a man and woman stand in a kitchen and snuggle

At Home Engagement Session in West Virginia | Lauren + Ryan

March 2, 2022

Rachael Schoellen

This at home engagement session in West Virginia with Lauren and Ryan was a dang dream. Since the engagement session was scheduled for February, we knew we wanted to be inside as much as possible, so we started out at The Roundhouse in Martinsburg, WV (check out their location here) but quickly made our way to the warmth of Lauren’s parents’ kitchen. Now, if you know me at all, at home sessions are my JAM. I love the intimacy a familiar space lends to a session. The days and hours we spend at home tend to run together, and it becomes so easy to forget the significance of every day moments. At home sessions feel like we’re giving proper weight to those moments, truly capturing that moment in time for exactly what it is.

I met Lauren last year at the wedding of one of her oldest friends (check out their gallery here). Lauren was a bridesmaid and I was so excited when I received an email from her earlier saying that she and her fiance Ryan wanted me to photograph their wedding. I remembered how sweet and fun-loving she was and didn’t hesitate to say a resounding yes.

Lauren and Ryan are both lawyers and wanted their at home engagement session to capture the fun they have together, as well as their excitement about being engaged. Now, from editing thousands of photos from the wedding reception we all attended last year, I knew that these two knew how to have a good time. No stuffy lawyer shit – these two are down for some fun, so that’s what we had. Even though I forgot my bluetooth speaker (whoopsie!), we turned up their favorite playlist and proceeded to run around, make a mess, and create some magic together.

Lauren and Ryan, I’m so pumped for your wedding and am starting a new workout regimen to prepare for all the dancing I’m gonna do.

Here are some of my favorite photos from Lauren and Ryan’s at home engagement session in West Virginia.