A Summer Engagement Session at Pickett Park

Although it was Alyssa and Austin's first time visiting Pickett Park, I was excited to introduce them to one of my favorite places for engagement sessions in West Michigan. I've photographed here many times and love the variety it offers—from the peaceful river views and towering trees to the quiet walking paths that make it easy to create natural, relaxed portraits.

As we explored the park together, they quickly fell in love with the scenery. The warm summer evening gave us beautiful light, and the combination of lush greenery and the river created the perfect backdrop for documenting this exciting season of their lives.

Rather than focusing on perfectly posed photos, we spent the evening wandering through the park, laughing together, and letting genuine moments unfold naturally. Those authentic interactions are always my favorite because they're the ones that truly tell a couple's story.

Avery Was the MVP

If you've been around here for a while, you know I absolutely love when couples include their pets in their engagement session. Avery was full of personality from the moment we started and made every photo even more special.

Whether she was soaking up all the attention, getting cuddles from both Alyssa and Austin, or simply being her curious little self, Avery added so much joy to the session. These are the kinds of memories that become even more meaningful over the years.

If you're thinking about bringing your dog to your engagement photos, I always encourage it! We can build the session around them, make time for plenty of portraits together, and even have a family member or friend pick them up once we've finished their portion of the session.

As a West Michigan engagement photographer, my goal is always to create images that feel authentic to each couple. For Alyssa and Austin, that meant an evening spent exploring the trails, enjoying the peaceful river views, and making plenty of time for Avery to join in on the fun.