Nadia & Alex knew exactly where they wanted their engagement session before we’d even finished our first conversation. Davidson-Arabia Mountain has been their place — the kind of spot that becomes part of a relationship’s geography — and there was never really a question about it.
What none of us planned for was the weather.
Georgia was catching the tail end of a coastal tropical storm the day we shot, which meant we went from drizzle to full downpour and back again before the sky finally cleared and handed us one of the most spectacular sunsets I’ve seen on that mountain. Nadia & Alex were absolute troopers through every bit of it — and honestly? The rain was a gift. These two have this incredibly dramatic, romantic energy — very much Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy — and the moody sky and wet granite only amplified everything that was already there between them.
The Old Quarry Office
Nadia & Alex had a secret to share with me: their favorite hidden spot on the mountain, the Old Quarry Office ruins. If you haven’t found this place yet, it’s a tucked-away corner of the preserve where old stone structures still stand from the area’s quarrying past. The story goes that workers used to toss their peach pits around the quarry at lunch, and now there are beautiful peach trees growing out of what was once an industrial worksite. That kind of layered history — wildness reclaiming something man-made — makes for the most extraordinary backdrops.
We spent a good stretch of time in the ruins as the rain came and went. Nadia had brought a small cake for the two of them to enjoy once the weather started to clear, which is honestly one of the most charming things a couple has ever pulled out of a bag at a shoot. We made it work, rain and all.
The Summit and the Sunset
After the quarry, we drove to the other entrance of the preserve to chase the remaining light. Because of the storm, the mountain was completely empty — something I genuinely don’t think I’ve seen before at Arabia Mountain. Just us, the wet granite, and a sky that went from grey to every shade of orange as the sun broke through.
That kind of light on the bare rock face of a monadnock is something special. There’s nowhere to hide and nowhere you’d want to. It’s open and exposed and cinematic in a way that rewards couples who are willing to just stand in it and be present with each other — which Nadia & Alex did effortlessly.
About Davidson-Arabia Mountain
If you’re considering an Arabia Mountain engagement session, here’s what’s worth knowing. The Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve covers over 2,550 acres in DeKalb County, about 20 miles east of downtown Atlanta. It was designated part of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area in 2006 in recognition of its cultural, historical, and natural significance.
The mountain itself is a monadnock — a granite outcrop that resisted erosion as the landscape around it receded — and the result is this stunning, almost lunar expanse of exposed rock interspersed with rare plant life. In fall, yellow daisies bloom across the granite. In late winter and early spring, it’s the red diamorpha. The quarry ruins scattered throughout the preserve are remnants of a granite industry that once supplied stone for the U.S. Naval Academy and the Brooklyn Bridge, among other landmarks.
Parking is free, the trails are open dawn to dusk, and leashed dogs are welcome. The main Nature Center entrance is at 3787 Klondike Road, Lithonia, GA 30038.
Tips for Your Arabia Mountain Engagement Session
Wear real shoes. The granite is beautiful and it’s also uneven, sometimes slippery, and not forgiving of sandals or fashion sneakers. Wear something you can actually move in.
Go at golden hour. The open rock face means you’re fully exposed to the sky, which is a gorgeous thing when the light is warm and directional. Schedule your session for late afternoon and stay for the sunset if you can.
Don’t skip the quarry ruins. The Old Quarry Office area is one of the most photographically interesting locations on the mountain and most people walk right past it. Ask your photographer about it in advance.
Fall is exceptional here. The yellow daisies typically bloom in October and November, the temperatures are comfortable, and the fall foliage in the surrounding forest adds warmth to the exposed granite landscape. It’s the sweet spot.
Embrace the weather. Georgia weather is unpredictable and Arabia Mountain is fully exposed. I’ve shot here in rain, in dramatic clouds, in thick golden haze, and in every case the conditions added something. Come prepared and stay flexible.
