Old Pate Chapel Wedding | Lynchburg, VA | Joanna & Brandon

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of capturing a beautiful and intimate wedding at Old Pate Chapel. Despite the chilly January weather, Joanna and Brandon were brave enough to venture outside for some of their photos. There’s something special about capturing a bride and groom against the natural beauty of the season.

Congratulations to the beautiful couple, Joanna and Brandon on their marriage! Thank you for allowing me to to capture your big day. Here’s to many years of happiness and cherished memories together.

Old Pate Chapel Weddings

Old Pate Chapel stands as a testament to its elegant charm. It was originally constructed in 1964. But, this historic chapel has been renovated to provide an intimate setting for couples seeking a memorable wedding experience.

A Venue Rich in History and Beauty

Old Pate Chapel exudes a classic ambiance, featuring tall white columns and high ceilings that create a spacious yet intimate atmosphere. Its architectural beauty makes it a sought-after location for couples desiring a traditional chapel wedding. The chapel comfortably accommodates up to 200 guests, ensuring that your closest family and friends can share in your special day.

Liberty University

Modern Amenities for Your Comfort

While retaining its historic charm, the chapel is equipped with modern amenities to enhance your wedding experience. It boasts a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system, ensuring that your ceremony is both visually and audibly captivating. Additionally, the venue offers well-appointed dressing rooms for the bride, groom, and their respective parties, providing comfortable spaces to prepare for the ceremony.

Adjacent Reception Venue: The Bottling Co. Reception Hall

For couples planning both their ceremony and reception, the proximity of The Bottling Co. Reception Hall is a significant advantage. Located adjacent to the chapel, this charmingly vintage venue, situated in the former Donald Duck Soda bottling facility, offers a seamless transition from ceremony to celebration. Its rustic charm and ample space make it ideal for hosting wedding receptions, allowing guests to move effortlessly between the two locations.

Booking and Policies

To ensure a smooth planning process, it's essential to be aware of the chapel's booking policies. Rental of the Old Pate Chapel to the facilities for two hours the day before the ceremony for a rehearsal and four hours on the day of the wedding. The Liberty University Events Office assists with scheduling details and provides an on-site facility coordinator to oversee the event. It's important to note that the chapel is not available on Sundays, and all events must align with the university's policies and mission.

Capturing Your Special Moments

The Old Pate Chapel and its surroundings offer a picturesque backdrop for wedding photography. Many couples have beautifully documented their weddings here, with the chapel's elegant interiors and the scenic university campus providing stunning photo opportunities. Photographers appreciate the natural light and historic charm that enhance every shot.

Contact Information

For more details or to schedule a tour of the Old Pate Chapel, you can reach out to the Liberty University Events Office:

  • Phone: (434) 592-3511

  • Email: events@liberty.edu

Choosing the Old Pate Chapel for your wedding ensures a blend of historic elegance and modern convenience, set within the inspiring environment of Liberty University. It's a venue where cherished memories are made, and love stories begin their new chapters.

Lynchburg Family Photos

Lynchburg, Virginia, is the beautiful destination for family reunions and large group vacations. It’s no wonder families love gathering here. Whether you're planning on renting a spacious vacation home, or hosting a celebration at a local event space it’s important to capture the moment with professional family photos.

As a Lynchburg photographer, I specialize in working with large and small families to create timeless portraits that celebrate your unique bond. Extended family sessions are a wonderful way to commemorate your gathering. And they’re perfect for creating memories that will last for generations.

Why Lynchburg is Ideal for Large Family Gatherings

Lynchburg and it’s surrounding areas offer a variety of venues and outdoor spaces that are ideal for family reunions. The city’s parks provide gorgeous natural backdrops for your photos. These locations offer plenty of space for big groups to gather and allow kids to run around while still being close to scenic spots for your session. Additionally, many vacation rentals in the area are designed to accommodate extended families, making it convenient to plan a reunion.

What to Expect During Your Family Photo Session

Large family photo sessions can feel overwhelming to plan, but that’s where I come in. As your Lynchburg photographer, I’ll guide you through the process to ensure everything runs smoothly. From giving you tips on how to plan your outfits to selecting the best time of day for optimal lighting. I’ll make sure your session is stress-free and enjoyable.

During the session, I’ll capture a variety of groupings. We can capture the entire family, smaller family units, grandparents with grandchildren, cousins, and candid moments that showcase the love and laughter of your reunion. My goal is to make everyone feel comfortable so your personalities shine through in the photos.

