Richmond Engagement Photographer | Canal Walk + Brown's Island

Richmond Engagement Photos | Colleen + Derrick

Brown’s Island Engagement Photos with Dogs

Colleen and Derrick brought along their two pups, Blanche and Charlotte, for their Richmond engagement session on the Canal Walk and Brown’s Island, and when you see the pics, you’ll think they hired doggie models!

Their whole dating history had been a fun tour of all things Richmond, so when Derrick planned his proposal he took Colleen on a trip down memory lane.

The two had shared their very first kiss in front of the Byrd Theatre a few years back while wearing tacky Christmas sweaters. So this past December, Derrick told Colleen they had dinner reservations in Carytown, but didn’t share where. As they walked past the Byrd, he slyly suggested they check out the other side of the marquee to ‘see what movies were playing the next day.’

As Colleen looked up she saw that the marquee read, ‘Will you marry me?’ Derrick dropped to one knee and Colleen said she happy cried uncontrollably! (And said, ‘Yes!’ obviously!)

He also arranged for dinner at the Stables afterward, and a surprise engagement party at The Answer for 25 of their closest friends and family so they could share the news in person.

I first met Derrick and Colleen when he was a groomsman at another MAP Couple’s wedding in Sandbridge last fall. I was so happy when they reached out after they were engaged to ask if I’d shoot their wedding this winter!

As with a lot of weddings during this crazy season, they’ve made some changes to their original plans. They’ll be eloping this fall and embarking on a thoughtful ‘wedding road tour’ over the holidays to social distance visit family and friends in different states who won’t be able to travel to their celebration in Richmond. And then they’ll have a smaller celebration at The Hof this January!

The couple decided to get married at Historic Hofheimer Building because it’s in Scott’s Addition where they had their first date! The two actually spent their first New Year’s Eve together at the Hof!

It was an absolute pleasure spending time with these two during their engagement session with their dogs at The Canal Walk and Brown’s Island. It was another scorcher of a day with lots of walking to the different locations. Colleen did it all in heels and Derrick wore what had to be a hot jacket, and I think their suffering paid off—ha! They look great, and I think it’s cool that this RVA-loving couple had such a beautiful Richmond engagement session!

Here are a few of my favorite images from their Richmond engagement session!