I first published Don’s work two months ago, maybe you’ll remember his beautiful trash the dress session? This time he’s back with an engagement shoot. But what an engagement shoot! This is for all those couples out there, that don’t quite recognise themselves in retro flowery pastel stuff. Because you know what? It’s alright. Photography: Don Barrington.

•••

The word of the photographer.

The evening was slowly settling in when we arrived at the Chattanooga Gold Dredge. Josh and Tonja were familiar with this dredge, from either late night escapades or parties. I had never been. As we walked up this small hill the gold dredge became visible. Abandoned, forlorn, yet a powerful machine loomed in the middle of a lake, like a mighty despot defeated long ago. I got really excited. I’d never photographed anything like this before. Tonja kept telling me we should shoot here and we were finally doing it. I told them to take a walk as I reached for my camera.

Hand in hand they stumbled down to the edge, climbed inside the big medal cadaver and walked to the furthest front portion of the dredge. I could see their silhouettes, shimmering in the water from the shoreline. I told them to stop and just look at each other, while I captured their bodies in the water. I ran over to them, taking shot after shot all around them. We surveyed the dredge from the inside out. We climbed weather worn steps. We danced. We drank wine. We explored. And all this time I couldn’t stop documenting Josh & Tonja’s love for one another. This was one of my most memorable engagement shoots in Alaska, and I keep referring back to it when I meet new couples.