When Samantha told me that she wanted to do a hiking adventure session to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary… and have me capture it… I was FLOORED! Every single thing about this is right up my alley! We originally were going to go to the Indiana Dunes National Park because it was closer to them, but half way through the planning, she asked what she thought was a big request… to drive 2.5 hours away to one of their all time favorite places to hike, Shades State Park in Indiana! She sent me photos of it and I couldn’t say yes fast enough!! A hiking adventure AND a road trip!? UGHHH MY HEART! Yes yes yes!
She told me that they “accidentally” stumbled upon this place when they were originally trying to go to Turkey Run State Park which is close by and it is now one of their favorite places! While we were at the shoot, we saw maybe 4 people on the entire trail! On a SUNDAY in June! I was amazed by how empty the place was, and that helped make us feel like we had the whole park to ourselves! It was so beautiful!
This was Samantha and Ryan’s FOURTH time in front of my camera and every single time, I am reminded how amazing they are in front of the camera! Every single pose and prompt, they just nail it every time! I had an absolute BLAST photographing these two doing something that is special to them, and something that I also love doing- exploring new places and being out on the trails! I’m SO excited to share this session on the blog and it definitely goes down as one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE shoots to date! Enjoy some of my favorites! :)
Every time they visit a National Park, they get a stamp in their park passport books and I think this is the COOLEST thing to have while traveling!
The cicada’s were EXTREME this day! 2021 is the 17th year that these guys emerge and boy were they SINGING. We had to talk louder than normal because of the constant humming around us! It was crazy! So of course we had to document one to be a part of the story of their anniversary session! (I was slightly terrified to get this close to one of these! eeekkkk!)
On their wedding day they had small booklets at every table that their guests were sitting at for them to leave notes to read on that specific anniversary, so they brought along book #5 on this hike to find a spot by the water to read through it! It was such a sweet moment and now these two call this “their rock” and will remember this day every time they come back! Sooo sweet!
A tradition that these two have is to bring these sparkling drinks with them to enjoy after a long day on the trail! (and they even brought me one to try! it’s SO yummy!!)
