John and Lori Engagement Session

On a moonrise paddle on Alum Creek Reservoir, I met John and Lori. They had planned this particular paddle with a group of 25 or so paddlers. And we paddled off into the night, waiting for the moon to rise. As it did, we started talking, and they were only months away from their wedding. They still had not chosen a photographer, but it seemed meeting one in a situation like this was the closest to fate you could get, and made the decision easy. Or at least easier. But I was happy they chose me. These were my type of people.

My wedding packages come with a free engagement session. Not meant to be a sales-pitch, but rather a way for us to get to know each other. So when I show up at your wedding, it feels natural for all of us. It helps me engage more with your story, and I capture more moments that are special to you.

John and Lori didn’t think they wanted an engagement session. Outdoorsey and adventurous, they felt that a traditional engagement session would feel fake. My goal of every photo session to feel authentic, I suggested we simply do something they would naturally do on their own. And this engagement session captured that perfectly. Except for the sunrise part. That was my idea. Have to have pretty light, too.

We chose a spot dear to them, and one I know well. The Osprey Cliff area of Alum Creek Reservoir. Not far North of Columbus, the original Alum Creek has carved some steep cliffs into some bends. Since the damming of the reservoir, it is now a shallow paddling sanctuary. And very pretty for this part of the state.

Starting the morning with having them make a fire and set up their hammock, they made some coffee and we just spent time on the clifftop. Of course I guided them a bit, but tried my best to keep things as natural as possible. We laughed, told stories, talked about the wedding, and hung out like old friends. It just so happened I had a big camera in my hand. And taken as a huge compliment, one of their friends posted - “So Natural. It is like a little butterfly decided to join you for the day and took some photos!”

John and Lori’s love for one another was strong, as much as their thirst for adventure. And this led us to Stand Up Paddleboarding to see the Osprey Nests as well. Not a stranger to taking the camera on the water, I loved this idea, and we had a wonderful end to the morning.

The photos will finish this post, but know that the reason I picked up a camera in the first place was for times like these. As much as I love the outdoors, there is something much more satisfying in having the ability to bring that camera along to capture much more meaningful things.

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