Andrea and Taylor's fall camping engagement session

I started working with these two quite recently - they’re getting married at the end of December this year. We met early in the fall, and planned their engagement session for late October.

I’m mentioning their timeframe because I always think it’s really cool when I get to do an engagement session just a month or two before a couple’s wedding. Doing this session so close to their wedding means that Andrea and Taylor didn’t need these pictures for Save the Dates or invitations - those were already in the works. These pictures were created solely to document this chapter of life for Taylor and Andrea - what they love about each other right now, what their life is like in this season. Two months out from the wedding, their life has a special energy, an excitement. It was an honor to capture that with them.

Planning their Minnesota camping engagement session

Taylor and Andrea are kind and thoughtful, intentional and community-minded. They love spending time in nature - wandering through city parks, hiking and camping in state parks. They love cooking together, creating art together (really, the walls of their apartment are covered with beautiful art they’ve made), spending time out in the world exploring breweries and coffee shops, and cozying up at home playing cribbage. 

When we talked about what they wanted to document in their engagement session, they wanted pictures that would feel fun, casual, adventurous - with a few mixed in that were loving and sweet and cozy.

Fall engagement portraits in St. Paul

We started the session in their neighborhood in St. Paul, with pictures that feel carefree and happy as they’re walking through a nearby park - we had perfect timing with the fall foliage here and the bright, warm colors feel so sunny and happy. We also stopped near their library, which has a beautiful brick exterior and arched windows that reflected the sky. I love how these pictures feel a little extra modern, architectural, and symmetrical. 

Camping engagement portraits with a lifestyle, candid feeling at Interstate Park

After some time in the city, we drove out to Interstate Park for some pictures of Andrea and Taylor doing one of their favorite things: camping. 

These pictures have more of a “lifestyle” feeling; we structured this part of the session around an activity that Taylor and Andrea do all the time. While I was certainly still chatting and giving them some direction, these pictures are less posed and more natural, with a documentary feeling. They look so happy and relaxed here!

Andrea and Taylor, I’ve always wanted to do a camping engagement session and I’m so glad that you had this idea!! These pictures of you two out in the woods are perfect: so relaxed and comfortable and a beautiful reflection of your love and your life. I’m even more excited for your wedding and can’t wait to celebrate you! Thank you so much for being your amazing selves.