05.12.23

One year into a wedding can mark the beginning of many moments to cherish, but what better way to celebrate love than through an anniversary photo session? I might be biased, though.

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary had been on Suzy and Pete’s radar for awhile before the universe decided to play nice and finally work out for us to shoot there. They’d fallen in love with the wild landscape, imagining the meaningful and romantic moments they might capture in the densely forested grounds. Who am I to say no to wooded romance, especially with a couple I love working with?

Located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary is a nature lover’s paradise. The 1,700-acre sanctuary offers a range of landscapes and scenery, including mature hardwood forests and tidal wetlands. My mind teemed with possibilities.

Choosing from open water, wetlands, upland forest, forested riparian areas, and fields, it was an overabundance of natural beauty to choose the perfect spot for photos. But somehow, we managed it.

We walked along the boardwalks, crossed bridges over creeks, and trekked through meadows. Every step offered a new perspective on the sanctuary’s natural beauty. We especially loved the views of the Patuxent River, where we could watch boats sailing and birds diving for fish.

Ambling through the sanctuary, we felt like we were in a different world. The trees were tall and green, and the waterways burbled and trickled lazily, there was no of the ‘get-up-and-go’ of the outside world. It made out photoshoot almost reverent, carefully picking our way through the growth.

Suzy and Pete are naturals in front of the camera and they make it easy to capture their candid love against the stunning backdrop of the wetlands. The sanctuary’s tall grasses, wildflowers, and water reflections made their formal wear look so striking, especially as the afternoon wore down and the light went from soft and dreamy to midnight forest. I don’t know if I’ve ever love a lantern moment more.

It was the perfect escape from the concrete jungle of our everyday lives, and a reminder of the beauty and resilience of nature. I can always use more reminders like that.

And this is how it turned out.