I knew immediately that this session was going to be something special. When Hannah & Tanner mentioned wanting to include my yellow bike, which I will truly never say no to, my mind went straight to Fort Fisher and all the ways we could explore it together. I’ve photographed these two before, and every time feels less like a session and more like simply spending time with people I genuinely enjoy. Hannah has always loved photos, fully leaning into the experience, while Tanner is a bit more reluctant, though he’s always the first to admit he has the best time once we’re in it. I still find it funny how much he claims he doesn’t love getting his photo taken, yet never hesitates to say yes when it’s with me, especially knowing we already have another session planned for 2026.
Hannah & Tanner drove two hours from Raleigh to meet me, and I traveled even farther, something I’ll always happily do when it means making my way back to the coast. From the moment we arrived, the evening unfolded effortlessly. We wandered beneath the sprawling trees, swapped outfits, pedaled without a destination, and eventually ended up barefoot on the beach as the sun dipped low. We fed seagulls, ran straight through them laughing, and let the night stretch on without any expectations or limits. It was the sweetest evening, full of movement, connection, and the kind of joy that lingers long after the light fades.
I had been dreaming up this session in my mind for years. Bodie Island Lighthouse has always held a special place in my heart, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve imagined what it would feel like to shoot there, chasing light across the grounds, feeling the breeze off the coast, and capturing moments that feel completely alive. When Hailee & Anthony said they wanted to create this morning adventure with me, I was over the moon. They drove three hours to Nags Head to meet me at 6 a.m., arriving full of excitement and ready for whatever the morning held. We shot for a total of three hours, going wherever the wind blew us, with no expectations or limits. From the moment we arrived, the session unfolded like a dream, laughing, running, and exploring every corner of the lighthouse grounds. I had been imagining this session for years, and to finally take what was in my mind and see it come to life on the screen was truly amazing.
Hannah & Tanner’s Sunset Adventure on the Yellow Bike at
Fort Fisher, North Carolina
After wandering the lighthouse grounds, we made our way to the overlook and let the morning slow down. Hailee and Anthony sat together with books in hand, the ocean stretched wide in front of them. The air was calm, the light steady, and nothing felt rushed or planned. We stayed there longer than expected, flipping pages, talking softly, and letting the moment unfold on its own. It felt natural and real, like we were documenting something that already existed rather than creating it. Those quieter moments are always some of my favorites, the ones that feel honest, effortless, and lived in.
After we finished playing with the yellow bike, we wandered into the trees. Hannah and Tanner climbed in, sat on the branches, and had quiet conversations as we all relaxed into the evening. The air was calm and nothing felt rushed. We stayed there for a while, just hanging out and letting the moment happen naturally. Those quieter times are always some of my favorites, the ones that feel real and easy.
After that, we changed outfits and made our way to the beach, ready for the next part of the evening. We played with the seagulls, tossing food to get them to surround us and capture them in flight, their wings cutting through the golden light. We wandered along the water, letting the waves lap at our feet, and paused to sit together in the dunes, watching the sun slowly sink toward the horizon. The light shifted from warm gold to soft blues as it turned into blue hour, and everything felt effortless and natural. We laughed, wandered, and soaked it all in, letting the session unfold exactly as it wanted—playful, quiet, and full of little moments that made the evening feel completely alive.
After that, we walked down the long road that leads into the lighthouse. They did cartwheels, rode their longboards, spun, ran, and played, letting the morning unfold exactly as it wanted. The bugs ate us alive, laughter carried across the pavement, and the air was crisp as the light shifted softly over everything. After a million cartwheels, we finally decided we were done, exhausted from a morning full of adventure that felt exactly as I had imagined—wild, playful, and completely alive.
