Engaged

David + Melissa | Engaged

Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National

filed in:

I love our city! However, I feel like there are so many parts of it that I never get to explore and shoot in! All of that changed with this RVA shoot! Melissa and I had emailed months ago about this session and she knew what she wanted. She wanted an engagement session that represented who they were, what they loved and the CITY that they love! We started shooting downtown around the National. We were accompanied by Melissa’s Maid of Honor and Simba… their precious, super photogenic pup! The National is a big part of their life together. They love music so much that it’s going to be a BIG part of their wedding theme!!

After we documented the National we started walking down the next street over to find some of the infamous RVA Murals and oh did we find some! We turned the corner and found the most AMAZING mural… easily the prettiest mural in all of Richmond and it was in PERFECT light! For the photographer who loves COLOR, this mural was a dream come true!!

We ended our time together in Forest Hill park which used to be a location that they would frequent often. What I loved most about our time together is that I felt like I got to know these two in our two hours together! David and Melissa are adventurous, fun-loving and incredibly genuine. After their engagement session we hugged them goodbye and it was sad to think that we have to wait so long until we see them again! From beginning to end, it was an amazing shoot!! The locations, the colors, the light…. and the puppy. OH the puppy! This dog MAY just be more photogenic than our Bokeh boy!!!! :)

Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4571 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4572Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4574Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National. Ring Shot by Katelyn James Photography Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4573Urban Engagement Photos Featuring Downtown RVA Murals & The National by Katelyn James PhotographyUrban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4576

This WALL!!! ah! The artist is Jason Woodside and he does amazing work all over the country!

Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4577Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4578 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4579 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4580Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4581 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4582

These colors! Aren’t they the BEST!?

Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4583 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4584Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4585 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4586Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4588 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4587Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4590 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4591 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4592 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4593 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4594We passed by this little area outside of what looked like a convention center…. I’m not really sure… and I saw the light….literally. You see, they are standing in an oversized, elevated, ivy-invested flowerbed of sorts and most people would have walked right by this spot. Right in front of them is a brick ledge that they had to climb up on in order to get into this spot but you know what, I don’t regret asking them to do it and I highly doubt that they do either! I NEVER regret stopping couples when I see something creative. Never. I ALWAYS regret it when I don’t! Photographers… it’s worth it to give your ideas a shot. Don’t worry about being annoying… your clients want you to be creative and find patches of light that make downtown RVA look like Narnia! :)Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4595 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4596 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4597 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4598 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4599 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4600

Omg, look how cute they are! They thought of EVERYTHING!

Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4601 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4602

perfect pup!

Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4603 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4604 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4605 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4606 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4607 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4608

I love this!

Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4609Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4611

Please look closely… they’re holding hands! David and Simba that is. :)

Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4610Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4613 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4612Urban Engagement Photos of CNU Couple Featuring Downtown RVA Murals, a Picnic at the Park  & The National by Katelyn James Photography Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4615Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4617 Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4616Urban Engagement Photos Featuring Downtown RVA Murals & The National by Katelyn James Photography Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4618Urban Engagement Photos Featuring RVA Murals & The National_4620

To view other recent engagement shoots, click HERE!

Photographers : To learn how to start an engagement session, click HERE!

Photographers : To learn more about our most FAQs, click HERE!

Thanks for reading!

— Katelyn

Podcast Art Marriage

54 | How to Talk with Your Spouse About Your Vision with Julia Woods

Have you ever tried to sit down with your spouse to talk about dreams, goals, and vision—only for it to turn into frustration or misalignment? If so, you’re not alone. Vision casting in marriage is hard because it brings up deeper fears, beliefs, and unspoken dynamics that many couples don’t even realize are at play.

READ MORE
The Doing Life Differently Podcast

Success—it’s a word we hear all the time. But what does it really mean? Is it about financial security? Status? Owning a dream home or taking extravagant vacations?

FAITH AND FAMILY PODCAST BLOG
READ MORE

53 | How We’re Redefining Success for Our Family Teaching our kids a different way

The Doing Life Differently Podcast
FAITH AND FAMILY PODCAST BLOG

52 | Viewing Your Business as a Ministry Opportunity and not just a business!

