There is something so beautiful about a summer engagement session in the Midwest, especially when you get a sunset like this one! Tessa and John’s engagement photos at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area gave us everything from tall prairie grasses and summer wildflowers to the prettiest pink sky to end the evening.
Before heading to Marengo Ridge, though, we started their engagement session about 20 minutes away in downtown Woodstock, Illinois. The combination gave Tessa and John two completely different looks for their engagement photos and made for such a fun summer evening.
Engagement Photos in Downtown Woodstock, Illinois
We started Tessa and John’s session around Woodstock Square, which is filled with historic architecture, charming storefronts and so many little pockets for photos. It was the perfect contrast to the natural setting we had planned for the second half of their session.
And on a completely personal note, I loved photographing here because downtown Woodstock was one of the primary filming locations for Groundhog Day. As a huge Bill Murray fan, I was obviously a little excited about that one!
Tessa and John have been together for five years, but their story actually goes all the way back to their freshman year of high school. They met as freshmen and have been together ever since, which made getting to document this next chapter of their relationship especially sweet.
After wandering around downtown and getting some of my favorite images around the square, we headed toward Marengo for their second outfit and sunset.
Engagement Photos at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area
Marengo Ridge Conservation Area was absolutely beautiful for the second half of their engagement session. During the summer, the tall grasses and wildflowers create such a soft, natural backdrop for engagement photos in Marengo, Illinois.
Tessa changed into a white dress while John chose a soft blue shirt and khaki pants, and their neutral colors looked so good against all of the greens and yellow wildflowers.
But the real gift of the evening was the sunset.
As the sun started dropping behind the prairie, the entire sky turned the prettiest shades of soft pink and lavender. We spent the last part of their session walking through the trails, taking advantage of the wildflowers and soaking up every bit of that gorgeous summer light.
It was the perfect ending to such a beautiful evening with these two!
I loved getting to spend the evening with Tessa and John and cannot wait for everything ahead for these two! Their wedding next summer in Harvard is going to be the absolute best day ever!
Planning Engagement Photos at Marengo Ridge Conservation Area?
If you love engagement photos that feel natural, colorful and romantic, Marengo Ridge Conservation Area is such a beautiful option in northern Illinois. Pairing it with downtown Woodstock also gives you the best of both worlds—a more classic, architectural setting followed by open fields, wildflowers and sunset. I would love to capture it for you! Contact me to set it up!
