Salamonie Lake Engagement Session

I was so excited to finally meet Alyson and Dustin at their Salamonie Lake engagement session!  Dustin and Alyson  won my photographer heart from the moment I received their inquiry!  They treasure photos and said “We would like to get to know you and all that you have to offer us for our big day.”  Yes!  It’s so important to me to get to know my couples!  That one statement in their inquiry said so much to me about who they are and what they want their wedding photography experience to be like.  After a few emails, in April, Dustin and Alyson spent a weekend looking over my website.  They decided love my work and wanted me to capture their wedding day.

We finally get to meet!

Due to COVID, although we’d be communicating since April, we  didn’t actually meet until their engagement session at Salamonie Lake this September.   They were even more wonderful in person! At Alyson’s suggestion we found a picnic table and began their engagement session sitting down to get to know each other a bit.  I loved this!  I found we were all a bit more at ease and relaxed by the time we started taking pictures.  Alyson and Dustin put a lot of time and though into the location for their engagement session, wanting to be sure they chose a location that fit them well as a couple.  Salamonie Lake, a location they were very familiar with was perfect!  We enjoyed the variety of setting provided in one space–water, trees and fields of grasses and wildflowers.

 

Trees, water and flowers oh my!

As we explored the many setting Salamonie has to offer Alyson and Dustin told me a bit more about themselves.  They are high school sweethearts who met when they were just16!  Then they survived 4 years of long distance dating while Dustin was at IU and Alyson was at Anderson University.  Fun side note, she even knows one of my favorite couples Kaycee & Jeremy (2018 SSP bride & groom), who also went to Anderson.  I admire their fortitude and commitment.  Four  years of long distance dating, through all the changes of the college years would be would be really hard.

 

The Proposal

All day long Dustin had the ring in his pocket, waiting for the perfect moment to propose.  After a family birthday party, they went to Alyson’s sister’s house where she was house/dog sitting.  Dustin couldn’t wait any longer!  As they were preparing to walk the dog,  Dustin took Alyson by surprise when he dropped to one knee and asked to marry her.  Such a sweet proposal!

 

Grab a cup of hot cocoa and sit back to enjoy a sneak peak from their sweet Salamonie Lake Engagement session.  I can’t wait for their wedding at Orchard Ridge next spring!

 

Dustin built this dock, so it was a must! 🙂

Alyson spotted this wonderful open field of tall grasses and beautiful wildflowers.  It was perfect!

 

Recently engaged?  Check out wedding planning tips here:  Top 5 Things to do When you Get Engaged   and  The Next Steps: What to do After You Get Engaged

To learn more about the Simply Seeking Photography wedding experience click here:  The Wedding Experience 

blessings,

Julie