Adam + Jenelle
Adam and Jenelle Mattis met us for their Richmond anniversary session. It was a balmy 104-degree evening, but we wouldn’t have changed it for the world.
View their full blog post including links to their fashion choices here.
How would you describe the images, style, and experience you shared with The MaeWood Collective?
Meg and Jes helped my wife, Jenelle, and me capture the perfect balance of classy, Gatsby, and goofy, which describes us perfectly. We first fell in love with Meg and Jes six years ago when our mutual friend Kristi introduced us for an engagement session. Since that first meeting, Meg and Jes have been our people. In addition to our engagement photos, we were excited to collaborate with MaeWood for our wedding photos and my sister-in-law’s wedding. Meg and Jes are not just the people we trust to take our photos; they’re our friends. When we learned that Meg and Jes were going to be refreshing their portfolio and reactivating on the East Coast, we knew it was the perfect time to get some new photos and hang out with our friends at MaeWood.
How did The MaeWood Collective’s style and approach contribute to making your anniversary session memorable?
There is never a stressful moment with MaeWood. Considering that the temperature was over 100° the evening of our shoot, that says a lot! Meg and Jes did their homework and found three perfect locations for our session. Each was unique but captured our “couple vibe” perfectly.
Were there any unique or special moments during the photography session that you particularly enjoyed?
Toward the end of our shoot, Jes looked at Meg, who kind of gave her a “no” look back. Jess then asked, “How would you guys feel about jumping on the bed?” Jenelle immediately shot back with, “YES!” Thirty minutes later, we were jumping on our hotel bed like a bunch of kids, smacking each other with pillows, and both Jenelle and Jes were laughing hysterically. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Did the photography session evoke any unexpected emotions or revelations about your relationship? Could you recount a cherished moment from your session that captures the essence of your love story?
Jenelle and I run full speed all the time. Our relationship is very balanced, and we do a lot of fun things together, but what this session reminded us is that while “a lot” can be fun, “a lot” can also be overwhelming. Meg and Jes forced us to slow down and simply be with each other, to enjoy lingering gazes, gentle touches, and simple moments. Through all of this “a lot,” it was nice to be reminded that sometimes less is more.
Were there specific elements or details that held special meaning for both of you?
In 2005, while serving with the US Army in Iraq, I was involved in a roadside bombing whose injuries led to my retirement. From that blast, I had a large piece of copper removed from my chest, which I kept in my nightstand for many years, except when Jenelle carried it with her while working as a nurse during COVID. Last year, Jenelle pushed me to do something with the piece of copper. Working with a local jeweler, we had it made into a signet ring. It was surreal to glance down at that ring during the shoot and realize how much has happened over the last 19 years, and how blessed I was to be in that very moment. It is interesting how slowing down for something as seemingly simple as a photoshoot can raise so many unexpected memories and emotions.
In your own words, describe the location of your session and what you loved about it. Set the scene for us!
Richmond, Virginia: who knew? Jenelle and I have driven through Richmond dozens of times on I-95 but have never actually visited. The architecture and maturity of the city are breathtaking. It is a perfect blend of classic Americana, southern charm, and modern city life. We visited three locations, but there are so many more gems to be discovered!
How did you feel when you first saw the final photographs from the session?
“My baby is bootylicious!” I swear this is the first thing that came to mind. That aside, Meg and Jes surely did it again. The photos captured the mood, the moment, and the maturity (or, immaturity) of our relationship perfectly. The biggest challenge is to pick only three to have printed on canvas.
If you could describe MaeWood’s work in four words, what would they be?
Three words and an emoji: MaeWood is family. 🤌
To learn more about Adam & Jenelle, please visit AdamMattis.com and MattisCo.com.
Want more session inspiration? Check out these journal entries on the blog:
Six Ways to Use Your Engagement Photos
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