Pet Dog Joins Golden Hour Engagement Photos at Fall Forest Trail

Couple pets dog at fall leaves sunset engagement session

Whatever place you choose for your engagement session, I’m happy to join you there. No matter where you are in your relationship or on the road to marriage, I’m all about stepping into your story! That’s why I see it as so important to bring along your pet to the engagement session too. This means that another part of your love is present for an important life moment. These fall engagement photos with this couple’s dog are a glimpse of all that matters most when it comes to capturing your story!

couple embraces surrounded by fall leaves with dog

couple hugs while standing with dog on forest trail

I May Sound Like a Broken Record: Include Your Pet in Your Photos

couple holds hands over dog at fall engagement photos session

Yes, I’ve said this many times, and I have no shame in saying it again: I strongly believe that you should include what matters most to you at your engagement session. For some couples it means including an important location from your love story. It could mean dressing a certain way, going to a specific spot, doing a favorite activity, or including an old and worn memento. For these two it meant including their very friendly chocolate lab, Murphy, for their fall engagement photos. The point is that just because an engagement session is a step on the road to your wedding doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate it any less!

dog kisses couple at fall engagement photos session

Just because an engagement session is a step on the road to your wedding, doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate it any less!

couple sits on bench with dog at fall engagement photos session

dog jumps up on couple at sunset fall leaves session

couple sits on falls leaves at outdoor fall engagement photos session with dog

Choose an Engagement Photo Location Meaningful to You

couple walks through forest with dog on a trail covered by fall leaves

I’ll guide you through each step of the way towards your wedding day and that includes helping you prepare for your engagement session. We’ll chat through location ideas whether you have something in mind already or if you are starting from scratch.

I can suggest some of the most beautiful locations for engagements, elopements and weddings in the Washington, DC Metro Area. That’s possible because I’ve shot most of them! But, more importantly, I always encourage my couples to choose a place that holds some significance to you! Most of the time you will know the type of place (outdoors, urban, etc.) and I’ll help narrow down ideas that fit your style. This makes it even more special!

couple walks through forest with dog on a trail at fall engagement photos session

For Amanda and Kyle, being out in nature was what tied together both their wedding day at Glen Ellen Farm in Frederick County, Maryland and their fall engagement photos. Both of which included their pup! We went not far from their home to a trail near the historic Manor Mill in Monkton, Maryland where they frequently took Murphy on walks. These fall engagement photos out on a trail showered with fall leaves was a direct connection to their spring wedding day surrounded by wildflowers!

Let Your Fall Engagement Photos Tell Your Story

couple almost kisses standing in field at sunset

couple kisses standing in field at sunset

Photos can say so much more than words so I’m able to show off a couple’s story through their engagement photos. Another bonus in choosing a location that’s already familiar and comfortable is its power to instantly put you at ease. I’m here to guide you through the movements that make you most comfortable during your session, but arriving already feeling relaxed does help!

Another bonus in choosing a location that’s already familiar and comfortable is its power to instantly put you at ease.

couple snuggles dog together at fall engagement photos session

It’s so much easier for you to get lost in your love for each other (and properly ignore me!) in a familiar spot or with your pup tagging along! This is so magical to capture! Amanda and Kyle started out feeling a little nervous but I guided them in their movement and interacting with Murphy got them comfortable with the camera pretty fast! He was even the ring bearer at their wedding!

dog runs holding stick through fall leaves

Storytelling through photography was one of the reasons that Amanda and Kyle found themselves drawn to my photography. Their furry friend completed this storytelling connection by joining them for their fall engagement photos. He is their little fur baby who goes with them everywhere and plays such a big role in their lives and relationship. Showing off their love for him as part of their story was the perfect way to tie everything together!