Warm Spring Engagement Session
View this sweet and intimate engagement session and read about how lucky we got with the weather at an unpredictable time of year.
It’s no secret that Minnesota in March can be as about as moody as a 13 year old girl. You never know what you’re going to get, even the weather man can’t really tell you. A snowstorm can turn into a sunny day and 60 degrees can suddenly morph into a blizzard. It makes scheduling an engagement session a little tricky but when you’re working on a timeline, ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Belle and I basically rolled the dice on a date, picked it out of a hate, you might say. I gave her my best advice on what I thought could potentially be the most ideal time but honestly, my weather advice is about as reliable as spring in this dang state.
I spent the next couple weeks leading up to Josiah and Belle’s engagement session checking the weather religiously, cringing internally every time the predictions took a turn for the worst and staying hopeful when it looked good. None of my manifestations could change what was going to happen, but I like to pretend that I can make the weather do as I choose. Spoiler alert: I’m actually not that powerful. Call me a magician behind the camera but ultimately, the weather is in the Lord’s hands, not mine.
Because we happen to be insanely lucky, the weather was actually INCREDIBLE. It was warm, the sun was out, the snow was mostly melted, with a few snowy patches here and there. It was, however, soppy and gross out. While we were hoping it wasn’t going to be crazy muddy out, we don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, that’s for certain. Our session had not been rained or snowed out and honestly, I was incredibly grateful.
The road leading into Banning State Park was a beast in itself. I drive a little Ford Focus and let me tell you, I was terrified of disappearing into one of the potholes that I was destined to hit. The warm sun hitting the frozen ground created a slippery, bumpy, mess. Trying to balance going slow enough so I didn’t slide off the road, and fast enough so I didn’t get stuck anywhere was… interesting. An adventure to say the least. I arrived early, as I always do to scout out an area I’m not familiar with. I don’t like using our limited time running around, trying to find the ideal spot, that is on my own time. I racked up 7,000 steps walking up and down hills, over trails, gauging where the sun would hit at any specific time. I scolded myself for not putting on my boots as I foolishly stepped directly into mud. I made a mental note to warn J+B of that spot.
Josiah and Isabella were so eager to go along with any of my ideas and completely willing to walk through the snow and mud to get to my ideal spots. (J+B, I love you.) As always, I started out with some classic “stand together, look at the camera, and smile” poses and their chemistry was quickly evident to me. Just the way they smile at each other could make a stone cold heart melt. Nothing is more sweet to me than seeing to people in love, being in love.
The three of us marveled over how stunning this park would be in the fall, or even the summer. And it’s true. Even with all the dead grass and empty leaved trees, it was clear how much potential this area had. It was beautiful, even without a glorious pop of color. “If your wedding wasn’t literally in November, I would totally suggest doing photos in the late summer or fall,” I said.
“Oh well, next time,” Josiah joked.
I think, however, that Belle’s engagement ring made up for the lack of colorful leaves. Seriously. I’d be lying if my jaw wasn’t on the floor (in the mud?) over it. With some deep green moss on a rock and that stunning rock, a vision quickly formed in my mind. Safe to say, the photos I got of just the ring, may be some of my favorite I’ve ever captured in my whole career. Please make note of the ring in the moss photos up ahead, I’m very proud, okay?
I always love engagement sessions because it gives such an opportunity to get to know each other before your wedding day and to get a feel of how we work together as photographer and couple. Getting to know Josiah and Belle in the short hour we had, was such a treat. They are endlessly kind, so easy to get along with, and their love is inspiring. I found myself saying, “that is so cute, you’ve gotta be freaking kidding me,” more times than I care to admit.
I fear I may not be able to truly appreciate this year’s summer and fall; I will be too busy counting down the days to their November wedding.
Take a peek at some adorable snippets from their session!
