just “show up, smile, click click, see you at the wedding.” I want to know you. I want to understand what you’re excited about, what details matter most, what makes your relationship unique. Because when your wedding day comes around, I’m not just some person with a camera—I’m someone who gets it, who’s been thinking about your day almost as much as you have.

Moving Over to Crest Road for Round Two

After we wrapped at South Highland Presbyterian Church, we headed to Crest Road. If you’ve never been, Crest Road in Birmingham has beautiful trees, classic homes, and just a totally different energy than the church. More intimate, more natural, but still elegant in its own way.

Golden hour on Crest Road is chef’s kiss. The light coming through those trees created the most romantic glow around Vance and Hailey, and we got some of those softer, quieter moments that balance out the more formal church shots. This is why I love shooting at multiple locations—you get different sides of who you are as a couple, and it keeps things interesting.

Why Two Locations is Always a Good Call

Mixing South Highland Presbyterian Church with Crest Road gave us such good variety! The traditional, luxurious church vibes plus the softer, more organic Crest Road aesthetic meant Vance and Hailey walked away with a full gallery that actually represents different aspects of their style. You’ll use these photos for save-the-dates, your wedding website, prints for the guest book—having options is never a bad thing!

Already Counting Down to Stonewood Farms

Walking away from this session, I’m already so excited for Vance and Hailey’s wedding at Stonewood Farms next April. If you know Stonewood Farms in Tuscaloosa, you know it’s the kind of elegant, luxurious venue that’s going to be absolutely perfect for the traditional celebration they’re planning. And because we’ve already built this relationship and I know their vision, their wedding day photos are going to be that much more personal.

Let’s Talk About Your Birmingham Engagement Session

If you’re planning a wedding at Stonewood Farms, The Club, Mountain Brook Church, or anywhere else in the Birmingham or Tuscaloosa area, I’d genuinely love to chat about your engagement photos! Whether you’re drawn to the classic architecture of South Highland Presbyterian Church, the tree-lined charm of Crest Road, or somewhere else entirely, I’m all about finding locations that actually fit your style! That’s how you end up with photos that feel like you.

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Ready to plan your engagement session? Let’s find the perfect Birmingham locations and create something beautiful. Get in touch and let’s talk about your vision.