There is something magical about a summer evening on the campuses of the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College. The gardens are overflowing with color, the Golden Dome glows in the evening light, and every winding pathway seems to lead to another beautiful backdrop. Camryn and Steven envisioned summer University of Notre Dame & Saint Mary’s College engagement photos that felt timeless, romantic, and just a subtle nod to Notre Dame. By the end of the evening, I think we created exactly that.
While they knew they wanted to incorporate some of the iconic landmarks around campus, their biggest inspiration was something a little different. They dreamed of photos that felt like they had stepped into an enchanted forest—lush greenery, soft golden light, peaceful ponds, and quiet moments together. Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s offered the perfect combination.
Summer Engagement Photos at Notre Dame
We began their engagement photos at Notre Dame by exploring some of my favorite summer locations around campus. The greenery arch created a beautiful, natural frame while still giving a subtle sense of place. From there, we wandered through God Quad, where the lavender was in full bloom and the flowers added the prettiest pops of purple and red throughout their portraits.
One of my favorite things about photographing on Notre Dame’s campus is how many completely different looks you can create within just a short walk. In one session, we captured elegant garden portraits, classic campus architecture, wide-open green spaces, and of course, the iconic Golden Dome.
The Golden Dome is always worth including during a Notre Dame engagement session. It creates timeless portraits that instantly tell the story of this special place while never overpowering the couple themselves.
If you’re planning your own engagement session on campus, I also put together a guide covering my favorite locations for photos around Notre Dame: Where to Take Engagement Photos at Notre Dame.
Saint Mary’s College Engagement Photos at Golden Hour
After exploring Notre Dame, we headed over to Saint Mary’s College for the second half of their session.
This is where everything came together.
Saint Mary’s has an entirely different feel from Notre Dame. The quiet pond, winding stone paths, graceful willow trees, and hidden gardens create an atmosphere that feels peaceful and almost storybook-like. As the sun dipped lower, the light filtered through the willow branches, creating the dreamy, enchanted forest feeling Camryn and Steven had envisioned from the very beginning.
Some of my favorite images from the entire session happened here.
The willow trees naturally framed them as they sat together on a quiet bench overlooking the pond. The bridge lit with café lights added a completely different mood as blue hour settled in, and the fountains reflected the last bit of evening light. Every location felt intimate, romantic, and completely different from the last.
Their willingness to trust my ideas made such a difference. Whether I asked them to run hand-in-hand across the lawn, slow dance under the willow branches, or simply sit quietly together, they embraced every suggestion with huge smiles and so much joy.
Those are always the sessions that create the most authentic photographs.
Looking Ahead to Their South Bend Wedding
The best part? This engagement session is only the beginning.
Next June, I’ll be photographing Camryn and Steven’s wedding at the beautiful Saint Pius X Catholic Church, followed by their reception at The Palais Royale in South Bend. It’s one of my favorite ceremony and reception combinations, and after spending the evening with these two, I already know their wedding day is going to be full of laughter, genuine moments, and so much excitement.
I truly cannot wait.
Planning Your Own South Bend Engagement Photos?
Whether you’re dreaming of summer University of Notre Dame & Saint Mary’s College engagement photos, or somewhere else in South Bend, I’d love to help you create a session that feels uniquely you.
Every couple has a different vision. Some want to highlight the university that means so much to them, while others simply want timeless photographs in beautiful surroundings. My goal is always to blend both—creating images that showcase these incredible locations while keeping your connection at the center of every photograph.
If you’re planning your own engagement session, I’d love to help you find the perfect locations and create a relaxed experience that results in beautiful, natural images you’ll love for years to come.
