The wind tugged our hair, blowing strands this way and that. Three pairs of boots crunched softly over brown leaves as ancient oak trees spread their dark, thick arms protectively over us. It was freezing outside–I couldn’t believe I had scheduled a photo shoot on what may have been the coldest day Chapel Hill had seen in weeks. Julie and Emily didn’t care–they had bundled up in cute pea coats, scarves, and gloves and were ready to show me the beauty of UNC Chapel Hill’s beautiful campus.

My sister and I are the best of friends.

And it’s so much fun to meet other sisters who are exactly the same way.

“Just talk to yourselves and pretend I’m not here” is a request that effectively ends most people’s dialogue. Who can have a normal conversation with a photographer only feet (sometimes inches) away from your face? Julie and Emily did this effortlessly. Honestly, I think it’s a sisters’-gift-of-gab sort of thing. My sister and I have it. Julie and Emily have it. They slipped into conversation easily, giving me lots of time to get candids.

The trees at Chapel Hill…can I take one home, please? I haven’t seen a single oak tree in Durham. Why does Chapel Hill get to hoard ‘em all?

An animated conversation in a secret garden.

models: julie & emily