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.

Engagement Pictures at Old Man's Cave

For the second part of our session together, we ventured down the trail from Old Man’s Cave to Lower Falls and back. Melting ice sickles still lined the outcroppings so we had to proceed with caution, but as a result of these conditions, the water was a beautiful, milky blue. In the summer, like most Ohio waterways, the creek in this canyon turns murky and muddy, so seeing it this pristine was a treat.

engagement sessionseastlyn brightMarch 23, 2021Hocking Hills, Sunset, Golden Hour, Ohio, Waterfall, Hiking, WinterComment

Engagement Pictures at Ash Cave

At Ash Cave, ice and snow still surrounded the cascade pool, and the low winter sun’s beams glistened through the waterfall, making it seem as though it was raining diamonds. It was breathtaking and created the perfect backdrop for portraits.

engagement sessionseastlyn brightMarch 18, 2021Hocking Hills, Ohio, Waterfall, Hiking, WinterComment

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

Golden Hour Anniversary Photos in Dayton Ohio

We love engagement sessions—couples are so eager and excited about starting their lives together, and it’s always a special time to share in with our couples. But there is just something so powerful about working with couples whose relationship has already stood the test of time. Michelle and Marco have been together for twelve years, and at the time of the session, married for four. Relationships take hard work, and they were so candid about their own struggles to make it to where they are today. Because of their willing openness, we were able to create authentic environments that in turned helped us create images personal to them.

engagement sessionseastlyn brightDecember 16, 2020Englewood Metro ParkGolden Hour, Atmosphere Aerosol, Sunset, Summer, Dayton, Ohio, OutdoorComment

Engagement Photos at John Bryan State Park

The light, accented by wild roses white, draped golden through summertime foliage, and the seamless air welcomed us to run and dance and laugh, spinning joyfully like the leaves of John Bryan’s trees.

Yellow Springs, Ohio is surrounded by beautiful nature parks, seas of wheat, and whimsical charms. It created the perfect environment to celebrate Seth & Hailey’s engagement with these photos.

engagements, engagement sessionseastlyn brightJuly 6, 2020Dayton, Ohio, Golden Hour, Sunset, Outdoor, SummerComment

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.