When you think about your business, do you see it as simply a job—or something more? 

READ MORE
The Doing Life Differently Podcast
DLD WELLNESS

51 | The Unexpected Gifts of a Digital Detox It didn't go as planned!

Today, I’m diving into an experience that was nothing like I anticipated: my digital detox in December. If you’ve ever considered taking a break from the noise of the online world, you might relate to my journey—the good, the surprising, and the, well, completely unplanned.

READ MORE
The Doing Life Differently Podcast

The wedding industry has faced unique challenges recently, with inflation affecting budgets and couples cutting costs. If you’re a wedding photographer feeling the pinch, don’t worry—2025 doesn’t have to be a slow year.

book more weddings in 2025
READ MORE

How to Book More Weddings in 2025 5 practical tips to do today

Youtube
DLD WELLNESS

50 | What Alpha Gal Taught Me About Healing & Living Fully

Life has a way of surprising us, doesn’t it? Over the last few months, I’ve been on a medical rollercoaster that I never saw coming.

READ MORE
The Doing Life Differently Podcast

READER FAVORITES

"Best money I have EVER spent on education! ... and I've spent a lot!”

- Kara Abbey, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I love all the lessons I'm learning from KJ All Access! Thanks Katelyn!”

- Shannon Drummond, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"I find very few educational resources worth it ... this one is!”

- Kate gansneder, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Being able to see behind-the-scenes of Katelyn interacting with her clients has been SO impactful!”

- Angie mcpherson, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"Recently signed up for KJ All Access and it's EVERYTHING!”

- Kassidy Mowery, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER

"SO worth it! It's amazing the amount of knowledge you get out of them!”

- Brittany Lowe, ALl ACCESS MEMBER

"I learned just as much in one All Access as I did in a whole course! SO GOOD!"

- Joanna Krueger, ALL-ACCESS MEMBER
10 Steps to Starting Your Photography Business
Helping a friend survive a season of Infant Loss
How to photograph a first look in Harsh Light
OUR KJ COUPLES REUNION
A Lake Como Destination Wedding - Greg and Kate
A Letter to the Go-Getters fearful of Motherhood

The KJ blog
must-reads

The KJ Blog is where you get to know me, where you meet our KJ Couples and see their beautiful wedding days, where I have been building an archive of education for over a decade and where I let you see a peek into our life, our home, and hear about our purpose! 
don't miss the
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ
Arrow KJ

YOUTUBE

Join 100,000+ others and learn, grow and get connected via our Youtube Channel! This is where I'm constantly sharing new content, talking all things gear, business, tips, tricks and letting you into the behind-the-scenes of our everyday life! 
MORE FREE EDUCATION + CUTE BABIES ON
WATCH NOW

The KJ Learning roadmap

If you're a visual learner, this real-life, behind the scenes training was created just for you!

Create clients who can't help but rave about how you made them feel in front of your camera!

A 4-step educational preset process that will make Lightroom seem like a friend instead of a constant frustation.

The only thing you'll need as a beginner to kick start your photography journey.

The most popular, most transformational KJ Course of them all! Learn how to find great light in any location no matter how challenging!

The course that teaches photographers how to master Lightroom, find their unique style and trasnform their workflow!

Not only can artificial intelligence edit your images in minutes, it can now edit your work exactly the way KJ would if I was editing it myself!

Create polished, scroll-stopping images!  If you’re tired of “normal” and are ready to access the “Next Level”, this course was designed for you! 

"I have invested in all of KJ’s education!

The way she teaches makes so much sense and I’m so grateful for her! My business will be forever changed!"

- Renee Nicolo

"KJ education has been life-changing

 It has elevated my work so I could quit my day job and work from home with our baby boy!"

- joanna k.

"I'VE INVESTED IN SO MANY RESOURCES... 

and none compare to what I get from KJ!"

- LAUREN M.