DeLong Photography Blog

Photographers providing authentic photographs, modern heirloom albums, and more for those who value a comfortable and fun experience 
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Available for travel.

North Carolina Museum of Art & WRAL Azalea Garden Engagement Session | Raleigh, NC Engagement Photographer

NC Art Museum engagement session in Raleigh, NC, featuring a couple kissing between the glass walls of the museum’s modern architecture, captured by DeLong Photography.

As a Raleigh engagement photographer, one of our favorite ways to create a truly unique engagement gallery is by combining multiple locations that showcase different sides of a couple’s personality and style. That’s exactly what this sweet couple did for their summer engagement session. They paired the modern architecture of the North Carolina Museum of Art with the lush gardens and colorful blooms of the WRAL Azalea Garden.

Their elegant blue and ivory outfits complemented both settings beautifully. From the museum’s sleek lines and contemporary design to the romantic greenery of the gardens, every part of this session felt timeless, sophisticated, and uniquely them.

The result was a stunning collection of engagement photos that perfectly captured their relationship while highlighting two of the most beautiful engagement session locations in Raleigh, North Carolina.

A Modern Engagement Session at the North Carolina Museum of Art

We began the session at the North Carolina Museum of Art, one of our favorite engagement photo locations in Raleigh. The museum’s clean lines, contemporary architecture, and thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces provide a timeless backdrop for engagement portraits.

For this portion of the session, the couple chose minimalist outfits that perfectly complemented the museum’s sophisticated aesthetic. Their polished look paired beautifully with the sleek architecture, creating photographs that feel both modern and timeless.

One of the things we love most about the museum is its versatility. Whether you’re drawn to contemporary design, open spaces, or artistic details, the North Carolina Museum of Art offers countless opportunities for beautiful engagement photos.

A Change of Scenery at WRAL Azalea Garden

After exploring the museum grounds, we headed to the WRAL Azalea Garden for a completely different look and feel.

The transition from modern architecture to lush greenery added so much variety to their gallery. Surrounded by winding pathways, mature trees, and vibrant summer foliage, the garden provided a softer, more romantic atmosphere for the second half of the session.

The couple changed into a second look, which gave their engagement photos even more variety. It also allowed us to create a collection of images that felt like multiple sessions in one. We always encourage couples to consider a longer session. The time affords you the ability to change into a second outfit, as well as move to a second location. It can dramatically expand the look of your gallery while allowing you to express different aspects of your personalities and style.

Why We Love Combining Multiple Engagement Session Locations

One of the biggest advantages of choosing two engagement session locations is the ability to create a gallery with incredible visual diversity.

The North Carolina Museum of Art brought structure, elegance, and modern sophistication. The WRAL Azalea Garden added romance, texture, and natural beauty. Together, they created the perfect balance.

If you’re planning your engagement session in Raleigh, NC, combining two nearby locations can give you the best of both worlds without requiring significant travel time.

Planning Your Raleigh Engagement Session

Raleigh offers some of the most beautiful engagement session locations in North Carolina. From museums and urban architecture to gardens, parks, and scenic natural areas, there are endless possibilities for creating engagement photos that feel uniquely you.

When helping couples plan their engagement sessions, we always focus on selecting locations that complement their personalities, style, and vision. Whether you love modern city vibes, colorful gardens, or something entirely different, we’ll help you find the perfect setting for your photographs.

Looking for a Raleigh Engagement Photographer?

If you’re recently engaged and searching for a Raleigh engagement photographer or North Carolina wedding photographer, we’d love to help you create an engagement session that feels authentic, beautiful, and uniquely yours.

From helping you choose locations and outfits to guiding you naturally throughout the session, our goal is to make the experience fun, relaxed, and stress-free while creating photographs you’ll treasure for years to come.

If you’re planning a wedding in Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville, or anywhere throughout North Carolina, we’d love to hear more about your story.


Make sure to follow us on IG, so you know where to find us when it’s YOUR turn!


Here are a few of our favorites from Hadley and Kade’s Raleigh engagement session:

Why Choose the North Carolina Museum of Art for Engagement Photos?

The North Carolina Museum of Art is one of the most popular engagement photo locations in Raleigh, and it’s easy to see why. The museum offers an incredible combination of modern architecture, expansive outdoor spaces, curated landscapes, and artistic elements that create a sophisticated backdrop for engagement portraits.

One of our favorite things about the museum is its versatility. Couples can enjoy sleek architectural lines, open grassy fields, walking paths, contemporary sculptures, and beautiful natural light all within the same location. Whether you’re envisioning elegant, editorial-inspired portraits or candid images that capture your connection, the museum provides a stunning setting for both.

The grounds are especially beautiful during the spring, summer, and fall months, making it an excellent choice for engagement sessions throughout much of the year. Its convenient location in Raleigh also makes it easy to pair with nearby locations. This easily adds even more variety to your engagement photo gallery.


While you’re at it, see other proposals and engagement sessions, click here! 👈


Our goal is for our client’s experience to be enjoyable and comfortable. From the beginning, our couples know they don’t have to worry about stiff or awkward posing. We believe in celebrating the moments you feel the most like yourself.

We are Charlotte, North Carolina, wedding photographers who love creating classic, timeless, and emotional photographs for kind people. Not getting married in NC? No problem! We often travel for weddings and portrait sessions around the country including Charleston, SC, and Atlanta, GA. To learn about upcoming travel dates, contact us here!


Professional headshot of Shannon DeLong, Charlotte wedding photographer, with soft waves, natural makeup, and a warm smile against a dark background.

Connect With Us!
To see daily updates of our current weddings and images, follow us on Instagram. You can also follow us on our Facebook page, Twitter, and find plenty of inspiration on our Pinterest page.

Ready to have a fantastic wedding day? Connect with us!

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