Cinematic Waterfall Engagement Photos

Engagement sessions are all about capturing the essence of a couple—their story, their vibe, and the things they love. For Erin and Alandre, a waterfall setting was the perfect way to showcase their love of adventure, making their April engagement session a true reflection of their easygoing, romantic nature, filled with laughter and candid moments.

Celebrating 22 Years of Love and Adventure

Erin and Alandre have been together for over 22 years. Over two decades of life’s milestones and challenges, they've not only grown as individuals but as partners, always finding new ways to support and love one another. Their proposal took place during a quiet moment at home after a busy morning. Erin says, “It was intimate and special and represented who we are.” Their favorite dates include hiking in Topanga Canyon, dinner on top of a mountain in Arizona, and renting a movie theater for just the two of them during the pandemic.

Choosing the Perfect Location for Your Engagement Session

For their engagement session, Erin knew exactly what she wanted—a stunning waterfall location with a sense of natural drama. I sent several options her way, and when I described this particular spot—with its gorgeous waterfall, meandering creek, lush moss-covered stones, steep ravine walls, and one-of-a-kind, cinematic feel—the vision came to life instantly for both of us. The combination of textures, movement, and atmosphere made it feel like stepping into a hidden world, and Erin knew right away it was the perfect match for the kind of session they had envisioned.

Trusting the Process: Why Timing Matters for Engagement Sessions

I’m so grateful for the trust they placed in me during the planning process! If someone suggested an 11:30 AM start time for an outdoor session, I’d typically hesitate (to say the least), but Erin and Alandre trusted me completely. The light in the steep ravine was absolutely perfect, allowing me to create cinematic images that made them look amazing against the dark cliffs and mossy rocks.

How Location Shapes Your Engagement Photos

The session was laid-back, candid, and relaxed—just like Erin and Alandre. There was a lot of laughter, playful moments, and a few tender glances exchanged as they explored together The sound of the waterfall gently cascading over the rocks, the scent of fresh earth and moss in the air, and the quiet rush of wind between the trees—these moments added to the magic of Erin and Alandre's session, bringing their love for nature to life in every frame.

Start Planning Your Dream Engagement Session

Whether you're dreaming of a quiet forest escape, a bold architectural backdrop, or a one-of-a-kind waterfall like Erin and Alandre’s, the right location can help tell your story in a way that feels true to you. I’ve scouted and photographed some of the most unique engagement session locations across Kentucky—explore them here—and if something catches your eye (or sparks a new idea), I’d love to help bring it to life. Ready to start planning your own meaningful, cinematic session? Reach out here, and let’s create something unforgettable together.

Fall Engagement Session at Bernheim Forest

There’s something special about Bernheim Forest in the fall—the golden light, the quiet paths, and art installations around every turn. It turned out to be the perfect setting for Sam and Haley’s engagement session: thoughtful, creative, cozy, and a little adventurous. Just like them.

They brought a picnic with some of their favorite books, a sketchpad, and each other. After we wandered the grounds and created some gorgeous photos among the trees and sculptures, they settled into a little clearing, shared snacks, and sketched. They flipped through well-loved books and talked. It felt less like a photo session and more like a date—which is always the goal.

Engagement sessions are at their best when they reflect who you are as a couple. Bringing things you love—like sketching, hiking, reading, or even just a favorite blanket and a snack—can take the pressure off and make the whole experience feel easy, even fun. Sam is a painter, and Haley is a writer. They spend a lot of their time creating near each other, so it made perfect sense to include that part of their relationship in the photos.

They met on Hinge during the pandemic and had a long & slightly chaotic first date hiking at Clifty Falls—complete with a dead phone and getting lost in the woods. But they clicked immediately, and that same adventurous energy has stayed with them. Their life together now includes cooking weeknight dinners, visiting art markets, cuddling their dogs on MegaCouch (their beloved oversized blue couch), and planning weekend hikes or dinner parties with friends.

Their proposal story reflects how intentional they are with each other. Haley decorated their home with flowers and lights and surprised Sam after dinner one night—friends hiding on the deck, filming the whole thing while their dogs looked on. Sam proposed right back.

If you’re planning your engagement session, here’s a tip: think of it like planning a date. What would make you feel most like yourselves? What kinds of places or activities bring you joy? Whether it’s sketching in the woods or grabbing tacos on the river, the best photos happen when you’re doing something you love—with the person you love.

Looking for location inspiration for your engagement photos? These 7 unique engagement photo locations in Louisville are sure to help.

Ready to start planning your own session?

Whether you have a specific idea in mind or just know you want something that feels like you, I’d love to help you bring it to life. Reach out here and let’s make something beautiful together.

Parklands Winter Engagement Session

When imagining what month you’d like to plan your engagement session, what season comes to mind? I’m guessing sometime in the spring, summer, or fall...but I’m here to tell you not to sleep on winter engagement sessions. Winter brings many unique opportunities that just aren’t possible in other seasons, so today I’ll be sharing some of my favorite winter benefits as well as dispelling some myths I hear a lot about winter engagement sessions!

Myth: Everything looks dead and brown in the winter.

A lot of people think that if you’re planning a winter engagement session you need to have snow for it to look good. While snow is really pretty, it’s absolutely not necessary for a winter session! For Tobie & Kendall, I chose an area I knew had tall warm grasses, bold evergreens, a pond with good reflections, and some rolling hills— all of these elements came together to bring more color and contrast to their images!

Myth: You can’t stay warm and look nice at the same time.

Tobie and Kendall got lucky with a fifty-degree day in January so they didn’t need to worry too much about the cold. However, they brought a blanket that they were able to not only use to sit down, but also to wrap up and snuggle in as it got more chilly. If you have a colder day for your session, you can wear lots of layers to keep yourself warm and to make the images feel more cozy! Hand warmers in your pockets or toe warmers in your shoes can also make you more comfortable. One final tip is to bring a hot beverage to sip in the car between locations or you can even bring a cute thermos to include it in images to make them feel more date-like.

Benefit: You won’t get sweaty.

This one is kind of a no-brainer, but Kentucky summers can be somewhat brutal with the heat and humidity. If suffering through warm temps while trying not to look sweaty in photos doesn’t sound difficult enough imagine doing that while also trying to snuggle with each other. In the winter you can skip being sweaty and you’ll actually WANT to snuggle up to stay warm.

Benefit: Fewer people around means more privacy.

I schedule almost all of my engagement sessions Monday through Thursday— largely because I usually have weddings on the weekend, but also to avoid crowds. In the winter, there are always fewer people out so places that are usually pretty busy end up being nearly empty. This is great for two reasons. One, we don’t have to avoid people in the background of your images, and two, you don’t have to worry about people watching you all and feeling self-conscious.