What do you do when you’re working with a sweet couple who wants to do something totally different and a bit off-beat for their engagement session? First, you panic. Then, you reach out to your Dallas wedding planner and friend Katie Frost. Lastly, you give her all of your gratitude and thanks for suggesting we take this couple’s engagement photos at Dallas wedding venue Brake and Clutch in Deep Ellum! Of course – Deep Ellum! Why hadn’t I thought of it? We also ventured over to another Dallas wedding venue Hickory Street Annex. The colors, textures, and depth provided by both locations were the perfect backdrop for engagement photos in Deep Ellum. Thanks to both venue owners for allowing us to visit! As a Dallas wedding photographer, sometimes it’s just easy to stick to your tried and true locations, but I am so happy that Melissa and Zack were willing to explore a bit for their engagement photos in Deep Ellum!

Melissa and Zack have such great energy in person and in front of the camera. They are playful and absolutely love to laugh together! They were also completely open to getting creative, which is no surprise as Melissa is an artist herself. As a matter of fact, Melissa and Zack are actually high school sweethearts who first met in a high school art class! Ever since then, they’ve been together as best friends and partners in life. Now, I am so thrilled to capture their wedding at the Marriott Quorum in Addison this October! Having already discussed some of their vision for their big day, I can already tell you that it’s going to be FUN and UNIQUE – just like this wonderful couple! I can’t emphasize enough how much I love it when brides and grooms are excited to share themselves and their personalities as a part of their wedding day style!

For now, enjoy learning more about Melissa and Zack while looking through their Dallas engagement photos in Deep Ellum! And if these pictures and their interview don’t bring a smile to your face – do me a favor and check your pulse!

Tell me about how you first met!

Zack: “I first saw her our freshman year of High School. She came to visit my art teacher whom she had in another class period, and the first thing I noticed was her hair. Curly frizzy mess of a hair style, a bright yellow sweater, and a smile to knock a man to his knees! We didn’t officially meet until sophomore year in a ceramics class of all places! Another form of art – see the pattern yet? Art was something we bonded over, and we became really good friends. We talked all the time, but it wasn’t until our junior year’s Sadie Hawkins Dance that she finally asked me out. From there, everything just fell into place. We’ve been together ever since – as friends, lovers, and partners. She is my rock, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Share the details about the proposal!

Melissa: “In truly the best ‘Zack’ kind of way. It was the eve before Thanksgiving. We were at home just talking about everything under the moon when he brought up the topic of forever. Not so much an odd topic for us, as we’ve always liked the idea of the future…so I was fiddling with things around the house while we talked.”

Zack: “She turned her back for a moment to fiddle with something on the front door, and I saw an opportune moment to ‘strike’ while I had the chance to catch her off guard!”

Melissa: “I turned around as we were finishing our conversation, and there he was down on one knee right in the middle of the living room! He asked, and of course I said yes! Afterward, we decided to go spend the rest of our engagement night going back to where we had our very first date – at a Whataburger! It was just perfect!”

What’s something funny or interesting you’d like to share about your future spouse?

Zack: “She makes the quirkiest noises at the most random times, and she doesn’t realize how much they make me smile. They are so cute.”

Melissa: “No matter how rough a day may have been, or exhausting, he never forgets the cuddles. It will always be the thing that keeps me going during the day – knowing that I get to come home to that kind of love.”

Do you two have any suggestions for couples who are preparing to have their engagement photos taken?

“Really just be yourself. Engagement sessions are meant to be relaxing and fun, and that’s what ours was. We are weird and outgoing, and just being ourselves helped create a wonderful atmosphere. Having a camera in front of you shouldn’t change anything. Truly just have fun with it!”

How was your overall session experience?

“It was great! We decided to go outside of our ‘norm’ and do something we would not usually do. Life’s too short not to try new things! Emily was amazing to work with! She was so patient with us and all of our extreme randomness that it brought out a wonderful side to her personality too!”

Did you enjoy these engagement photos in Deep Ellum, and want to see more of my work? Feel free to view my website with galleries of more Dallas wedding photography! Whether you’re planning a wedding in Dallas or elsewhere in the DFW metroplex, I would love to hear about your special day. Contact Emily Chappell Photography for more information about Dallas wedding photography!