We’re photographing Chase & Karina’s wedding later this year at Canyon Run Ranch outside of Dayton, Ohio. During one of our preliminary phone calls, they expressed interest in a destination adventure engagement session. They both love the outdoors and nature, so what better way to have the best of both worlds for their photos?—A wedding near home with the ones they love AND an epic adventure to capture their love in a place that they hold so dear. In fact, in 2019, Chase proposed to Karina in Grand Teton National Park on the shores of Jackson Lake. It was fortuitous that we were going to be in Jackson Hole in June for some weddings/elopements. It didn’t take any convincing, without hesitation they booked a session with us and their tickets to the Wild West.

Silver Lake Sand Dunes Engagement Session

When Meg & Rainer were trying to decide on the best location for their adventure engagement session they tossed around multiple ideas, including the Redwoods in California and the Arizona desert, but Meg told us that her heart kept coming back to the sand dunes in Michigan. It’s a special place for them; they didn’t feel like any other place would feel as much like who they are.

They’re getting married at a castle in Charlevoix, Michigan later this year, and so it was quite fitting that we kept to the theme of their day by remaining in the Great Lakes state for their engagement pictures.

engagement sessions, destination sessionseastlyn brightFebruary 4, 2021Michigan, Lake, Outdoor, Summer, CoastComment

Northern California Coast Couple Photos

The ranch lies on a beautiful piece of property adorned by pastures, coastal forest, foothill mountains and is directly across the road (route 101) from the rugged coastline of the Pacific Ocean. Almost everything we love about California (our favorite state) is found right here.

destination sessions, engagement sessionseastlyn brightMarch 27, 2020California, Coast, Beach, Ocean, SpringComment

Grand Teton National Park Engagement

Sharing with Beka and David (for their engagement session) the wonder experience of a Tetons sunset, spotting wildlife in the distance, hearing gentle ripples on Jenny Lake, and smelling the sage brush in each silent breeze are just some of the things that made this session extra special. There’s something remarkable about sharing our witness of love with the grandeur of nature’s gifts.

Ari & Isaac | engagement pictures at Cades Cove Smoky Mountains National Park

In June, we went on a family trip to the Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and stayed at Cades Cove Campground. During our time there, we drove the Cades Cove loop several times, and seeing it in different light and times of day—sunrise and sunset—sparked a desire to bring a couple here for a full length engagement session or elopement. So, when Arianna reached out to us about location suggestions for their pictures, we were quick to share our longing to go back.

In the White Mountains with Mikayla & Luke

Hidden in New Hampshire's White Mountains like a diamond in the rough, we found a trail to Mount Willard Point in Crawford Notch State Park. After hiking a steady incline for a bit less than 2 miles, up ahead, we could finally see a clearing in the woodland. As we walked the final stretch of path, the air was calm and moist, causing the earth to delight our senses with its cedar aroma. Just before making it to the top, a returning hiker warned us of the extreme wind that we were about to encounter. And then, stepping from beneath the trees onto the precipitous rocky cliff, we were blasted with damp clouds and stunned by wonder.

The Most Breathtaking Desert Inspired Engagement Photos in Michigan

In the brutal wind, sand swirls up and off every dune crest as it is slowly recreating its own landscape. Its shape is in constant change, but moving forward, it is only becoming more beautiful. Like Gentry and Sierra's relationship; in this moment in time, they may feel as if they know each other fully and love as much as possible. However, as the days go on, and life's constant wind of change continues to take hold in their lives and bring them closer together, their love will only grow deeper, never to fully settle. There is always a deeper picture in creation. A way to remind us of relationship, and ultimately perfect restoration and harmony.

Stormy Adventure Photos in Iceland

October is Iceland's storm season, especially the Snæfellsjökull Peninsula on the west coast--it's known for the worst storms on this island nation. When we first read about Icelandic Octobers, we imagined just a lot of rain--"oh, we can handle getting wet"--we were (so very) wrong. We learned that when Icelanders talk about storms, they're referring to the incredible winds.