As an Atlanta, Georgia wedding photographer, midtown Atlanta is one of my favorite spots to photograph my clients engagement portraits.

Our Saturday with Mallory and Paul began that afternoon at their midtown apartment where Hillary, my amazing little sister, got Mallory all glammed up for the shoot! Spending a couple of hours with them before the shoot was a lot of fun and gave us another chance to get comfortable with each other.

“Getting my hair and makeup done professionally made me feel STUNNING & CONFIDENT! To any ladies out there planning their engagements, get your nails done, buy a new dress, get a facial. Do whatever it is that makes you feel beautiful. The process made me feel so pampered and beautiful, I have no regrets! ” – Mallory

Mallory and Paul decided to begin their session in the heart of midtown at Piedmont Park. The lush greenery is the best thing about summertime! 

The couple met at a frat house in August of 2015 while they were in college. She was a freshman and he was junior. After working up a little courage, she decided to go and talk to him. He was handsome, charming and made her feel oh-so very nervous! Hitting it off immediately, they became friends. Each fresh out of long-term relationships, they decided to remain just friends. For Mallory, the attraction grew and suddenly she realized she had fallen for her sweet friend, Paul. But Paul was keeping his distance. Frustrated, Mallory made the decision to let go of the idea of the two ever dating. As the story goes, at the precise moment when she had finally convinced herself to move on, Paul began falling for his beautiful friend, Mallory.

In November of 2017, Mallory got the surprise of a lifetime! She was in her final semester at Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi. Paul informed her that his family was planning to visit him in Atlanta for the weekend. Because Mallory lost her mother at a young age and had a father who wasn’t around much, a big family was something she always dreamed of having. She adored Paul’s big, loving family and there was no way she was missing an opportunity to spend the weekend with them! She jumped in her car that Thursday after class and headed for Georgia. 

That Saturday, Mallory and Paul headed out to run a few errands for his mom. Paul seeming a little nervous made Mallory laugh. She assumed he was just excited to have his family there and she didn’t think much else about it. As they returned to the house, they noticed everyone standing outside preparing for a family photo. They jumped out of the car feeling a little guilty they’d taken so long to run the errands. Mallory volunteered to take the picture for them. Everyone in the family held a sign with a letter on it, spelling out “Pelletier Family” – the families last name. Mallory noticed Paul wasn’t in the lineup of letters so she nudged him toward everyone, encouraging him to get in the picture. Paul, not having a letter to hold up, stayed where he was, standing right next to Mallory. Mallory, holding up her phone to take the photo called out to them, “Ok, 1 – 2- 3….” On 3, everyone flipped their letter, creating a sign that no longer said “Pelletier Family.”

Above photo from Mallory & Paul’s proposal

Above photo from Mallory & Paul’s proposal

Her hands fell to her sides as she looked over at Paul. When their eyes met, he dropped to his knee and asked if she would be his wife. Completely stunned and overwhelmed with emotion, she forgot to say yes! All she could say was “ARE YOU SERIOUS?!”

Of course, she said “YES!” 

Checking out the Atlanta skyline is a must when you’re at Piedmont Park!

It’s so easy to see the love they share for one another… 

Along with Piedmont Park, another staple of midtown, Atlanta is Peachtree Street.

We wandered down by The Fox Theatre for a little dancing on the street! It seemed fitting since earlier that day they were there to see The Book of Mormon.

Mallory and Paul were an absolute joy to get know and capture! Midtown, Atlanta made for a beautiful backdrop, from Piedmont to Peachtree Street, right up to sunset. I can’t wait to photograph their wedding next November in Atlanta.

A very special thank you to Hillary Lynn Beauty for hair and makeup and for assisting during the shoot!