Some engagement sessions just feel like an experience from start to finish. Maggie and David’s summer session at Black Balsam Knob was exactly that. As an Asheville engagement photographer at Black Balsam Knob, I’m always encouraging couples to consider locations that feel meaningful and a little adventurous. This one definitely delivered.
We met in the late afternoon with hiking boots and a solid game plan to catch sunset at the top! The hike up is part of what makes these sessions so special. We have time to chat, get comfy, and let the nerves wear off before the camera really even comes out. By the time we reached the best parts of the trail, Maggie and David already felt like they were just on a date together, which is the sweet spot for engagement photos.
Summer at Black Balsam Knob (and tbh, the entire Blue Ridge Parkway) is so lush and alive. The grasses are tall and green, the wind is warm and breezy, and the views just keep opening up the higher you go. Even if you don’t go for a photoshoot, I can’t recommend this hike enough!
Sunset up there is alwaysss worth the effort. The light is a golden glow that feels almost surreal. Maggie’s skirt played the wind perfectly and she and David were so flirty and cute up on the mountain.
Sessions like this are a reminder that engagement photos don’t have to feel formal or staged. They can be an adventure. They can be a shared memory you actually look back on and say, “That was such a fun night.” If you’re drawn to wide open views, a little movement, and photos that feel relaxed and honest, working with an Asheville engagement photographer at Black Balsam Knob might be exactly what you’re looking for.
If a sunset hike and mountain-top portraits sound like your kind of story, I’d love to help you plan something similar. These sessions are especially beautiful in late spring through early fall.. and always worth the climb!



















































