Winter Engagement Session

Monday, January 30th, 2023

It is funny how quickly things can change. Just over a week ago, Christine emailed me to set up her and Phil’s engagement session. She wanted to have the photos ready to design her Save the Dates for their upcoming October wedding. While I truly love shooting and miss it (read: become grumpy) when I am not shooting, I also wanted to make sure she loved her images. Two weeks ago, the ground looked dead, beaten, colorless, and muddy. When I inquired whether she would be interested in more of a city feel, she said it really wasn’t her and Phil’s vibe. They love nature. They met in nature. They visit nature. Together, we looked at a deadline for the shoot and I mentioned that the best nature shoots are winter engagement sessions right after snowfall. The trees are covered, the ground is fresh, and there is a stillness to the photos that puts a heightened awareness on the couple. Sure enough, Mother Nature delivered and we were able to squeeze in their winter engagement session at Stony Creek Metropark. Stony is one of my favorite places to shoot when couples want a nature-themed location. Its endless backdrops make it more of a place to wander and explore than a staged photo spot. Our first stop was a little turn off the main road, where we spotted a walking trail that proved to be the perfect spot to start Christine and Phil’s winter engagement session.

A couple laughs as they walk through the snow at their winter engagement session.

Our first spot turned out to be a bit more windy than we expected so we stopped by one of my favorite places to shoot, which I knew would offer Christine and Phil a bit more protection from the elements.

A guy hugs his fiance from behind while they both laugh at their winter engagement session at Stony Creek Metropark.
A guy hugs his fiance from behind and kisses her at their winter engagement session at Stony Creek Metropark.

If this next photo doesn’t make their Save the Date, I may have to sell my camera! I love photos like this; real moments, real laughter, real emotions. The words that were spoken is already forgotten. The moment itself will blend in with others, but the emotions felt can always be revisited and felt. To me, an emotionally true image will always trump a technically perfect image. Luckily, the photo pretty much brings both of those elements together.

A guy hugs his fiance from behind while they both laugh at their winter engagement session at Stony Creek Metropark.
A couple pose with a tree in the snow for their winter engagement session at Stony Creek.
A couple pose with a tree in the snow for their winter engagement session at Stony Creek.
A couple pose near a tree in the snow for their winter engagement session at Stony Creek.
A couple pose leaning on a tree in the snow for their winter engagement session at Stony Creek.
A couple pose with a tree in the snow for their winter engagement session at Stony Creek.
A couple pose in an open field of tall grass and snow for their winter engagement session at Stony Creek.
A couple pose in an open field of tall grass and snow for their winter engagement session at Stony Creek.
A couple pose in an open field of tall grass and snow for their winter engagement session at Stony Creek.
A couple pose in an open field of tall grass and snow for their winter engagement session at Stony Creek.

By this point in their winter engagement shoot, I was already looking forward to their wedding. I can’t wait to see the fun and laughter they share on their wedding day.

A couple sit on a stone wall at their engagement session at Stony Creek.
A couple sit on a stone wall at their engagement session at Stony Creek.
A couple lean on stone wall and hold hands at their engagement session at Stony Creek.
A woman hugs her boyfriend from behind in a tunnel of trees at their winter engagement session at Stony Creek.
A woman hugs her boyfriend from behind in a tunnel of trees at their winter engagement session at Stony Creek.
A couple pose in the middle of a road during their winter engagement session.