Emily and Ryan moved to Columbia, SC last July, about a month after they got engaged!  They said the heat is pretty intense (Columbia isn’t known as “Famously Hot” for nothing), but they are loving their lives here in the Palmetto State.  Emily and Ryan love the many water activities we have in South Carolina, and wanted to incorporate that into their engagement session, so we headed down to the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park to enjoy the gorgeous Congaree River views near sunset.

The old water plant from 1820 serves as a great piece of SC history, and makes a great backdrop with its huge red door and brick walkways and steps. The Congaree River right behind the water plant was just gorgeous, reflecting the early evening sunlight in Emily and Ryan’s session.

I’m so glad these two were game to sit in the grass next to the riverfront, and pose for a few shots that really show off that beautiful engagement ring!

I just love Emily’s big brown eyes! So beautiful!

There was a LOT of silliness and laughter during Emily and Ryan’s session! The two of them make some really hilarious faces, and luckily, they laughed at all of my corny jokes. As you can see in some of the photos below, we had quite an audience down at Riverfront Park, but Emily and Ryan got comfortable and began to just act like there was no one else in the world around.

This late evening light is just amazing, and it’s totally worth scheduling a session straight through dinner time, and letting the sun set while I capture this kind of authentic love and fabulous golden hour!

I was SO HAPPY when I found a few Crape Myrtles that had Spanish moss dangling from their branches. That low country look is amazing, and the way the Spanish moss filters sunlight looks like strands of gold to me!

Emily and Ryan, thank you so much for being such troopers during your VERY hot and humid engagement session! I am so glad you guys are enjoying the South, and I can’t wait for your Adam’s Pond wedding next Spring!