There is something special about an engagement session.
Not because of the photos themselves, but because it marks the beginning of such an exciting season. The planning, the anticipation, the countdown to the wedding day—it all starts to feel real. For me, engagement sessions are where I get to know my couples beyond emails and questionnaires. It’s where we begin building trust, creating memories, and documenting the chapter before they become husband and wife.
Skye and Lincoln’s engagement session at The Town of Lost Rabbit in Madison, Mississippi was exactly that.
From the moment they arrived, they were completely themselves—easygoing, playful, and effortlessly connected. Whether they were wrapped up in each other’s arms, running barefoot along the lakeside, or sitting together on the dock watching the sun dip lower in the sky, every moment felt genuine.
And honestly, I cannot wait for their November wedding.
The Importance of Planning Your Engagement Session
One thing I always tell my couples is that a great engagement session starts long before session day.
A huge part of preparing is talking through outfits. Having couples send me photos of what they’re planning to wear is incredibly helpful because it allows me to choose locations, lighting, and even editing styles that complement their overall look and vision.
Skye absolutely nailed her outfit choices.
The soft white dress moved beautifully in the breeze and felt perfectly at home against the waterfront setting of Lost Rabbit. Combined with Lincoln’s neutral tones, everything felt timeless, relaxed, and romantic.
Just as important as outfits is inspiration.
I always encourage my couples to send me images they love before their session—not because I want to recreate or copy someone else’s work, but because those images tell me something about what speaks to them. They give me insight into their style, the emotions they’re drawn to, and the feeling they want their images to have.
Those inspiration images become less of a shot list and more of a roadmap.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone
When Skye sent over her inspiration, I immediately noticed she was drawn to images with a softer, film-inspired feel.
Anyone who knows my work knows I tend to lean toward clean, timeless edits, but I loved the challenge of stepping outside my typical style and experimenting a little. These images felt like the perfect opportunity to embrace a more filmy, nostalgic look while still staying true to the connection and emotion that matter most to me.
And honestly?
It was so much fun.
The warm tones, soft contrast, movement, and dreamy light fit their session perfectly and helped tell their story in a way that felt uniquely theirs.
Better Together
I also brought my girl, Gabby Walker of Gabby Walker Photography, along for the evening.
At this point, I’ve learned that whenever Gabby and I work together, magic happens. Our styles are different enough to bring fresh perspectives, but similar enough that everything flows naturally. We bounce ideas off one another, encourage creativity, and somehow always leave a session inspired.
As usual, her eye combined with mine just worked.
Counting Down to November
As beautiful as these images are, my favorite thing about this session wasn’t the location, the outfits, or even the golden light.
It was getting to watch Skye and Lincoln simply enjoy being together.
The laughter, the quiet moments, the way Lincoln looks at Skye, and the way she lights up when she’s around him made documenting their story effortless.
If their engagement session is any indication of what’s to come, their November wedding is going to be something truly special.
Skye and Lincoln, thank you for trusting me, sharing your vision, and allowing me the freedom to create. I loved every minute of this session, and I cannot wait to celebrate alongside you this fall.
Amy Beckley Photography is a Mississippi Wedding Photographer serving couples throughout Madison, Jackson, Brandon, and Central Mississippi, capturing timeless wedding days, engagement sessions, and meaningful moments with a natural and connection-focused approach. If you’re recently engaged and planning your wedding, I’d love to tell your story. 💙
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