Stunning cityscape and flower shop engagement shoot for high school sweethearts in Birmingham, Alabama

Real Engagements: Kimya & Cortlin

black african american woman engaged to black man Kimya and Cortlin engagement photoshoot in Birmingham Alabama casual and fancy

It may not seem as common, but many couples do still meet and fall in love as young as high school. Such is the case for Kimya and Cortlin. During their sophomore year, Cortlin mustered the courage to walk Kimya to her locker after class one day. That was all it took. Kimya and Cortlin stayed together even through college, and conquered dating long distance; she attended Spelman College in Georgia, while he went to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. This year marks ten years of the couple having been an item. Cortlin, who is an educator and basketball coach, knew he had the ultimate catch in his girl Kimya, who is a sociology Ph.D. student and researcher now at Stanford University. He planned to propose around her birthday, “pandemic style” via an intimate staycation at a boutique hotel in downtown. When the pair arrived at their room, he had her close her eyes. She overheard Brian McKnight’s song “Never Felt This Way” playing in the background. Kimya’s heart began to pound in anticipation. After she could open her eyes, she saw him kneeling before her with a ring. She noticed the room was elaborately decorated with red rose petals and balloons. Her sister and closest friend were standing in the corner grinning and recording the moment. Through tears of joy and happy disbelief, Kimya said yes to her best friend.

In the engagement shoot, the couple sought to capture the “Magic City,” Birmingham, AL., in all of its splendor and their love for their hometown. “No matter where we were in the world, we knew we could always find our way home,” Kimya says of the city they grew up in. “We hope that our wedding, which will be held in our hometown, will introduce our guests to the charming southern city that we know and love.” Additionally, they wanted to give a preview into the spirit of their garden-themed wedding. Their wedding aesthetic is inspired by the annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic. They also wanted to do something unique with their photos. Getting photographed in a plant shop was a clever and unexpected venue for engagement photos, and it is both quirky and elevated. Their hope for their wedding, which is set for May of 2022, is that people will step out in their boldest, brightest, spring garden formal attire.