Engagement photography in Chagrin Falls, Ohio
When Alyssa mentioned wanting sunflowers in their shoot, I immediately thought of photographing their engagement photography in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. The planning commission does a superb job with their floral designs that are built into the landscape along the river edge.
Both Alyssa and her fiance, Danny, were super excited about their first professional photo shoot, and with good reason. After all, it's not every day that you get to be in front of the camera in an exciting location! The fragrance of mid-summer blossoms and the small-town feel provided the perfect ambiance for capturing their romance.
After strolling through the park, we walked across the street and descended the stairs to a platform that overlooked the falls. Due to the dark tree canopy, I made use of my portable lighting setup to brighten up the shadows on their faces. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can go down to the foot of the falls, but the rocky terrain there is a bit tricky to navigate.
Their engagement rings were important to them, so took advantage of the potted blossoms by the falls to craft a closeup image of their hands with the rings. The purple hue of the flowers made a nice contrast with the light amber flesh tones of their hands.
Knowing the historical significance of The Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop, I just had to capture Alyssa and Danny in front of it. This iconic shop, established in 1875, is a popcorn and candy shop located in the village of Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. It was originally established as a retail showcase for The Pride of the Falls flour mill, which was powered by the Chagrin River. I had the couple stand in front of it while I captured some candid moments.
I snapped away as the couple danced to the beat of the jazz musician's percussion rifts that gently wafted from across the street. Could this be their first dance as an engaged couple? They laughed and twirled as if there were no tomorrow as the sun melted into soft sweet light. I am sure that Alyssa and Dan will always remember their engagement session experience at Chagrin falls!
