Katie & John | Morehead City Engagement

Morehead City Engagement Session by Fancy This Photography

Today’s blog is a throwback! Travel back in time with us to appreciate the sweet love and romance of Katie Brown and John Gaito’s Morehead City engagement session. Before Nikki captured their stunning fall 2024 wedding at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, North Carolina, she headed to the coast to photograph the couple in one of their favorite places.

Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography, specializes in destination engagements, elopements and weddings. She loves getting the chance to help tell a couple’s story in a location that means something to them.

Katie and John chose Fancy This Photography because they wanted a photographer who would help them feel comfortable in front of the camera.

“I felt like I had known Nikki my whole life,” says Katie. 

“She was so personable and excited to be part of our big day. It made me happy knowing she was going to be a big part of creating our memories.”

That ease and connection began during their Morehead City engagement session. From walking on the beach to cruising in their boat, the couple had fun doing the things they love most. Their Morehead City engagement session was even featured in the 2025 issue of Heart of NC Weddings magazine.

“Nikki made it so fun and relaxing,” Katie remembers. “She kept hyping me up, and we ended up having a great time.”

Keep scrolling to learn more about Fancy This’ destination photography services. Enjoy witnessing the beauty and love Katie and John share, as it shines through each image. Click here to see their real wedding at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, NC.

Katie Brown and John Gaito share a sunset kiss during their Morehead City engagement session on Aug. 17, 2024. Photo by Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography.

Behind the Scenes of a Morehead City Engagement Session

The weather was dreamy for a Morehead City engagement session in August. Nikki used her Nikon Z6II camera along with two lenses, a 50mm and a 24-70mm, to capture the adventure.

Katie and John started the shoot with some playful dockside photos alongside their family and their 4-year-old French bulldog, Lilly. Then, it was time for a sunset cruise! Katie, John and Nikki climbed aboard the family boat and set off into the open water for some incredible beach engagement photos.

Katie & John, Morehead City Engagement Session August 2024. Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography, specializes in destination engagements, elopements and weddings.

Q&A With Nikki Whitt Belch, Founder and Owner of Fancy This Photography

Q: What do you enjoy most about destination engagement photo shoots?

A: They just feel like the couple. You really get a good sense of who they are and what they enjoy doing in their free time. It’s also a great point in their wedding planning journey, when they’re excited and having fun, and it makes for a perfect opportunity to take stunning photos in a location that matters to them.

Q: Why do you recommend destination engagement sessions?

A: I LOVE a destination engagement session! I definitely recommend it if the couple has a place that’s sentimental to them. Each couple is different, some love the mountains, some love the beach. Some have spent summers in a specific beach house, visiting the same shops and making memories in that one spot.

“Your engagement session should feel like YOU. Let’s not stick you in a random field somewhere. Let’s pick a location with extra meaning.” -Nikki Whitt Belch

A Brief Love Story: Katie Brown and John Gaito

Katie and John first met in 2016 when John worked for Katie’s father at their family business, Action Ski and Outdoor Tours. At the time, John was attending East Carolina University, and Katie was a student at Meredith College. They began talking in 2018 and officially started dating that August. John proposed to Katie in the Highlands of North Carolina on Nov. 4, 2023. The rest is history!

Katie and John’s 2024 Morehead City engagement session was even featured in the 2025 issue of Heart of NC Weddings magazine. Photo by Nikki Whitt Belch, Fancy This Photography

If you're planning a beach engagement session, we recommend choosing the intracoastal waterways. While the ocean is undeniably beautiful and magical, North Carolina’s intracoastal waters often offer better sunsets and calmer conditions.

Morehead City Engagement Photos

Morehead City, North Carolina, is the biggest town on the Crystal Coast. It’s cute as can be. With its quaint downtown, waterfront views and deep history, it’s a sweet spot for a destination engagement, elopement or wedding.

Located about three hours from Raleigh, Morehead City is bordered by Bogue Sound to the south and the Newport River to the north and east.

If you're planning a beach engagement session, we recommend choosing the intracoastal waterways. While the ocean is undeniably beautiful and magical, North Carolina’s intracoastal waters often offer better sunsets and calmer conditions. The intercoastal waterways are truly perfect for romantic photo shoots.

Fun Facts: Morehead City is also known for events like the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in June and the North Carolina Seafood Festival in October. Nearby attractions include Fort Macon State Park, the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, and the North Carolina Maritime Museum.

The weather was dreamy for Katie and John’s Morehead City engagement session in August. Nikki used her Nikon Z6II camera along with two lenses, a 50mm and a 24-70mm, to capture the adventure.

Katie & John | Morehead City Engagement Session - Photo by Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography

Fashion for Beach Engagement Photos

When you opt for an adventurous destination engagement session, outfit changes can be tricky. It’s easy to see why Katie and John picked one coordinated look and stuck with it. Changing clothes on a boat or beach can be a challenge. In such a stunning location, you really don’t need multiple outfits.

Their wardrobe choices suited the setting of their Morehead City engagement session beautifully. A suit and tie or high heels wouldn’t have made much sense for photos like these.

Katie wore a breezy, cottagecore-style cap-sleeve dress with ruffles and a black-and-white Renaissance print. Statement earrings, a delicate necklace and bracelets, and a Gucci sun hat added the right touch of personality and polish. Her dress looked cool in motion, blowing in the wind on the boat and along the shore.

John kept it classic and coastal in a light-blue plaid button-down shirt tucked into khaki shorts. The finishing touch? A playful fish-print belt. Together, their outfits reflected the charm of Morehead City and their personal style.

Whether you're planning a destination engagement or looking for a North Carolina photographer to capture your wedding day, Fancy This Photography would be honored to document this special season of your life.

Katie & John | Morehead City Engagement Session 2024 - Photo by Nikki Whitt Belch, founder and owner of Fancy This Photography

Whether you're planning a destination engagement or looking for a North Carolina photographer to capture your wedding day, Fancy This Photography would be honored to document this special time of your life. From Morehead City engagement sessions to Key West weddings, our team is ready to travel. We are ready to capture your love story, wherever it takes place.