There is something undeniably special about photographing a session at golden hour. The way the light just wraps around everything it touches. It turns ordinary moments into something that feels cinematic. Add in two people who are genuinely and undeniably in love with each other and you have the ingredients for a session that will stop you mid-scroll every single time you look at them. That’s exactly what happened when Abigail and Jacob arrived at The Holmstead Studio for their dreamy golden hour engagement session, and I am still dreaming about every single moment we captured.

As a Knoxville, TN. wedding photographer, I am always on the lookout for the perfect locations for engagement sessions. I always want the location we choose to be intentional, beautiful, and versitale enought to fully tell a couples story. The Holmstead Studio is one of these perfect locations, and the proof is seen in this session. Keep reading for a full look at their engagement session, as well as outfit styling tips, and how to figure out if this is the perfect location for your engagement photos.

If you haven’t heard of The Holmstead Studio yet, consider this your official introduction. Tucked away in Karns, TN. – located in the Knoxville area – The Holmstead Studio is a multi-space property that offers photographers and couples an incredible range of environments all in one place. From a stunning greenhouse-inspired indoor studio, to a sprawling outdoor farmhouse yard, this property has a variety of spaces to make a couples vision come to life. Plus, when you add golden hour to the mix? It becomes something else entirely.

One space The Holmstead Studio offers is the outdoor studio. This space includes the front deck and steps, patio furniture, porch swings, a large wood picnic table, a wooden fenced in yard, an open field, a meadow, and both a log bench and field bench. It is an incredibly versatile space that offers something different around every corner.

During golden hour, this outdoor space is absolutely transformed. The warm Tennessee light hits the wooden textures, the open grassy field, and the surrounding trees in a way that truly makes the space shine. The result is imagery that is soft, glowing, and highlights the couple perfectly. There is something about a wide open field at golden hour and two people who are deeply in love that works and creates stunning images every single time.

The outdoor studio is also pet-friendly, which is a boxus for couples who want to include their fur babies in their engagement session. If that sounds like you, it is definetly something worth asking about when you reach out.

Another space that we explored during Abigail and Jacob’s session was the Glassholm Indoor Greenhouse Studio, and it is truly unlike anything else in the Knoxville area. Housed in a converted barn with a greenhouse feel, the Glassholm is simple, cozy, and absolutley stunning. The space features a large work bench, a couch, a twin bed, a variety of chairs, plus a private changing room. It truly gives us so many options to work with throughout the session.

What makes the Glassholm truly magical during golden hour is the way the sun sets directly behind it. The light that comes in through the windows during that last hour of daylight is warm, directional, and completly dreamy. It’s the kind of light photographers dream about and couples fall in love with when they see their final images. The interior practically glows during golden hour. It created the most intimate, romantic atmosphere right from the start for Abigail and Jacob’s session.

The Glassholm is ideal for couples wanting an indoor space, that’s not a treditional studio space. Think greenhouse vibes with warm textures and lots of cozy details. The owner even switches out the decor based on the season. Making it perfect for a themed engagement session. It is also a great option if weather is a concern. Since the Glassholm is not weather dependent, it’s a reliable option for photo shoots year-round.

One of the things that makes the outdoor space so special at The Holmstead Studio is the thoughtful, charming details they have tucked throughout the property. Two of our favorites from Abigail and Jacob’s session were the wooden swing and the clothesline station, and they both deserve their own moment.

The wooden swing created this perfectly intimate setting for the two of them to just be together – close, relaxed, and completly at ease. There is something about a wooden swing that makes you feel like you are taking stills straight out of a film.

The clothesline station, complete with linens stored in the little greenhouse beside it, added a whimsical element that photographed beautifully against the golden hour sky. These details are not just pretty backdrops, they are perfect opportunities for genuine, unhurried moments that translate into images that couples will treasure for a lifetime.

Let’s talk about the real stars of the day, Abigail and Jacob. These two are simply the kind of couple that makes me so grateful for my job. From the moment they arrived on the property, there was this easy, natural warmth between them that was impossible to miss. They were relaxed, present, and so clearly in love with each other.

Jacob had a quiet steadiness about him that translated so beautifully on camera. Abigail was radiant and completly in her element. Together they brought this effortless energy. It made the entire session feel like getting to witness something really beautiful unfold in real time. I was so honoured to be there for it and to capture their love.

