sarah@sarahhinckleyphotography.com

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July 15, 2025

Duke Gardens Spring Engagement | Haley and Ryan

Couple holding hands in garden by bench | Duke Gardens engagement photos | Raleigh NC wedding photographer

Haley and Ryan

Haley and Ryan’s Duke Gardens spring engagement session was full of golden light and springtime charm! As a local Raleigh wedding photographer, whenever I get the chance to visit this beautiful botanical garden in Durham, I’m always so excited! It’s become one of my favorite engagement session locations near Raleigh. This year I’m also a member photographer, so I’m so excited to be here more!

These two are so natural together, and it was easy to see how much connection they share after four and a half years together. This NC State University love story starts back in May 2018, where Haley and Ryan met. These proud Wolfpack grads started their journey in a physics lab and it quickly grew into something special. It’s only fitting that the place where it all began would later become part of their engagement story too.

Ryan proposed the day before Haley’s birthday over Labor Day weekend. She thought she was just spending a fun day out with her coworker but when asked to see what the chem lab looked like (the one where she and Ryan first met), Haley had no idea what was about to happen. That’s where Ryan was waiting, ready with a ring and a beautiful surprise proposal in the most meaningful place. They are just the sweetest! Side note – her ring is STUNNNNING!

Spring at Duke Gardens

During their spring engagement session at Duke Gardens, we captured so many sweet moments and beautiful backdrops. I love that at this garden there are pretty places to take photos everywhere I turn – any time of year! Haley wore a stunning traditional Chinese dress in some of their portraits, a nod to the beautiful Chinese wedding celebration they held with family in New York City. It was the perfect blend of elegance and heritage.

Their spring wedding at The Maxwell here in Raleigh was so much fun, and brought their story full circle. I have so many favorite images from their wedding day I can’t wait to share on the blog, but for now let’s reminisce on their sweet springtime engagement session at Duke Gardens!