Some sessions feel like catching up with old friends, even when you’ve just met, and that was Madison and Liam from the very first hello. We spent a golden evening last May wandering Old Ellicott City together, and it might be one of the sweetest, simplest, most beautiful sessions I’ve had the pleasure of shooting. These two are kind, caring, and so easy to be around that the whole evening just felt like hanging out with people I’d known for years.

We met up in Old Ellicott City and toured the whole town, top to bottom…

And I do mean top to bottom, literally. Madison and Liam were down for anything, which meant we hiked all the way to the tippity top of the highest hill in town for the best views around. We tucked into charming little corners along the way, and at one point I could have sworn a few of the storefronts were painted to match their outfits… It was just that kind of lucky evening.

While their engagement session was such a fun wedding day warm-up, there was another fun bonus reason this session mattered so much, too: Madison had her hair and makeup trial done that same day! I love that this allowed her to see exactly how her look would photograph months before it was time to say I do! There’s nothing like walking into your wedding morning already knowing that you adore how your hair and makeup reads on camera!

Now… their love story actually started with a climbing test gone wrong.

Madison and Liam met at a climbing gym a few years ago, and their whole story almost didn’t happen. Liam volunteered to be Madison’s belay test partner, and during the test, she dropped him… Pretty badly. She was fully convinced he’d never want to talk to her again after that, but somehow, he did. They kept talking, started dating, and the rest, as they say, is history. Liam eventually proposed in Bordeaux, and they were married last October with the most unreal waterfront views.

Madison says what she loves most about Liam is how outgoing and creative he is, and how little he worries about what other people think. He’s the one who makes her feel calm and centered in her most anxious moments.

Liam says it’s Madison’s drive. She knows what she wants and she goes for it, at home and in her career, and the bigger the goal, the harder she works for it. You can tell being around them that they balance each other out in the best way, and that they’re two of the kindest, most genuine people you could hope to meet.

Before we get to the photos, you need some context about these two:

They are full of hobbies and hidden talents. Singinging, dancing, climbing… nothing is off limits, and they excel at ALL of it! Liam? He’s a swing dancer. So naturally, we found a few spots to let him lead Madison through some twirls and lifts that were honestly some of the most unreal dance moves I’ve ever seen during a session. In addition to being so sweet, snuggly and natural together, the dance moves added such a fun and special twist that were such a perfect nod to their fun list of talents and interests.

After exploring through most of town, we closed out their Old Ellicott City engagement session with gorgeous waterfront views.

We closed out the evening down by the water, with a few more twirls and lifts to give Liam’s moves one more moment to shine. It was such a fun way to cap off an already incredible session.

Since this session, I got to watch these two say I do on their bayfront wedding day!

Madison and Liam got married in October at The Bayfront Club, right on the water, and it was every bit as joyful as this session promised it would be. (Just WAIT until you see Liam’s reaction when he saw Madison as a bride!) I can’t wait for you to see the recap from both their Old Ellicott City engagement session… and their wedding day!

PS If you loved this Old Ellicott City engagement session and you’re dreaming up your own DMV engagement session, I would love to be part of it. Tap here to learn more about working together.

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Wedding Day at the Bayfront Club | Madison and Liam

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Old Ellicott City Engagement Photos | Lu and Sam