5 Tips for Your Mountaintop Engagement in the Blue Ridge Mountains

How to maximize your time and experience at Raven’s Roost Overlook

Lyndhurst, VA

Corey & Maiya, Raven’s Roost Fall 2020

If you’re anything like me, the mountains provide an incredible draw. In Virginia, we are so lucky to be home to a tremendous variety of landscapes, making the perfect backdrop for literally engagement session or wedding you could dream up! From Sandbridge Beach’s cozy quietness, to Colonial Williamsburg historic architecture, to downtown Richmond’s fun and quirky vibe, Virginia truly offers it all.

Whether you live closer to the Blue Ridge Mountains or Appalachian Mountains, the rugged backdrop is perfect for your engagement or couples session. My current favorite spot is Raven’s Roost overlook, situated easily off interstate 64 in Lyndhurst, VA.

It’s a relatively short 3 hour drive from Virginia Beach and does not require the same entrance fee that Shenandoah National Park does, but does offer the same stunning views!

Even though 3 hours makes for a nice day trip, it’s still important to make sure you’re making the most of your time while in the mountains. I’ve curated a list of my top FIVE suggestions for making the most of your trip for your engagement session!

Make sure you scroll all the way through for a bonus tip for after your session is over!

5 Tips for Your Blue Ridge Mountain Engagement Session

1) Plan for any weather.

3 hours is a long way to drive only for torrential downpours or a blizzard to ruin your session. Talk with your photographer about what conditions they’re willing to photograph in, and at what point you’ll “call the session”. I generally tell my couples that we’ll wait until the day before or morning of to call a session, because weather in Virginia tends to be quickly changing, and Fall in the mountains can be particularly temperamental.

And if you want epic kissing in the rain photos…just go for it :)

2) Plan for lighting.

This one is huge that people don’t tend to think about but picture this - you plan your session for weeks, if not months. You drive the 3+ hours and arrive at your session. You climb the overlook, enjoy the view, then realize the sun is beaming down on your face. Do-able, but not ideal. A photographers dream is a nice, glowy, backlit situation. (Backlighting sounds pretty obvious but it’s when the sun is directly behind the subject being photographed). Here’s how I plan for this. I pull up whatever overlook or peak I’m planning on photographing at on google maps. I zoom all the way in to see which way the overlook is facing, then figure out which way it is nestled in relation to the sun. With the sun setting in the west, and Raven’s Roost facing the western mountain ridges of Virginia, it makes for the perfect location for a sunset or golden hour session.

3) Dress with the environment in mind.

Up on the mountain peak, the winds might be stronger than down at sea level. Keep shoe choice in mind as well - if you’re not extremely comfortable in heels, don’t do it. Bring options and feel free to include your photographer in your outfit decisions. We love to help, and oftentimes have the foresight to picture what an outfit will look like in a particular environment. Ask your photographer where they will have you change (I always pack a pop-up changing tent!)

4) Be willing to step outside of your comfort zone.

Be open to things that might feel silly or even a little dumb during your session. I prompt my couples to “kiss with their teeth”, to piggy back ride and act like a bucking bronco, and to walk toward me, pulling apart and slamming back together with every few steps. Your photographer may give you similar prompts! These evoke laughter and genuine smiles. Do be willing to say when you’re uncomfortable. If you’re not up for climbing on a particular rock or getting on your partner’s shoulders, say it. We can’t read your minds and would so much rather you tell us than to do something you are uncomfortable doing.

5) Plan for after your session before it starts.

Fill up your gas tank before your session at the Afton Market or BP just before you go up Afton Ridge. Trust me. You don’t want to be caught on empty going down the mountain in the dark. Not fun. Not fun at all.

Go to the bathroom and try your hardest not to drink too much on your drive. If you’re like me - I don’t particularly enjoy trekking off into nature to use the restroom (although I have after sessions in Shenandoah out of necessity).

Plan a stop by a local cidery right in Nellysford! If you’re a cider drinker, you just can’t skip over Bold Rock Cidery with how convenient and close it is to Raven’s Roost.

If you’re just really ready to grab some waffle fries and get home though, the closest Chick-Fil-A is a quick 25 minute drive from the peak. Just don’t try on a Sunday and end up disappointed (like we’ve all done!).

My bonus tip?! Print your pictures!

Sharing your pictures is fun and all, but you know what’s even better?!

Sitting on the floor years from now, with your kids sitting on your lap, flipping through your printed memories. The “oohs” and “ahhs” you’ll hear from them when they see the mountains and you two, and your love. My two favorite labs are Nations Photo Lab for standard prints and Smallwoods Home for custom wood framed canvas prints.