Waterfront Engagement at Trump National Charlotte
Film & Digital Charlotte Wedding Photographer Michael Parks
Engagement Photos at Lakefront Lake Norman and Trump National Golf Club
Some engagement sessions feel especially personal because they take place in locations that already meaning in a couple’s story. We photographed this engagement at the mother of the bride’s family home on Lake Norman and Trump National Golf Club Charlotte in Mooresville, NC, where they’ll be marry later this year. From the beginning, this session was relaxed and authentically them. These two cannot wait to marry each other, and that excitement naturally shined through in each engagement picture.
Starting at Home on Lake Norman
We began at home on on Lake Norman, and it was the perfect place to ease into making pictures and getting to know each other. The waterfront setting gave us a beautiful variety for engagement portraits: natural light off the lake, dockside moments, and cozy spaces. The couple brought their sweet labrador retriever. Including your dog that is a big part of your everyday life together in engagement photos is a fun way to make the session feel even more personal. Their dog added so much warmth, and of course, playful, funny moments.
Pro tip: If you’re including your dog in your engagement session, do a portion with your dog and a portion without your dog to get a mix of portraits to choose from—some that include your furry family member, and some that are more focused just on the two of you.
Engagement Portraits at Trump National Charlotte Golf Club
After the lake house, we headed to Trump National Charlotte, where the couple will get married this year. Photographing part of the engagement session at the same venue where they’ll soon say “I do” added to the excitement they already had for the wedding ahead. Nestled along the shore of Lake Norman, Trump National offers an elegant setting, with a manicured golf course, classic architecture, and waterfront views. It was the perfect complement to the relaxed feel of the family home.
A Blend of Digital and Film Photography
I photographed with a mixture of digital and film cameras, which is my favorite way to document a couple’s story. Blending mediums provides versatility and timelessness. For film, I used Kodak Portra 400 — my go-to film stock for engagement and weddings for soft contrast, true-to-life colors, and tight grain. There’s a depth and nostalgia in film, while digital allows moving quickly and capturing all candid interactions as they unfold.
Planning Your Engagement Session
What made this engagement session memorable was more than beautiful scenery; it was the way every part of the session reflected who these two are.
A family home.
Their future wedding venue.
Their dog.
These elements helped make an engagement session that truly felt like their story, and transform simply beautiful photos into heirloom images. If you’re planning a wedding around Charlotte and want pictures that feel personal, and artfully documented, I’d hoe you’ll reach out me.