Tips for a Successful Family Reunion Photo Session

  1. Plan Ahead: Book your session early to ensure availability, especially during peak seasons.

  2. Coordinate Outfits: Choose a color palette that complements the location and ensures a cohesive look without being too matchy-matchy.

  3. Communicate: Let everyone know the schedule and location in advance so the day runs smoothly.

  4. Have Fun: The best photos come from genuine moments, so relax and enjoy the time with your family.

Lynchburg is a special place, and having professional photos taken during your family reunion is a meaningful way to remember the experience. If you’re planning a family gathering in the area, I’d love to work with you to capture those cherished moments as your Lynchburg photographer. Let’s create beautiful memories together!

Liberty University Graduation Photos

I love living a short drive from Liberty University. There is so much going on there! I am a long time wedding photographer, but my favorite thing as of late has been doing Liberty University graduation photos!  There are so many amazing students there who have some incredible futures up ahead. 

I usually do mini photo sessions at DeMoss Hall. It’s a great place for Liberty University graduation photos. It combines elegance with the essence of the university, making it ideal for capturing that iconic graduation feel. You can never go wrong with photos here. They always turn out wonderful, rain or shine!

Congratulations on your upcoming Liberty University graduation!! If you’re one of the many online students of Liberty University planning on traveling to Lynchburg, VA for your graduation ceremony, reach out! I offer 30 minute mini sessions. Graduation is such a huge milestone, and capturing those moments on campus is a perfect way to commemorate it!

Graduation caps and gowns are classic but you are welcome to include props that represent your journey and achievements at Liberty University. Regardless, my guidance in posing will help you feel confident and shine in front of the camera during your Liberty University Graduation session.



Lynchburg Photographer | Sweet Briar Engagement Photos | Samantha & Justin

Congratulations to Samantha & Justin on their Engagement! So glad to have captured what is left of the fall colors at Sweet Briar last week. And thankfully we finished up just before the rain came. Looking forward to this beautiful couple’s wedding next fall!

The Farmhouse at Veritas Proposal/Engagement Photos | Afton, VA | Kristen & Jonathan

The Farmhouse at Veritas located in Afton, VA was the backdrop for this surprise proposal/engagement session! She was surprised!! The fall colors were so pretty this time of year. Congratulations to the beautiful couple: Kristen & Jonathan!

Jefferson Forest Senior Photos | Lynchburg Photographer | Savannah

Savannah wanted to have cherry blossoms in her photos so we made sure to plan for the perfect time for her Lynchburg senior session!

If your son or daughter is a senior graduating in 2025, make sure to plan ahead for their senior photos so you can secure your favorite Lynchburg photographer! Lynchburg senior sessions tend to fill up quickly, especially by January, so it’s best to book early. Senior year is a pivotal time in your child’s life, and you’ll want to capture these memories before they head off to college. Senior photos serve many important purposes. Some schools use them for slideshows at rallies or hang them up in the hallways, while others allow them in the yearbook. But the most common use is for graduation announcements! These cards are sent to family and friends to share the exciting news of your child’s graduation, and sometimes include details like their future plans, whether it’s a specific college they’ll be attending or a career path they’re pursuing. It's a wonderful way to celebrate and share this milestone!

Early spring is a great time to schedule senior photos, especially if you want to get them back in time for graduation announcements. While many seniors opt for fall Lynchburg senior sessions, spring offers a beautiful backdrop with fresh blooms and vibrant colors. For example, Savannah’s session was done in early April, which gave us the perfect timing to capture the season and still have enough time to print the photos for family and friends. Keep in mind that cherry blossoms only bloom for a few weeks, so if you want those in your session, it's important to book early to take advantage of that short window! Planning ahead ensures you’ll have everything ready in time for graduation.

Congratulations to Savannah and her family on this exciting milestone. Best wishes to her as she embarks on this new chapter at the University of West Florida!

Richmond, VA Wedding | UR Canon Chapel Wedding | VA Museum of Fine Arts Wedding | Claire & Sam

This beautiful March wedding was held at the University of Richmond Canon Chapel followed by a reception at the VA Museum of Fine Arts. Take a look at some of my favorites of this gorgeous couple’s day! Congratulations Claire & Sam!!

Lynchburg Wedding Photographer | Lynchburg Photographer | Year in Review: 2023

Another blessed year for Karin Nicole Photography! So grateful to all my wonderful couples and clients again this year. Below are some highlights from 2023 capturing wedding days, college grads, high school seniors and families!