Now let’s take a moment to talk about Abigail’s dress, because it truly deserves it’s own moment. She wore a stunning sundress from Shop The 214, and it was the perfect choice for both the Glassholm indoor studio and the outdoor farmhouse space. The silhouette was brethtaking, the fabric moved beautifully with every step, and the overally look felt so romantic in the best way possible.

This is a great opportunity to answer one of the most common questions I get as a Knoxville Wedding Photographer. What should I wear for my engagement session? Abigail and Jacob’s looks are the perfect example of what photographs beautifully. Outfits that they feel comfortable in, that allow them to move, and neutral tones that complements the environment rather than competing with it. A few things to keep in mind when putting together your outfits for your engagement session is to choose fabrics with movement and texture, avoid busy patterns or large logos, wear outfits that compliment each other and the location, and most importantly, wear something that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.

For a location like The Holmstead Studio, you will want pieces that work well with both the Glassholm and the outdoor studio space. The warm tones of the Glassholm and the natural textures of the outdoor space pair beautifully with earthy tones and flowing pieces. If you need a starting place for finding that perfect look, Shop The 214 is an incredible place to start.

There are some sessions where you assist in directing every moment, and then there are some sessions where you just step back and take a fly on the wall approach. Abigail and Jacob’s session was the latter. The way Jacob looks at Agail says everything that words never could. The way she leans into him, completly at ease and fully herself. It made their portraits feel less like photographs and more like memories frozen in time.

This is what engagement sessions are all about. It is not about perfect poses or having the perfect smile. It is truly about capturing the love of two people who have chosen each other to be their other half. Images like these are exactly why I love doing what I do.

Some of the very best images that come from an engagement session were never planned. They happen in the quiet space between poses. A shared laugh at something only the couple understands, the way their eyes catch, the way their hands find each other, a quick kiss, or wrapping themselves up in each others arms. Those are the frames that I will always love the most and they are the ones that stop people mid-scroll every single time.

Golden hour has a way of making in-between moments feel cinematic. The light is so warm, creating the most beautiful tones in the images. That is exactly why I always reccomend golden hour as the perfect time for engagement photos to every couple I work with.

Beyond the couple and the stunning spaces at the Holmstead Studio, it is always the smaller details that truly will tie a session together and create a full story for their final gallery. Think close up detailed shots mixed in with far away shots that capture the full scene. Every element of this session was considered, and it showed in their final gallery.

One of the questions that I always get asked from couples is where should they have their engagement session? The Holmstead Studio is a location I recommend often, so who is it the perfect location for?

It is the perfect location for couples who appreciate intentional spaces and want a mix of both outdoor and indoor photos. The Glassholm indoor studio is perfect for someone who is looking for a non-traditonal indoor space. Think warm greenhouse textures, cozy furniture, and soft directional light. The outdoor studio is perfect for someone who wants an open field, filled with natural surroundings, as well as a farhouse vibe.

The best part about this space is you don’t have to choose between the two. Photographing at both spaces in one session gives you an incredible range of images, all without ever leaving the property. It is such a versatile location, and the variety it can offer in a session is hard to beat.

If you feel nervous in front of the camera, a space like this is also incredibly helpful. The intimate, thoughtfully designed environments make it easy to relax, move naturally, and be fully present with the person you love.

Abigail and Jacob’s golden hour engagement session at The Holmstead Studio is one that reminds me exactly why I fell in love with photography. Capturing a love story is truly what I love to do. Every single moment of this session was a gift, and I am so grateful that I was there to capture it.

If you are a Knoxville, TN. couple dreaming about engagement photos that feel intentional, romantic, and entirely yours, then I would love to hear from you. Whether you are envisioning a golden hour session at The Holmstead Studio, an outdoor adventure, or something completly unique to you. Inquire today and let’s start planning a session as beautiful as your love story. I cannot wait to meet you.

Vendors:

Photography: Savannah Edwards Photography
Venue: The Holmstead Studio(Glassholm Indoor Greenhouse Studio & Outdoor Studio) – Located in Knoxville, TN
Abigail’s Dress: Shop The 214
Host and Planner: Leigha Gray Photography