One of my favorite parts of photographing engagement sessions is helping couples create memories, not just beautiful photos. When couples are visiting Northern Michigan or aren’t familiar with the area, they often ask where we should go for their session.

While there are so many iconic locations to choose from, I love finding places that feel meaningful. If they don’t already have a special place in mind, I enjoy creating an experience that becomes meaningful.

My goal is never just to take you somewhere pretty. I want your engagement session to feel like an adventure you’ll remember long after your gallery is delivered. If you already have a favorite location, I’m all for incorporating it into your session. If you’re new to the area, I love introducing you to some of Northern Michigan’s hidden gems. My hope is that they become places you’ll always connect with this season of your life.

That was exactly the case with Christina and Jason.

Since they weren’t from the area, they trusted me to plan a route that would give them a variety of scenery while creating a fun evening together. We started with a drive along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in Glen Arbor. We stopped at the charming covered bridge, where the quiet setting and towering trees created the perfect backdrop for their first photos.

From there, we headed to North Bar Beach. We were greeted by the most incredible surprise. A thick blanket of fog rolled across Lake Michigan and created the dreamiest atmosphere. The soft light and mist made everything feel almost magical. Every photo looked like it came straight out of a storybook.

Sometimes the most unforgettable moments are the ones you could never plan.

To finish the evening, we made our way into downtown Empire and stopped at Tiffany’s Café for ice cream. Instead of simply posing for photos, Christina and Jason enjoyed their treats, laughed together, and even played a game while I documented those genuine moments.

Those little interactions are often the moments couples treasure the most. They capture what a relationship really feels like, and that’s something no pose can recreate.

By the end of the evening, Christina and Jason left with a gallery full of beautiful images. More importantly, they left with new memories tied to places they had never visited before.

Now, whenever they think of Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, North Bar Beach, or that little ice cream shop in Empire, they’ll remember this season of life and the excitement of being engaged.

That’s exactly what I hope every engagement session becomes. Not just a photoshoot, but an experience. Beautiful locations are wonderful, but the memories you make together are what truly bring your photographs to life for years to come.