Latta Plantation Engagement Session

If you’ve been dreaming of a fall engagement session in Charlotte showcasing the changing leaves, this session is for you! Alicia and Rodney wanted a nature-filled outdoor session, and Latta Plantation did not disappoint. Unfortunately, several parks in Charlotte had become overgrown during the lockdown. Luckily, Latta Plantation took care of their property, and mother nature put her colors on display. Scroll down to see a few favorites from their session!

** The thumbnails might look a bit fuzzy. Click an image to see it larger at full resolution. 😊👍

The Location

Latta Plantation is a multifaceted location. It has the “Latta Nature Center​ [which] serves as the gateway to the 1,460 acres of Latta Nature Preserve and is the source for educational programs and information on the preserve’s natural communities, flora, and fauna. The preserve, Mecklenburg County’s largest, forms a green peninsula extending into Mountain Island Lake and protects a natural heritage site and several endangered plants.​

The Nature Center features live, native animals, a discovery hall, an outdoor amphitheater, and a gift shop. Outside, visitors can stop and observe nature in action at the National Wildlife Federation certified Backyard Habitat Garden which includes bird feeding stations, butterfly gardens, [a] garden pond, and [a] demonstration compost area. Self-interpretive trail guides are available for several nature preserve trails.

Programs and Historic Latta

A variety of programs are offered, including paddling and Segway tours of the preserve and environmental education courses for all ages. There is also the Historic Latta, a restored 19^th century federal-style home and living history farm of James Latta, open to public tours and interpretive programs” (Source: MeckNC.gov)

The Shoot

With 16 miles of trails, we ventured to some scenic spaces in the woods. We love the color variety we found as we walked. Starting with oranges and reds, then to yellows, and ending with lots of greenery (yes, there is still greenery in November!). We drove to the end of the main road that concludes at the waterway. Alicia and Rodney did a quick outfit change and we snapped a few images as the sun set.

PRO TIP: Be sure to research places to change before your engagement session! You don’t want to be stuck changing outfits in your car (which happened to us before we became photographers ourselves 😂). Fortunately, most public parks like this have public restrooms, but it’s good to know where they are located. If you’re in the city, look for a Starbucks (be a good person and buy something) or another easily accessible establishment.

Acknowledgements

Thank you, Alicia and Rodney, for choosing us to capture this most exciting time in your lives! We enjoyed getting to know you, and it honestly felt like we had known you for years! We can’t wait to see you in just a few months as you tie the knot at Taylor Made Farms. Congrats, again!

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