Oakes Quarry is my absolute favorite location for photo sessions in Dayton. It has a distinct vibe, with lots of rocks and crystal clear ponds with blue water. When J & C wanted to have their engagement session at Oakes Quarry- I was so excited. Their session was at the end of October, and the weather was perfect. The skies were clear and we enjoyed the most beautiful golden hour for their engagement photos.

I love a meaningful engagement session location, and when L & E told me they wanted to have their photos taken at the University of Dayton where they met, I was so excited. During their time at UD, these two lovebirds lived just a few houses away from one another. When the time came for Evan to move, he and Liz didn’t know what to expect, but felt sad that they wouldn’t be down the street neighbors anymore. As luck (or fate) would have it, he ended up moving into a house that was even closer, which neither of them anticipated.

Fall is probably the most popular season for engagement sessions, and with good reason. The leaves provide a gorgeous color palette for outdoor engagement photos and the weather is usually pleasant. This recent engagement photography session at Cox Arboretum was definitely a favorite of mine. It was just a little chilly- the perfect weather to wear sweaters and cuddle together.

I’m just going to come out and say it- Cox Arboretum is the best place in Dayton for fall engagement photos. Early Sunday morning, I met with C & R for their engagement session at Cox Arboretum. We arrived just after sunrise and the park was peaceful. We pretty much had the whole place to ourselves.

One of the most important choices you make while planning your engagement session, is what location you are going to use. Pretty locations are great- but a place that has meaning is truly the perfect setting for once-in-a-lifetime photos. Andy & Katie opted to use their home and different places around their neighborhood for the background of their engagement photos. South Park in Dayton is a gorgeous neighborhood with lots of eclectic style and historic homes. It truly was the perfect place for an engagement session.

Tonight’s engagement session was so dreamy, I just couldn’t wait to share a few images. We began our session at Waldruhe Park in Dayton, Ohio. Including dogs in your engagement images is always a great idea, and I love that M & C wanted to bring their pups along for a few photos! The second location on our schedule was Cox Arboretum. The light was absolutely perfect and the park wasn’t too crowded, so we were able to really take advantage of all the wonderful things there. A huge congratulations to the future Mr. & Mrs.!

Now that things are starting to look at least a little bit more normal, I am excited to share some of the things I have been working on over the past few weeks. Earlier this week, I headed down to Cincinnati for an engagement session at Coffee Emporium and French Park.

Engagement sessions in the winter are a special kind of magic. For Kacy & Evan’s engagement session at Charleston Falls, a fresh layer of snow covered the ground and icicles hung from the ledge of the falls. It was a dream. We began our session early in the morning, arriving at the park at first light. The park was almost empty and we were able to take advantage of all the beautiful scenery there.

Winter photo sessions don’t have to be out in the freezing cold, even when you live in Ohio. Here are some ideas to bring your engagement photos inside, where it is nice and warm. Your toes will thank you.