Today we’re sharing Catherine Lee and Ned’s Can Can and Maymont engagement photos here in Richmond. We started at the famous Can Can Brasserie in Carytown and then heading over to Maymont Park and Maymont Mansion.

And honestly, starting an engagement session at a bar? We kind of love it. Catherine Lee and Ned wanted to start their session somewhere that felt like them, and what better place than Can Can!

Starting in Carytown – Can Can and Maymont engagement photos

Finding a bar with enough space to actually photograph an engagement session can be a little challenging. Especially after 5 PM. But Can Can Brasserie worked out really well. They reserved a table right by the windows, which gave us plenty of room to photograph them inside and also step outside for a few photos. They ordered what they called their “usuals,” which I thought was such a good way to start the session.

We did some photos sitting at their table with their drinks, and then moved over to the bar where they’d been sitting for a little while before we arrived. It felt very natural, and that’s exactly what we want when we’re photographing an engagement session.

Catherine Lee Knew Exactly What She Wanted

I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who is more on top of email responses than Catherine Lee. She knows what she wants, she communicates her thoughts, and honestly, she’s my kind of bride.

When we were getting ready to plan their engagement session, she sent us specific spots around Maymont Park that she liked, along with a few inspiration photos. And she did it exactly how we would want someone to do it. It was basically, “Here’s what I like, but we trust you to do your thing.”

So often when we’re planning an engagement session, we ask couples, “What are you thinking? Do you want us to take you around, or are there certain spots you really like?” We definitely did not have to pull that information out of Catherine Lee. She came ready with ideas, which made planning the session really easy.

From Carytown to Maymont Park

Can Can Brasserie is also really close to Maymont Park. So it made a lot of sense as a first stop before heading over for the rest of their engagement photos. And the timing was pretty perfect.

Now that we are in September, we can be in Maymont close enough to sunset. Which meant the light at Maymont was doing exactly what we wanted it to do. We’re entering that time of year when Maymont will soon start closing earlier, so there’s a pretty small window where you can actually take advantage of that evening light before the park closes. And for this particular evening, we had it!

And apparently, so did everyone else.

The Crowds – Can Can and Maymont engagement photos

One of the spots Catherine Lee had picked was the Italian Garden, and we knew we’d save that for the end. Because the Italian Garden is beautiful. It’s also one of those places at Maymont where a lot of people naturally end up. And when the weather is nice and the sun is dropping below the trees, there are plenty of people walking through, taking photos, hanging out, and enjoying the park.

So we worked our way around Maymont Park first, photographing in some of the quieter areas before making our way over there. This is one of the reasons we like having a little flexibility during engagement sessions. You don’t necessarily have to start at the spot you love the most. Sometimes it’s better to save it for later, when the light is right and you’ve already had a chance to warm up.

The Best Spot Was Actually the Quiet One

And as much as we loved the Italian Garden, I think our favorite spot was actually one where there wasn’t anybody around. To the right of Maymont Mansion, there’s this open field with trees along the edge. At this time of evening, the sun comes right through the trees, and you get the mansion tucked into the corner with all of this beautiful open space in front of the two of them.

The light was just incredible. It’s one of those spots where everything comes together without having to do much. You have Maymont Mansion, the trees, the evening sky, and a wide-open area around the couple. And the color was just magical.

Two People Who Were Very Easy to Photograph

Also, these two. They were so photogenic! Catherine Lee had warned us that Ned was going to be the more photogenic one. But I immediately told her I didn’t believe her.

I was right. They were both ridiculously easy to photograph! They knew how to work a camera, they interacted naturally, and we never had to spend much time explaining what to do.

And then we found out Catherine Lee did her own makeup. Her own makeup! She was talking about possibly doing it herself for the wedding, and normally I would be like, “No. Please have someone else do it.” Not because you can’t do your own makeup, but because on the morning of your wedding, we want you sitting back and relaxing. Let somebody else be in charge of it.

But with Catherine Lee, I looked at her and thought, “Yeah. That totally checks out.” Not to mention, her makeup looked stunning!

A Richmond Engagement Session That Felt Like Them

The thing we loved most about this session was that it felt like the two of them. Starting at a great spot in Carytown, grabbing drinks at Can Can Brasserie, and then heading over to Maymont Park gave us a lot of variety without making the session feel overly complicated.

They had ideas, they trusted us, and they were completely comfortable being themselves. That’s pretty much the ideal combination for an engagement session. And now we’re even more excited for their wedding at The Preserve at Dundee. It’s been a little while since we’ve photographed there, and knowing these two, we already know they’re going to make that place look incredible!

We had so much fun hanging out with these two, and we seriously cannot wait for their wedding day. For now, enjoy a few of our many favorites from Catherine Lee and Ned’s Can Can & Maymont engagement session here in Richmond!

Congrats, you guys!

We can’t wait for their wedding at The Preserve at Dundee! In the meantime, here’s an example of another wedding we shot there.