While planning their vacation from Rhode Island to Madison, Georgia’s Southern Cross Ranch, Ida and Matt, recently engaged, knew they wanted to have portraits created with horses. Ida had been an avid equestrian for quite some time and Matt was beginning to take part in her passion. It had only made sense to have engagement portraits created while enjoying their trip to the south. 

Ida wanted her engagement portraits to be more interesting than simply standing in a location. She wanted it to be an experience to remember especially because she hadn’t had professional portraits created in the past. Our goal was to capture the true emotion behind their relationship without feeling stiff or posed and Ida very fondly recalls how the experience stayed relaxed and comfortable.

While planning the color scheme and wardrobe for the happy couple, we wanted them to stand out against the beautiful Georgia backdrop as well as their loving ranch horse provided by Southern Cross Ranch. Ida modeled a subtle green dress with a high low skirt and ruffles followed by a blue keyhole backed dress for the perfect mixture of texture finished with a simple handkerchief braided into her hair. Matt complimented her wardrobe with a simple button up dress shirt, a green jacket for layers and jeans. Ida recalls the original outfits she and Matt planned to wear and believes their portraits would not have turned out as well on the wall had they gone with their first idea. 

While getting to know Ida and Matt, they shared the beautiful story of how they had met. While both were active in a Rhode Island swim group in the ocean, they had not crossed paths until they matched on the dating site, Hinge. While enjoying their first date at Aleppo Sweets, a Syrian Bakery and Café, they found they had many interests and circles in common and the rest is history. Now happily married, Ida and Matt enjoy sharing an active life filled with hiking, swimming and now horseback riding as Matt has started taking lessons. This beautiful bond they share came out throughout their portraits the entire time, while Ida is often camera shy, Matt made the environment seem as if it were just the two of them enjoying a walk through the meadow. 

Matt and Ida enjoy reminiscing on their trip to Southern Cross Ranch by displaying their collection of three metal wall pieces in their home as well as a few tabletop prints which they displayed at their wedding guest table. We made the process of selecting wall art simple and true to their personal style and taste to ensure everything tied in perfectly within their home. When Ida thinks back to her engagement portraits on the ranch, she remembers how much they had loved walking the property and enjoying time with one another and of course, a perfect ranch horse. 

“I loved how personable Charlotte is, she doesn’t make it seem like a business, she makes it feel personal and friendly. The portraits feel like an entire experience and I loved that she called us a couple times before to touch base on the shoot and create wardrobe, it was very organized. Charlotte takes great care of the horses she is photographing, she spent a good part of the day prepping the horse for portraits and you can tell she has a really good heart for the horses.”

-Ida & Matt

Are you recently engaged and looking to have one of a kind portraits created with your fiancé? Head HERE to schedule a consultation and begin the unforgettable portraits experience of a lifetime!