Augie and Ryan's Fall Engagement Session | Mill Creek Park | Youngstown, Ohio
This year has been a whirlwind to say the least. While Augie and Ryan’s “engagement session” was the first time I did “engagement” pictures after a couple got married, I wouldn’t say I’m shocked in any way (thanks 2020). These two were originally planning an October 2020 wedding but decided to push it back to 2021. With that, we pushed their engagement photos back and actually shot them almost to the day of their original wedding date. Prior to our session, Augie and Ryan decided that they were going to get married in an intimate ceremony in Ryan’s parent’s backyard surrounded by the people who are closest to them. Any couple who takes this route - I applaud you one million percent! Marriage is about the love after all; the party is an added bonus. And there will always be a time in the future for the big celebration, but for now, in a time where minimalism has taken the reigns in many people’s lives during this pandemic, an intimate ceremony with a handful of people is *CHEFS KISS* perfect.
When I first met these two, I could tell right off the bat that Ryan was the shy, more quiet one and Augie was more outspoken. They both are kind hearted and care deeply for one another, but I absolutely think that their personalities truly bring out the best in each other. I know they were nervous for their session, as most people are, because getting photos taken is flat out weird. Yes, I said it. It’s my profession but it can be super awkward at first. But as I was shooting, I could see these two leaning on one another for support, which helped shake their nerves and really brought out their character and personality in these photos. We spent a lot of time talking and laughing during their session as we explored Mill Creek Park. It was their first time there, so I had the pleasure of showing them some popular spots like the Cinderella Bridge and Fellows Riverside Gardens.
If you know me, you know I loooove hearing engagement stories! It’s so cool to me because it really gives me an insight on each couple. With Augie and Ryan, they both knew marriage was in their future and decided to go ring shopping. They got their rings and kept them in a safe place until one proposed to the other. Augie made a plan to pop the question when they and a close friend took a trip to Fallingwater in Pennsylvania last October. If you don’t know, Fallingwater is a Frank Lloyd Wright architectural masterpiece. It’s visually stunning! Perfect for a proposal ;] Ryan was a little suspish towards the end of their tour, but Augie found the perfect spot with Fallingwater in the background, got down on one knee and proposed. As a photographer, I have to give cudos to Augie for the view he picked because I saw the pictures and it was beautiful! Now they’re planning their 2021 celebration at Buhl Park. It’ll be Fall themed with blue and silver accents, simple pumpkin decor and, more than anything, filled with love and laughter!
